StarTech's line of Cat 5 VGA video extenders
Build these into the walls and you're good to go. One caveat is that each of the transmitters and receivers looks like it needs to be plugged into an outlet so when using one and building around it, you might want to consider placing an electrical box near it as well. The nice thing about these though is since it uses Cat 5 cable, it's cheap and easy to run a wire that's going to be dedicated for video.
Also, should you want to upgrade to DVI or HDMI, just change the wall plates and keep using the existing Cat 5 connection. The wall plates don't come cheap though so you're going to have to budget a few hundred to get it all running and that's without the cost of the cable.
New VGA Video over Cat 5 Extender Transmitter and Receiver Wallplates Offer Scalable Professional Grade VGA Video Extension
StarTech.com’s Converge A/V VGA Video over Cat 5 Extender Transmitter and Receiver Wallplates offer cost-effective alternative to video extension systems that rely on proprietary cable and connectors
Groveport, OH - StarTech.com, (www.startech.com) a leading manufacturer of A/V and digital signage connectivity solutions, has launched three new products in its Converge A/V “UTPE series” family of VGA over Cat 5 Extender devices, designed to work as part of an overall system of extending and splitting VGA video using Cat 5 cable between the transmitting and display points.
The new product offerings include:
The VGA Video over Cat 5 Extender Transmitter Wallplate (STUTPTXWAL)
The VGA Video over Cat 5 Extender Receiver Wallplate (STUTPRXWAL)
and the STUTPWALL which includes both the VGA Video Extender Transmitter and Receiver Wallplates.
Intended to provide A/V and digital signage specialists with a convenient way to narrowcast VGA content to remote locations at distances of up to 300m / 950ft, the wall plates add to the convenience of StarTech.com’s UTPE series of VGA extenders, providing the option of neatly concealing the Cat5 cabling used to extend the VGA video signal from point to point.
“One of the main differentiators between our UTPE series of VGA extender wall plates and competitive products is that our wall plates are linked to other extender devices using Cat5 cable, as opposed to proprietary cabling and connectors” says John Mardinly, Product Manager for StarTech.com. “Cat5 cable is not only easier to run, but much less costly than proprietary cabling. Whereas some types of proprietary video extender cabling can cost up to $5/ft, Cat5 cable can be purchased for bulk installations somewhere in the price range of 10 cents/ft.”
“Another competitive advantage of using Cat5 cable to extend the video system” says Mardinly, “is that once the cable has been run throughout the building infrastructure, upgrading from VGA to DVI or HDMI is as simple as swapping out the wall plates. Whereas systems using proprietary cabling require a distinct type of cable for each video standard, our Cat5 system offers simplified upgrades saving not only the expense of new cable, but also the hassle of having to re-run the cable.”
Pricing for the new VGA Extender wallplates will be:
ST124UTPEA VGA Video and Audio over Cat5 UTP Extender (4 Ports): $259.99 (USD) (MSRP)
ST128UTPEA VGA Video and Audio over Cat5 UTP Extender (8 Ports): $399.99 (USD) (MSRP)
STUTPEALR VGA and Audio Cat5 UTP Long Range Receiver: $224.99 (USD) (MSRP)
STUTPEA4X VGA Video and Audio over Cat5 UTP Line Splitter (4 Ports): $399.99 (USD) (MSRP)
These products will be available through leading technology resellers including CDW, PC Connection and Insight and will also be distributed by Ingram Micro, Tech Data, D&H and SYNNEX.
For more information visit www.startech.com.
