Friday, August 3, 2018

The Role of the VGA Extender in Digital Signage Solutions


A VGA extender is a critical piece of component used for digital signage applications. Digital signage is a popular method of delivering advertisements and electronic messages in a variety of different venues including hospitals, airports, restaurants, hotels, conference rooms and any number of different commercial configurations. An operator controls the messages displayed on the signs from a computer that is as much as 1,000 feet away from the digital sign. The role of the VGA extender is to boost the signal transmission using VGA over CAT5 technology.
The benefit of using VGA over CAT5 or Cat6 is that you don't have to use bulky VGA cable. Standard VGA cables won't transmit the signal more than a few feet before the signal is too degraded. Using a VGA extender, like VGA over CAT6 solution, the digital signal is transported a very long distance from the support console, as much as 1,500 feet. The VGA extender consists of a local transmitter near the control console and a local VGA access point that connects to the video source through a receiver located near the monitor. The transmitter and receiver are connected using standard CAT5 network cable, hence VGA over CAT5. Other forms of standard CAT cables are supported including CAT5/CAT5E/CAT6 cable. The units that extend the signal up to 1,500 feet require an external power supply.
Those that transmit up to 500 feet do not require external power. This type of solution maintains a strong signal and good resolution as high as 1900x1200 @ 60Hz. Some models of VGA over CAT5 devices allow transmission of signals to up to sixteen displays at the same time giving you twice the value for your investment. Using this type of connection isn't limited to digital signage. With the rise of high definition LCD television sets, the VGA extender is also popular in the home entertainment arena.
It is used to connect a laptop or gaming device with a VGA connection to standard VGA monitor. The VGA extender device is platform independent and can work fine with most operating systems including Windows, Unix/Linux, and Solaris. They can connect to laptops, PCs, DVD players, VHS, Blue-ray and digital video recorders. This type of connection is popular in industries where security is a premium. VGA over CAT6 provides secure communication making this a popular solution in financial and military applications. Computers and servers no longer have to be near the foot traffic and can be secured away in a remote location.

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