How to Wire a Venue for 3D TV

DPI suggests: "Pull two HDMI 1.3 cables, two to three single-link DVI or one to two dual-link DVI."

By Digital Projection International
March 05, 2010

It’s time once again to ask that age old question: “How do I plan for the future of 3D without a Crystal Ball?”

Most everyone has been teased with quality 3D by means of “Avatar.” Some have seen killer demonstrations of 3D on flat panels or DPI’s TITAN 1080p 3D, but how do you prepare your clients for the future of 3D?

More importantly, how do you pre-wire current and future projects to ensure installations are fully 3D capable?

As always, the best way to prepare for the future is to learn from the past and research the present.

Learn from HDMI 1.1

The first cables and devices left us all with enough headaches to keep Advil in business for another 50 years. We found digital, unlike analog, very unforgiving.

You either have an excellent picture, or you have nothing.

And “nothing” means no easy means of troubleshooting.

Additionally, we’ve learned that the best time to pull cable is before drywall is up and the job is finished. Attempting to snake long HDMI or DVI cables through existing conduit or through finished walls and ceilings is a thankless and difficult task.

Finally, let’s remember that there is always a company that will build a black box that accepts one format and converts to another.

Now, let’s look at what we know from the present. First, HDMI 1.2, 1.3 and DVI are all compatible. The current 120Hz 1080p 3D graphics cards found in servers output either 2X DVI, 2X HDMI 1.2, or a single dual link DVI cable.

In all of these cases you can find discrete left and right eye information, a data line, and a clock. Current Stereoscopic players used on media servers actually play two files (left eye file and right eye file) simultaneously. In this case, each file is a full 1080p 60Hz.

So, to plan for the maximum bandwidth scenario we need enough bandwidth to carry 2x 1080p 60Hz content from the source rack to the projector. In addition, current IR emitters must link to both the projector and the source. Since this is only a square wave, a single BNC cable will suffice.

Pulling it Together

Considering the above, the signal will undoubtedly be digital. The digital packet will be something less than 2x the current HDMI 1.3 standard. HDMI 1.3 cables are finally reliable enough that we all have our favorite trusted brands.

To support the highest-quality 3D sources and displays, we suggest you pull a minimum of two, preferably three HDMI 1.3 cables, two to three single-link DVI cables or one to two dual-link DVI cable from the source rack to the projector.

For troubleshooting, you can always use a 2D 1080 source and test either the HDMI 1.3 cables or the single-link DVI cables for comparative performance.

If the long term connection turns out to be HDMI 1.4, there will certainly be companies like Extron or Gefen that will allow you to carry that digital package over two HDMI 1.3 or single-link DVI cables, or via the dual link DVI cable and then recombine them in a black box that outputs (or inputs) HDMI 1.4.

That way, in the short-term, you won’t have to worry about running high bandwidth signals over brand-new, untested cables. In addition, HDMI 1.3 and single link DVI cables are likely to be a fraction of the price of the first generation HDMI 1.4 cables (when they finally come out).

Running the 120Hz 3D sources via this “dual pipe” format keeps each individual signal at 60Hz, and over long cables runs, this will prevent any unnecessary bit fall-off and green sparklies.

A high speed data line like Cat 6 is also a good idea to provide added bandwidth and connectivity. Once again, look at all the boxes made that connect source format “A” to Cat 6, distribute Cat 6, and then black box back to format “A” on the other end.

As is always the case with HDMI 1.3 copper cables, be very cautious about runs over 50 feet. Installation situations requiring runs beyond 50-inch should employ fiber-optic cables.

The above mentioned cabling will provide excellent signal distribution, capable of supporting today’s state of the art graphics and media cards, as well as the diversity of 120Hz 1080p 3D content and sources that lie in our future.

source: http://www.cepro.com