GRID Networking / POE-Jack® · AV & HDMI over IP · Canada
AV & HDMI Over IP in Canada: Cleaner Installs with POE-Jack® and GRID Networking
How to build HDMI and AV over IP systems in Canada with fewer power bricks, cleaner walls and PoE-powered receivers — using GRID Networking / POE-Jack® as the structured cabling and power backbone.
If you’ve ever opened a TV millwork, bar soffit or projector hatch and found a power bar, three wall warts and a cheap HDMI extender dangling in mid-air, you know why AV and HDMI over IP sometimes gets a bad reputation.
The problem usually isn’t the HDMI over IP technology itself — it’s how it’s powered, cabled and physically installed. In this guide, we’ll walk through how Canadian installers can use GRID Networking / POE-Jack® to deliver:
- Cleaner walls and ceilings (no visible bricks or “mystery boxes” behind TVs)
- Centralised PoE power using GRID PoE / PoE++ switches in the rack
- Serviceable, labeled cabling that any tech can support later
- Upgradeable AV zones for future sources, displays and formats
Quick answer – what this PoE-first AV pattern looks like
Most messy AV installs in Canada look the same: power bars behind TVs, wall warts hanging out of open plates, cheap HDMI baluns and a rat’s nest of cables in the rack. You can replace a lot of that with in-wall PoE switches and HDMI over IP.
A typical clean pattern looks like this:
- A GRID PoE switch in the rack (for example POEJK-S8-240, POEJK-S16-480 or POEJK-S48-750E) acting as the AV “power plant”.
- One 23-AWG Cat6e permanent link (e.g. POEJC6E-CMP) from the rack to each AV zone.
- An APOEJK2-WH in-wall PoE switch plate or a POEJK-CPE1 ceiling consolidation box at the display.
- A POEJK-HDMIE HDMI-over-IP kit (plus extra POEJK-HDMIER receivers where needed) and/or a POEJK-DS1 PoE Android signage player patched into that plate.
The display sees a short HDMI jumper and maybe a tidy brush plate. All the “magic” — power, switching and IP routing — lives in the PoE network, not in a pile of boxes behind the TV.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for people searching for practical “HDMI over IP with PoE in Canada” and looking for designs that both AV and IT teams can live with.
- AV integrators and low-voltage contractors designing conference rooms, churches, bars and classrooms.
- IT teams inheriting AV systems and wanting everything to look like clean, structured cabling.
- Venue, retail and hospitality operators rolling out digital signage, menu boards and multi-TV layouts.
- School, campus and municipal teams supporting lecture halls, arenas and council chambers.
- Consultants and engineers aligning AV, networking, LEED and Canadian code requirements.
What HDMI over IP actually is (in plain language)
HDMI over IP (or AV over IP) takes a normal HDMI source — a media player, signage PC, presentation switcher or set-top box — and sends that audio/video over a standard Ethernet network instead of a dedicated HDMI cable.
An encoder converts HDMI into IP packets that travel across your Cat6 or fibre network to a decoder or receiver at each display. The receiver converts those IP streams back into HDMI, which then plugs into the TV, projector or LED wall.
In practice that means:
- You’re building a networked AV system, not a one-off HDMI run.
- You can move or add displays by patching switch ports instead of fishing new HDMI cables.
- You can often power receivers via PoE, eliminating separate power bricks at each screen.
The catch: if you ignore physical layout, rack design and low-voltage best practices, it all turns into chaos. That’s exactly where GRID Networking / POE-Jack® helps.
Why traditional AV racks get messy in Canada
Baluns, bricks and spaghetti
Classic AV designs run long HDMI cables through walls and ceilings, then bolt on HDMI-over-Cat baluns whenever that isn’t practical. Each extender usually comes with its own power brick, so you end up with:
- Power bars and wall warts stuffed behind wall-mounted TVs.
- Extension cords snaked through millwork, ceilings or (worse) walls.
- Devices unplugged by cleaners or tenants because they look like “random chargers”.
- Heat build-up in tight cabinets — not great in Canadian winter heating conditions.
Point-to-point wiring that doesn’t scale
Point-to-point HDMI/cat kits are fine for a single screen, but they break down when you need:
- Many displays fed from a few sources (lobbies, restaurants, campuses).
