Question Using Gaming PC in Living Room via HDMI+USB Extensions?

Bobsy

Member
Jan 5, 2010
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I'm doing home renovations and the inside of all walls and ceilings between my home office (main floor) and new TV room (basement) is accessible. I was thinking about running an HDMI cable and a USB extension cable from my gaming PC to my receiver/TV downstairs. Is this a crazy idea or does it actually make sense? I am hoping to be able to use my gaming PC on the TV downstairs, using a USB hub to plug in a couple of controllers, a wireless keyboard and a mouse.
 

CP5670

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
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I have this type of setup, but the PC is near the TV and only the mouse/KB are far away. USB can do at least 20' with a remotely powered hub, while HDMI (especially 2.1) needs a fiber cable or active repeaters beyond a point.
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
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Specifics, specifics, specifics... What distance, what HDMI standard is acceptable (what resolution and refresh rate is the max you want to achieve)? Passive HDMI2.0 can go 20-30 feet, with a good quality cable, or 2.1, 10ft (or less, again cable quality matters), or with a more expensive active cable you can more than double that.

USB has a similar situation, good cabling will get you at least 15ft USB2 with a passive cable, closer to 30ft with an active repeater cable, or closer to half that with an active repeater USB3 cable. You'll probably also want a powered hub in the TV room rather than passive.
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
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^ The linked product won't do more than 1080p @ 60Hz. Maybe that's enough, but setting something up today, I'd shoot for a minimum of 4K @ 60Hz 4:4:4, which needs a 17.82Gbps or higher connection.
 

Bobsy

Member
Jan 5, 2010
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I've decided not to run cables between the two rooms. Too many drawbacks and potential problems. I'll just have to decide where I want my gaming PC! Thank you to those who replied for enlightening me on cable limitations.