Ethernet Cables Can Also Carry Video, Audio and Power, Engadget Reports

For video over distance, Engadget said category cables such as Cat5e or Cat6 can be paired with HDMI extenders. The adapters use a transmitter at one end and a receiver at the other, with the Ethernet cable serving as the connection between them. That setup can send video farther than a typical HDMI cable, which is usually used for two devices that are relatively close together. Engadget said the arrangement is not Ethernet networking; AV over IP, by contrast, uses a local network to transmit audio and video. In the extender setup, the category cable simply carries the signal. It could be useful if an unused cable is already in a wall or if a signal needs to reach a distant device such as a projector.

Even in those cases, Engadget said, the approach is not necessarily the best solution. Active optical HDMI can also handle long distances, and some cables support formats such as 4K at 120Hz that many extenders do not. The publication described category cables as a potentially useful option for some niche setups rather than a go-to solution.

The same category cables can also carry multiple channels of analog audio. With the right adapters, Engadget said, a single cable can carry several channels. A studio, for example, could use it to connect microphones in one room to recording gear in another without pulling a bunch of individual cables through a wall. For most setups, standard XLR cables are easier and pretty cheap, according to the report. But if the wiring is already there, category cable can replace several cable runs with one. Some setups also need shielded cable, especially if microphones get power through the connection.

Power over Ethernet, or PoE, is another use. Engadget said PoE lets one Ethernet cable carry both data and power, which is especially handy for security cameras, Wi-Fi access points and other devices that are not near an outlet. A camera on a porch, for instance, could use one Ethernet cable for both power and its network connection, or a cable could run to a Wi-Fi access point on a ceiling. The cable needs to lead back to an accessory that provides PoE, such as a compatible switch or injector.

Unlike the video and audio applications, Engadget said PoE is not just an oddball option but a truly useful standard. Even so, equipment must support PoE and provide enough power for the device being connected.

Editor's Summary

Engadget reported that Ethernet cables can carry video, audio and power in addition to their usual networking role. HDMI extenders, audio adapters and PoE equipment enable those secondary uses, though alternatives such as active optical HDMI and standard XLR cables may be better in many cases. PoE stands out as a widely useful standard for devices such as security cameras and Wi-Fi access points.