- Flexible routing of any source to any screen instead of fixed, hard-wired paths.
- Centralised control and monitoring from the network side.
Racks that both AV and IT hate
On the rack side, it’s common to see:
- A shelf of HDMI extenders, splitters and power strips, each powering one mystery box.
- No visibility into which brick powers which endpoint.
- Limited UPS coverage — some bricks on UPS, some on raw 120 V circuits.
- Mixed AV and network cabling that’s nearly impossible to document after the fact.
Moving AV to IP and PoE doesn’t automatically fix this — but using PoE as a DC microgrid with POE-Jack® at the edge absolutely does.
Where GRID Networking / POE-Jack® fits
GRID Networking / POE-Jack® isn’t a replacement for your HDMI-over-IP encoders/decoders — it’s the structured cabling, PoE power and in-wall/ceiling infrastructure that makes those devices look professional in a real building.
Key building blocks
- GRID PoE / PoE++ switches (POEJK-S8-240, POEJK-S16-480, POEJK-S48-750E) – the “power plant” for your DC microgrid, feeding power and data to AV endpoints.
- In-wall PoE switches like APOEJK2-WH – one Cat6 uplink in from the rack, multiple PoE ports out behind TVs or projectors; no surface boxes or desk switches.
- HDMI-over-IP kits and extra receivers (POEJK-HDMIE, POEJK-HDMIER) – move HDMI over the LAN and draw power from PoE at the display.
- DS1 PoE Android media player (POEJK-DS1) – a PoE-powered signage player that feeds HDMI directly into a display at a POE-Jack® zone.
- Patch platforms and keystones (POEJKPP6-24 with JK6 keystones) – build labeled, serviceable terminations for every run at the rack and IDF.
- Ceiling consolidation (POEJK-CPE1) – a dropped-ceiling enclosure that hides plates and endpoints while keeping them accessible for service.
- Extenders like POEJK-2WIRE – push Ethernet and PoE over existing 2-wire or coax when opening walls isn’t realistic, ideal for Canadian retrofits and heritage buildings.
- 23-AWG Cat6e cabling (e.g. POEJC6E-CMP) – permanent links designed for higher-power PoE and AV loads in real buildings.
Used together, these pieces turn an HDMI-over-IP system into a tidy structured cabling plant with centralised PoE, patchable ports and clean walls.
Design patterns: conference rooms, signage, worship & bars
Let’s ground this in real-world Canadian projects. Here are patterns you can copy-paste and adapt.
Pattern 1 – Clean conference room display on HDMI over IP
Goal: One or two displays at the front of a meeting room, with sources in a rack or credenza.
- Rack / closet
- GRID PoE switch (e.g. POEJK-S8-240 or POEJK-S16-480) powering receivers and room PoE devices.
- Terminations on a POEJKPP6-24 panel with JK6 keystones for each room drop.
- HDMI-over-IP encoder near the source devices (codec, in-room PC, BYOD hub).
- At the display wall
- Single 23-AWG Cat6e from the rack to an APOEJK2-WH in-wall PoE switch behind the TV.
- POEJK-HDMIE / POEJK-HDMIER receiver patched into the in-wall switch.
- Short certified HDMI patch cable to the display.
The client sees: a TV on the wall and maybe a brush plate. You see: one labeled Cat6 home run, a PoE HDMI receiver you can reboot remotely, and spare PoE ports for a room controller or AP.
Pattern 2 – Lobby / corridor digital signage with DS1
Goal: Several displays through a lobby, hallway or waiting area running shared or scheduled content.
- Rack / IDF
- Central GRID PoE switch feeding all digital signage drops.
- One or more POEJK-DS1 media players, or HDMI-over-IP encoders, depending on content platform.
- Dedicated AV VLAN for signage content.
- At each display
- Single Cat6e run to the TV location.
- Option A: DS1 player powered from an APOEJK2-WH plate behind the display.
- Option B: DS1 or HDMI receiver concealed in a POEJK-CPE1 ceiling box with short HDMI to each screen.
No stacks of consumer HDMI sticks on every TV, far fewer receptacles, and PoE-powered players you can cycle from the switch UI.
