Video Splitters-The Basics
Video Splitter Products Let You Share Your Computer
or Video Output
by 42U
A video splitter
is a device that takes one signal from a video source and replicates
it over multiple monitors. The number of times that a video
splitter divides the signal varies; video splitters currently
on the market provide divisions for as few as two ports or as
many as hundreds of ports.
There are two main types of video splitters: standard VGA
video splitters and Cat 5 video splitters.
Standard VGA Video Splitters:
Standard VGA video splitters allow a single VGA video source
to simultaneously drive 2, 4, 8, or 16 SVGA, VGA, XGA, and Multisync
monitors. Standard VGA video splitters use coaxial-style VGA
cables to connect the target video source to multiple monitor
feeds.
Applications
Standard VGA video splitters can be effectively used in settings
that require images to be replicated on several monitors. They
are often used in classrooms, at tradeshow venues, in point-of-sale
displays at retail stores, and in airports.
Resolution
Supported resolution is often as high as 1900x1200, assuming
that the split monitors are not more than 20-30 feet away from
the video source. If a monitor is extended past 20-30 feet,
video degradation and ghosting may result. To mitigate this
problem, some video splitters include a built-in signal booster,
which allows the video signal to be extended up to 200 feet
over a standard VGA cable.
Products
DirectNet offers the
NTI
VOPEX-2V-H, the
Aten VS138, and the
Raritan VD14.
Most video splitters use standard VGA-style HD15 connectors.
For projects that require a small form factor, DirectNET offers
the
Startech ST122 2-Port Video Splitter, which has a form factor
of only 1" x 4" x 3.8. "
4-Port Video Splitter Illustration
Cat 5 Video Splitters:
A Cat 5-based video splitter differs from a standard VGA
video splitter mainly by the type of cable that is used to connect
the target video source to the multiple monitor feeds. While
standard video splitters use coaxial-style VGA cables, Cat 5
video splitters implement thin Cat 5 cabling, which reduces
the cabling nightmare often presented by standard video splitters.
In addition, some Cat 5 video splitters (for example, Minicom's
VDS product line) allow a user to darken all remote monitors
while administrative changes are being made. Cat 5 splitters
allow multiple targets to be extended up to 820 ft from the
video source.
Applications
Cat 5 video splitters can be used in the same settings as standard
VGA video splitters and are often better suited for applications
where distances are greater and more monitors are required.
Resolution
Minicom's Cat 5 Video Display System can transmit hundreds
of real-time remote video displays up to 1600x1200 at 75 Hz.
Minicom's 2 and 4-port Cat 5 UTP video splitters support high-resolution
video at 1280x1024 at 75 Hz.
Products
DirecNet offers several CAT5 video splitters including the following:
• The Minicom Cat 5 Video Display System doubles as a video
splitter and a Cat 5 video extender. The main Broadcaster unit
connects to the single output VGA host and has ports to split
8 remote monitor feeds. Micro-sized remote dongles are needed
at each extended monitor. After 8 ports are exceeded, to add
7 additional feeds a Line Splitter can be attached to any output
from the Video Display System Broadcaster unit.
•
NTI's VOPEX series is similar to the
Minicom Cat 5 Video Display System, although it differs
in port density. The
VOPEX-C5V-16
central video splitter offers 16 ports instead of 8. Since NTI
does not offer an optional line splitter with the VOPEX-C5V-16,
users must incorporate standard daisy chaining to add more than
16 ports.
• Minicom offers a 2 and 4-port Cat 5 UTP video splitter,
which can simultaneously broadcast video images to two or four
monitors. Users can extend monitors 360 feet or 820 feet by
using either required remote receiver. Minicom's Cat 5 UTP video
splitters can not implement a Line Splitter; however, units
can be chained together to gain dozens of additional ports.
Minicom's Cat 5 UTP video splitters support VGA, SVGA, XGA,
and Monochrome monitors.
Minicom Cat 5 Video
Display System
(showing rear-view connections)
About 42U
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