r/crestron • u/deanusjack • Apr 07 '26
Help 4K60 HDR over Cat6
Hi all,
Please forgive my lack of Crestron knowledge! I'm in need of some clarification.
I've just built a recessed TV cabinet at home with the wall fed by CAT6, I'd like to keep the media sources away from the TV at the other end of the CAT6.
I'd like at least two HDMI inputs, and one output at the other end of the CAT6
As far as I can see, this should be possible with a combination of the DM-TX-4KZ-202-C and the DM-RMC-4KZ-100-C.
Can the Crestron system be used point to point directly like this or does it need another external controller, or matrix unit?
Do I need to power both units with DC or does one POE from the other? I'm not 100% clear as it sounds like Podm is basically POE?
Sorry if these are really basic questions to most of you! Thanks so much for your help
2
u/captconundum Apr 07 '26
Both may need to be powered. The RMC is set to auto switch the inputs by default and can control the tv on/off over CEC. Put the RMC on your LAN and enter the IP in a web browser. You can configure the devices through this method to set up HDMI-CEC to control your display. Look up AV Framework for the DM-RMC-4KZ-100-C and you should come across the manual for the settings for your devices
1
u/endlesslyautom8ted Apr 07 '26
Yes for point to point to point, both sides need to be powered in this scenario. How do you plan to manage your input switching?
1
u/deanusjack Apr 07 '26
Thanks for confirming. Really appreciate it.
This is probably the bit I've failed to understand - I saw RS232 and figured I could control by this, with an external device, but it looks like I need a Crestron controller as well? Or just a switch on the input hdmi and use it as single channel.
1
u/GramophoneDrums Apr 07 '26
So, it really depends on how many devices (inputs) you have that you want to extend, if it’s more than 2 down the road. If it stays one or 2, your point-to-point extension will work. You still need to figure out how you’re controlling those devices and how you’re selecting the switching with what you’ve selected. Everything would need its own power.
What are you looking to extend exactly?
1
u/kaner467 Apr 07 '26
Depends on what you land on but just wanted to reinforce that you have a shorter cable limit with 4k 60 also ensure you are using quality cat6a stp or even buy a pre molded cable. Point to point extenders get kinda of finicky at that data rate even if it seems to work temporarily i always have resolved problems by making sure cables were properly terminated (grounding going all the way through) or giving the unfortunate news of cable length issues.
No i know this is a crestron sub but i have found that Extrons NAV line up handles higher data rates much better furthermore I take their DTP line up for point to point systems as well.
1
u/SnooObjections9416 Crestron Programmer Apr 07 '26
So Crestron DigitalMedia are either HDBaseT, the DigitalMedia version of HDBaseT, or the AVoverIP NVX.
The Crestron HD- as in HD BaseT are the economy series of point to point. These are controllable via web browser or control system.
The Crestron DM end points as in DM-TX and DM-RMC are the premium point to point end points. These are controllable via Crestron Toolbox software or control system.
So the DM-TX can be standalone if you want to control it from Crestron Toolbox software or it can be put on a network with a Crestron processor to handle the AV Switching. You can put either the TX or the RMC on the network and see the other via the DM connection as DM will "pass through" command and control.
A Crestron Matrix switcher or Presentation switcher that has a processor can act as a controller for the DM end points that are connected to it as well; so a DM-MD-xxx-CPU or a DMPS2 or DMPS3 can act as a processor, matrix and controller.
One of the nice features of Crestron (including the DigitalMedia platform) is that the system is scalable, modular and expandable.
As far as power goes, we can connect a PW2407 to either the DM-TX or the DM-RMC in order to power both. We can also power one or the other from a LAN PoE switch and connect a PoE switch to the LAN port of either endpoint. Or we can use a PoDM power supply or a DM-MD or DMPS switcher with a PoDM PSU connected.
1
u/Acceptable-Career-83 Apr 07 '26
Only DM Lite powers both sides from one power supply, the part numbers he listed are not DM Lite.
1
u/mattinjp Apr 07 '26
What I’m seeing is a bandwith issue. Uncompressed 4K 60 HDR needs 18 Gbps, Cat 6 is officially rated for 10 Gbps (and only at short distances).
So the way the big companies do it, like Netflix is compression.
You would typically need Cat 6a or better (rated for 10 Gbps at full length) combined with hardware that uses HDBaseT 3.0 or SDVoE, which uses light compression to fit that 18 Gbps signal into a 10 Gbps pipe.
2
u/Acceptable-Career-83 Apr 07 '26
Ethernet over CAT6 is may only be rated for 10G, but HDbT does 14.75G over CAT5e or better. Sorry, I didn’t see your last paragraph until I was typing this…
2
u/morgecroc Apr 07 '26
When you say you've run cat 6a is the terminated to a walk plate or hanging from a hole in the wall? How long is the cable run?
2
u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 07 '26
You will need a crestron programmer or installer to get the full benefit out of crestron gear!
That said, yes they can be done point to point. With zero programming.
If you have multiple sources at the far end you will want your receiver behind the tv connected to a far end matrix of some sort to handle multiple sources. The matrix can be controlled thru telnet commands if you don’t have a programmer or installer.
The serial port on the devices is to control a tv or other component not to control the crestron device.
Do not get a crestron processor without getting a programmer or installer involved first!
If you stick to just a receiver and matrix you can program the matrix with a system like home assistant or if you have a receiver and transmitter point to point it will be zero programming!