Pattern 3 – Church or community hall projector
Goal: Get video from a booth or AV closet to a ceiling projector 20–50 m away, cleanly.
- At the booth / rack
- Mixing console, PC or presentation device feeding an HDMI-over-IP encoder.
- Encoder patched into a GRID PoE switch (e.g. POEJK-S8-240).
- In the ceiling
- Cat6e from rack to a POEJK-CPE1 dropped-ceiling enclosure near the projector.
- Inside the CPE1: an HDMI-over-IP receiver (POEJK-HDMIE/HDMIER) powered from an internal APOEJK plate.
- Short HDMI jumper to the projector.
The congregation never sees the gear; you get a secure, serviceable consolidation point with PoE handling power.
Pattern 4 – Restaurant / sports bar multi-display
Goal: A handful (or dozens) of TVs all showing a mix of shared and independent sources.
- Back-of-house / AV rack
- Multiple sources (cable/satellite boxes, streaming devices, signage PCs).
- HDMI-over-IP encoders feeding a dedicated GRID PoE switch or VLAN for AV traffic.
- At each TV or cluster
- Cat6e home run to a bulkhead, soffit or CPE1 near the TV cluster.
- APOEJK2-WH plate behind each TV or inside CPE1 where feasible.
- POEJK-HDMIER receiver fed from the plate, HDMI jumper to the display.
With everything labeled on POEJKPP6-24, staff can tell support “TV 4 in bar, port 12” instead of “the TV beside the dartboard,” which is a big win for remote troubleshooting.
Cabling, PoE budget and VLAN tips for stable HDMI over IP
Use proper cabling and distances
- Run Cat6 or Cat6A, 23-AWG where possible, especially for PoE++ loads and long runs.
- Respect typical 100 m Ethernet segments from switch to endpoint; use additional switches, media converters or fibre for longer paths.
- Avoid daisy-chaining passive extenders on top of HDMI over IP — keep the path simple: source → encoder → switch → receiver → display.
Plan PoE budget like it’s a power panel
- List HDMI-over-IP receivers, DS1 players, in-wall PoE plates, APs and cameras per switch.
- Sum their worst-case wattage and compare with the total PoE budget of your chosen GRID switch.
- Leave 20–30 % headroom for future devices and cold-room derating in Canadian conditions.
Keep AV traffic predictable
- Use a dedicated AV VLAN, or at least QoS, for HDMI-over-IP traffic.
- For bigger systems, park AV on its own GRID PoE switch uplinked to the core instead of sharing a busy office switch.
- Document which ports are AV, which are data and which feed in-wall PoE plates or CPE1 zones.
Retrofits: reusing coax and 2-wire, plus fibre backbones
Using POEJK-2WIRE over legacy copper
In many Canadian buildings, especially older commercial stock, you’ll find legacy coax or 2-wire drops at TV locations. When opening walls is off the table, extenders like POEJK-2WIRE can bridge the gap:
- Use existing 2-wire/coax from rack to display location where structurally sound and permitted.
- Terminate into a POEJK-2WIRE pair, presenting RJ45 Ethernet at both ends.
- Feed that Ethernet into your GRID PoE switch at the rack and into a PoE HDMI receiver or DS1 player at the display.
It’s not a magic fix for every situation, but it can save time and disruption where a full re-wire isn’t realistic. Always respect cable condition, distance limits and local code when reusing existing infrastructure.
Fibre backbones for campuses and arenas
Once AV traffic needs to cross parking lots, arenas or multiple buildings, copper hits its limits. A common pattern is:
- Run single-mode or multi-mode fibre between telecom rooms or buildings.
- Use PoE-capable media converters or SFP uplinks to bring that fibre back to Gigabit Ethernet.
- Land on GRID PoE switches that feed POE-Jack® plates, HDMI-over-IP endpoints and APs in each zone.
You get long-reach, lightning-resistant fibre where you need it and still land on familiar PoE ports at the edge for displays, Wi-Fi, cameras and control.
