Introduction; Overview - Black Box AC1000A User Manual

CAT5 MULTI VGA SYSTEM

2. Introduction

2.1 Overview

The CAT5 Multi VGA System extends VGA video signals over ordinary Category 5
cable. All models support RGBHV, RGB, and VGA video, and they use a transmitter-
to-receiver setup. They can be used as video splitters as well as video extenders.
This manual covers CAT5 Multi VGA System Transmitters and Receivers with
Audio (AC1000A–AC1003A) and CAT5 Multi VGA System Transmitters and
Receivers with RS-232 (AC1004A–AC1007A). Their respective Rackmount Kits
(AC1008–AC1012) are discussed in Appendix D.
The video/audio models enable you to broadcast line-level mono audio, along with
video from your computer, to as many as 100 computer monitors up to 450 feet
(137.2 m) away over CAT5.
The video/serial models transmit VGA signals at the same 450-ft. distance to RS-
232 devices, such as touchscreen displays or newer plasma monitors that have RS-
232 serial inputs. They do this by transmitting full modem serial signals along with
the video signals over CAT5.
Among the transmitters available for both video/audio and video/serial models
are single-port models and four-port (quad hub) versions. The quad hub
transmitter is used to distribute the same signal to multiple display devices.
Setup and cabling are the same as the single-port transmitters.
When using the quad hub serial transmitter model (AC1003A) with daisychained
receivers, serial communication mode is unidirectionally broadcast. In this mode,
all other CAT5 Multi VGA System devices must be of the simplex serial type.
CAT5 Multi VGA System receivers are available with single or dual daisychainable
connections. The dual daisychainable receiver is used when the same signal is
distributed to multiple display devices across a single CAT5 cable in a daisychain or
loop-through fashion. Setup and cabling are the same as the single-port receiver.
The single-port serial transmitters and single-port and dual daisychainable
serial receivers contain an internal Universal Digital Board (UDB) that can
be reconfigured from its default setting for simplex operation to bidirectional
operation. This way, you can connect touchscreens and high-end video projectors
with interactive features. The bidirectional setting isn't an option on the the quad
hub models because they broadcast serial data in one direction only.
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