Why were CatX extenders developed?

The HD15 connector is by far the most common interface used to connect a display device to a computer. The original VGA standard only supported a resolution of 640 x 480 and it was only possible to extend VGA up to a distance of around 10 metres over good quality VGA cable. However, this grade of VGA cable, due to its internal construction, is thick, stiff, and difficult to terminate and install; making it a poor choice for long distance cable runs.

Since then, computer graphics cards still utilised the VGA connector and cable, but now resolutions of 1920 x 1080p are not uncommon. These high resolution computer graphics do not transmit well over long distances of VGA cable as the high frequency signal components suffer severe degradation, resulting in a poor quality image.

To combat these problems and allow for greater range and flexibility, SY Electronics designed its CatX range of VGA extenders. This allowed installers of the emerging digital signage market the ability to use Cat5 cable to to extend tjhe VGA signal up to 150m, or even 300m with the CatXQ receivers. Cat5 cable is thin, flexible, relative inexpensive and is frequently already present in most buildings.

Key features of CatX VGA and audio extenders

The CatX AVP and Mini ranges include self powered transmitters and receivers.

One and two port transmitters (CatX Mini and CatX AVP Tx2) that require no external power.

The CatX Mini VP (transmitter and receiver) are completely self powered.

All CatX extenders are low power consuming less than 0.25W per output channel.

CatX transmitters can be daisy chained as required to create an unlimited number of outputs.

Multiple CatX AV receivers can be daisy chained up to 2000m.

For point to point solutions, single lengths of Cat5, Cat5e or Cat6 UTP cable can be used up to 300m.

Connections including structured cabling and patch panels do not effect performance of CatX extenders.

CatX extenders reduce the cost per display by allowing the same content to be distributed to multiple screens.

CatX extenders include small footprint devices with rack or wall mount options.