Design patterns & recommended GRID combos
These examples show how GRID Networking and POE-Jack® components combine for clean AV and HDMI-over-IP installs in Canadian buildings. Adjust quantities and wattage to your project.
| Scenario | Best GRID / POE-Jack® combo | Why it beats typical alternatives | Canadian / LEED gotcha ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-size conference room |
POEJK-S8-240 PoE switch in AV rack + APOEJK2-WH behind main display + POEJK-HDMIE / POEJK-HDMIER receiver at TV + optional POEJK-DS1 for room signage. |
Replaces long HDMI runs, desk switches and random bricks with a PoE hub at the display and a single Cat6 home run to the rack. | Confirm in-wall cable ratings and keep HDMI patch lengths reasonable for 4K; consider a second plate if you plan to power a touch panel and AP from the same zone. |
| Lobby / corporate signage |
POEJK-S16-480 or POEJK-S48-750E as central PoE core + distributed APOEJK2-WH plates or POEJK-CPE1 boxes + POEJK-DS1 players and/or HDMI-over-IP receivers at displays. |
PoE powers players and receivers, HDMI runs stay short and all endpoints can be monitored from the network side instead of hunting through ceilings. | Lobbies with large glass see wide temperature swings; check device ratings and allow airflow in ceiling boxes. |
| Sports bar / restaurant |
POEJK-S48-750E as AV “power plant” + multiple APOEJK2-WH plates in ceiling pockets + POEJK-HDMIE / POEJK-HDMIER receivers at each TV cluster + optional DS1 players for menu boards and promos. |
HDMI-over-IP and PoE allow flexible routing, remote reboots and fewer receptacles or power bars behind TVs. | Kitchens and lines are hot and greasy; use appropriate enclosures and follow local rules for gear above food prep areas. |
| Lecture hall / classroom |
POEJK-S48-750E in teaching rack + APOEJK2-WH or POEJK-CPE1 at front-of-room hub + HDMI-over-IP receivers for main and overflow displays + one POEJK-DS1 for between-class signage. |
Keeps instructor area tidy while giving campus IT clear network visibility of every receiver and player. | Coordinate VLANs, QoS and multicast with campus networking; treat AV endpoints like any other IP devices. |
| Small church or community hall |
POEJK-S8-240 PoE switch in AV rack + 1–2 APOEJK2-WH plates feeding HDMI-over-IP receivers and an AP + optional DS1 for announcement slides and events. |
Uses a simple PoE switch and Cat6 to reach projectors and TVs; easier for volunteers to support than mixed consumer gear. | Keep labeling simple and clear so non-technical staff can see which port feeds which screen. |
Where HDMI over IP fits (and where it doesn’t)
Excellent fit
- Conference rooms, huddle rooms and multi-purpose meeting spaces.
- Bars, restaurants, lobbies and hotel common areas with many 1080p/4K screens.
- Classrooms, lecture halls, training rooms and council chambers.
- Digital signage clusters in retail, campuses and arenas.
Good fit with planning
- Large venues where AV and IT share a plant but need careful QoS and VLAN design.
- Retrofits in older Canadian buildings where you want to reuse pathways but still follow CEC and local inspection rules.
Use other approaches instead
- Ultra-low-latency broadcast video and certain live production workflows.
- Situations requiring uncompressed or very high-bitrate video beyond what your HDMI-over-IP gear supports.
- Projects where active electronics are not allowed in specific plenums or heritage spaces.
Many real projects end up with a hybrid strategy: PoE HDMI-over-IP and POE-Jack® zones for most screens, plus a few direct HDMI or SDI paths for special cases.
Canada-specific considerations: cold, code and ceilings
Temperature swings near glass, entrances and parkades
Lobbies, vestibules and parkade-adjacent areas can see extreme temperature swings. When placing DS1 players, HDMI-over-IP endpoints and POE-Jack® plates:
- Check device temperature ratings and derating guidance for Canadian climates.
- Avoid placing gear directly above heaters, in uninsulated exterior walls or tight sealed cavities.
- Prefer POEJK-CPE1 consolidation boxes with some airflow for gear above ceilings.
Ceiling spaces, plenum ratings and access
When you hide AV and PoE gear in ceilings:
- Confirm if the space is plenum or non-plenum and choose CMP/CMR cables accordingly.
