Ethernet cables offer video, audio and power options with adapters
Cat5e and Cat6 can serve uses beyond networking, but performance depends on the adapters and connected equipment.
Category cables such as Cat5e and Cat6 can carry video and analogue audio with suitable adapters, while Power over Ethernet can deliver data and power along one cable. Engadget outlines these options as useful for particular installations, with compatibility and equipment requirements shaping what works.
For video over longer distances, HDMI extenders place a transmitter and receiver at either end of the category cable. The cable carries the signal between them; it is not being used for Ethernet networking. That differs from AV over IP, which sends audio or video across a network.
This approach may suit an existing in-wall cable run or a distant device such as a projector. Engadget notes that active optical HDMI can also serve long distances, and some cables support formats such as 4K at 120Hz that many extenders may not.
With the right adapters, one category cable can also carry several channels of analogue audio, potentially replacing multiple runs between rooms. Standard XLR cables may be simpler for many setups, and some microphone connections may require shielded cable.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) carries data and power over one cable, and can be used for devices such as security cameras and Wi-Fi access points. The cable must connect to compatible PoE equipment, such as a switch or injector, with enough power for the device.
