Unbelievable how Quick and Cheap Technology has Changed

[kblagron]

So 10 years ago I wanted a video distribution solution and chose the B&K HD-6 that provided 6 zones of Component Video distributed via Cat5.  It worked great at the time, but after buying the unit and the 6 receivers I was out close to $3000. 

I have held on to the HD6 longer than I should, especially with HDMI finally getting distributed on just one Cat5e wire.  This week I purchased the J-Tech 1x4 HDMI splitter that comes with the base unit plus 4 satellite receivers for $199.  I had been using a couple of J-Tech extenders and splitters over the past two years and felt comfortable that the company made a product that would hold up, and this new unit is amazing so far.  I always had issues with honeycombing on the HD-6 (probably due to electrical interference), but all the video on the J-Tech is fantastic (and the signal includes sound that the HD-6 didn't).

It's not anything that can be controlled, but of course the DirecTV and the TV's it broadcasts signals to can.  

It's tough retiring the HD-6, but it will have to go the way of the Sony CX777 and numerous other items that I have tried but didn't like.  As a HA hobbyist, its fun when something you buy works, which is never guaranteed.  One of these days I am going to have to add up all the stuff that I bought and retired, never used, or never liked.

[sic0048]

I have a B&K CT600 and my parents system has a B&K CT610 that have worked really well, but I never tried the HD6. Both systems use an Autopatch matrix switch to distribute HD video via component video (three wires of mini-coax). It required more cables to be run initially, but it has been flawless in operation and the picture quality is excellent.

But with more devices being designed with only HDMI outputs, I can see a day where I will have to replace the autopatch with some sort of HDMI switcher too.