- Use proper consolidation points such as POEJK-CPE1 instead of resting gear on tiles.
- Coordinate with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) about powered devices in ceiling spaces.
Shared risers and LEED-style “dematerialisation”
Moving AV onto the same PoE and structured cabling plant as Wi-Fi and cameras reduces total copper, conduit and power devices compared with separate AV cabling. That “dematerialisation” can support LEED and sustainability narratives when you document how many power bricks, receptacles and home-run cables you’re eliminating.
Canada-ready AV checklist – HDMI over IP with POE-Jack®
- ✓ Identify all displays, projectors and signage locations (with heights and mounting details).
- ✓ Decide which endpoints get PoE-powered HDMI receivers vs. simple data jacks.
- ✓ Choose where APOEJK2-WH in-wall PoE plates or POEJK-CPE1 consolidation boxes make sense.
- ✓ Size GRID PoE switches (POEJK-S8-240 / S16-480 / S48-750E) for both port count and PoE budget.
- ✓ Use 23-AWG Cat6e for permanent runs; reserve slim patch for short jumpers at racks and plates.
- ✓ Define AV VLAN(s), QoS and IP addressing ahead of time with your IT team.
- ✓ Label plates, patch panels, CPE1 lids and switch ports with clear zone/screen IDs.
- ✓ Plan UPS coverage so critical screens (menus, safety messaging, wayfinding) stay online in short outages.
- ✓ Capture as-built drawings, port maps and device MAC/IP lists for future service.
FAQ – HDMI over IP with POE-Jack®
Is HDMI over IP with PoE reliable enough for bars, churches and conference rooms?
In most Canadian installations, yes — provided you treat it like a network project. Use quality GRID PoE switches, 23-AWG bulk cabling, reasonable PoE headroom and labelled POE-Jack® plates. When something goes wrong, you can see link and PoE status from the switch instead of guessing which balun or brick died.
Can POE-Jack® support both HDMI over IP and Wi-Fi in the same zone?
That’s a common design. An APOEJK2-WH plate can power a PoE HDMI-over-IP receiver, a DS1 player and a nearby access point, as long as the upstream PoE switch is sized correctly. For heavier loads, you can allocate two plates or use a POEJK-CPE1 hub to split devices across multiple uplinks.
Do I still need electrical outlets behind displays?
In most cases, yes — the TV or projector itself still needs AC power. The PoE design removes the extra bricks for extenders, players and sticks. Many projects end up with a single clean receptacle and a tidy low-voltage box instead of power bars and adapters hanging in space.
Does this approach lock us into POE-Jack® only?
No. POE-Jack® plates and GRID PoE switches are standards-based Ethernet and PoE. They’re designed to play nicely with third-party HDMI-over-IP encoders, decoders, DSPs and control processors that follow the same IEEE and cabling requirements.
How does this compare on cost to traditional HDMI baluns and point-to-point runs?
Individual endpoints and POE-Jack® plates cost more than basic baluns, but you save on cabling complexity, electrical work, troubleshooting time and future changes. Over the life of a busy venue, the ability to patch sources, monitor PoE and add screens without opening walls usually wins on total cost of ownership.
Do I need managed PoE switches for AV over IP?
For serious AV work, yes. Managed PoE switches give you per-port PoE control, monitoring, VLANs and QoS — especially important if you share switches between AV, Wi-Fi, cameras and data. GRID PoE switches are designed with this AV-plus-IT use case in mind.
Next steps & how to spec GRID Networking / POE-Jack®
Ready to clean up your AV racks and displays with HDMI over IP and POE-Jack®?
- Browse the GRID Networking / POE-Jack® collection for in-wall PoE switches, HDMI-over-IP kits, DS1 players, cabling and accessories.
- Pair this guide with our digital signage article and renovation & retrofit guide for full “from walls-open to screens-on” design coverage.
- If you’re an integrator or consultant, visit Become a Dealer to access dealer pricing and project support.
- Want help turning a floor plan into a bill of materials? Use the contact form and ask for a POE-Jack® AV & HDMI over IP design review.
Treat AV like the rest of your network: structured cabling, PoE power and clear documentation. POE-Jack® and GRID give you the pieces — this article gives you the patterns.