If I use an HDMI-to-Ethernet transmitter to send video over a network cable, do I have to convert it back to HDMI at the other end? Could the Ethernet stream be sent directly to a computer and used like a capture card, or would I need a special network video receiver or software?
4 Answers
For a direct computer connection, look at network video systems such as NDI. These encode the HDMI input into a video stream that can travel over Ethernet and be received by compatible software or hardware. They can work like a network capture device, but usually introduce some latency and may compress the video.
It depends on the type of HDMI-over-Ethernet device. Basic HDMI extenders usually aren’t sending a normal TCP/IP video stream—they’re simply transporting the HDMI signal over the cable. The receiver must convert it back to HDMI, and a separate capture card would still be needed to get it into a computer.
Some HDMI-over-IP products can function as network capture devices, but they’re generally more expensive than simple HDMI extenders and may have limitations with resolution, refresh rate, color format, or copy-protected content. Check whether the specific transmitter provides a standard network stream or requires its own receiver.
That’s the part I wasn’t sure about. If the device only works with its matching receiver, then I’d still need an HDMI capture device for the PC.
HDBaseT and similar systems are mainly intended for sending video to a distant display, not for feeding a computer. In many cases the simplest setup is HDMI over a long cable or extender, followed by a normal capture card at the destination. A network-based solution makes more sense when you specifically need routing, recording, or access from multiple computers.
So the inexpensive extenders are basically just replacing a long HDMI cable, rather than creating a usable network video stream?