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[Russ Buck]

Is there any way to send the signal fomr computer to the video projector using standard cat5e.  We are upgrading our prjector and don't want to use a long throw but instead mount it closer to the front screen from the ceiling.  This means that we will need to run 200-300' of cable to get form the booth to the unit.  Do some prjector accept cat5e or is there some sort of adapter, like a digital snake sort of thing?

Russ buck

[Brad Weber]

There are many manufacturers of video over CAT5 (or more accurately, video over UTP) interfaces such as Extron, FSR, Kramer, Magenta Research and many others.  A transmitter connects to the video output (VGA or even DVI) of the computer and then converts that signal to run over CAT5 cable to a receiver at the projector that then converts the signal back to the original format and connect to the appropriate input on the projector.

An important thing to recognize here is that even though the video is running on CAT5 cable, this is a dedicated point-to-point path and is not a network signal.  It cannot be shared with network devices or run through standard routers, switches, etc.  It goes direct from transmitter to receiver and is simply an alternative cabling option and not actually converting the video.

Many projectors do have LAN ports and can connect to a computer's network port directly or via a network, but this is almost always for control of the projector and not for sending it video.

[Tim Urner]

Not sure about others but Kramer recommends using a special Cat5 cable with their units for over 200' It is made by Belden and it is called Nanoskew. It apparently has the same twist rate from pair to pair, unlike regular cat 5 which twists the pairs at slightly different rates. It only costs a little more so we do use it.

They said there can be some sync issues with color if you don't.

Check out the sister forum on this topic too.
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/135218/0/

[Brad Weber]

Tim brings up a good point and a number of cable manufacturers offer "skew free" CAT5 cable.  Skew is a result of standard CAT5 cables using a different twist rate for each pair and thus each pair is a slightly different length, over longer runs this difference can become a problem.  The solution is to either use skew free cable or interfaces with adjustable skew compensation, however skew free cable may not always be an option if you are trying to use building standard cable or reuse existing cable.  Adjustable skew compensation is one difference between some units and I am always a little wary of interfaces that do not incorporate skew compensation but quote very long run distances using standard CAT5 cable.

Don't overlook that any distance numbers are tied to the signal being transmitted and especially the signal resolution.  You have to consider what signal you are transmitting and when manufacturers quote distances for video over CAT5 devices that typically will also identify what resolution that represents.  Consider how that fits your application.

[Marcus dePaula]

I personally recommend Gefen's line of extender products:
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4503

They are pricey, but reliable - and their customer service is great.

Another option to get video signal that far is to run analog signal over 5-wire (RGBHV) coax.  You can get VGA to RGBHV adapters.  Many projectors even have RGBHV inputs on them.

It's obviously best to keep the signal digital if you can afford to, but the wire (while still a few hundred bucks for that length of cable) is still cheaper than quality DVI over Cat5e extenders.

[Gil Parente]

Good points about skew.

Extron, BlackBox, and others, make these extenders with skew adjustment built in.  They work very well with standard Cat5e.  I've installed a bunch even with cheapo HomeDepot Cat5.

Here is a link for an extron piece I use a lot:
http://www.extron.com/product/listbytype.aspx?subtype=215

When looking for one, make sure you find one where you only need one power supply (like the one above) that way you won't need to worry about plugging something else on AC at the projector location.

take care
Gil  

[Arnold B. Krueger]

Russ Buck wrote on Fri, 14 March 2008 17:38

Is there any way to send the signal fomr computer to the video projector using standard cat5e.

Yes. Just about any common A/V signal whether analog or digital, video or audio, can be routed over CAT5 using various baluns and format converters.

The disadvantages may be cost or complexity, but some of these converters have become so inexpensive as to at least be cost-justified.

Quote:

We are upgrading our prjector and don't want to use a long throw but instead mount it closer to the front screen from the ceiling.

I went that route when we upgraded about 3 years ago, and everybody seems to be pleased with the results. This represented progress for our church, as the last time a new projector was installed, there was no way that a hanging projector would have been tolerated.

Quote:

This means that we will need to run 200-300' of cable to get form the booth to the unit.

3 years ago I went with RGBHV via 5 each 18 gauge copper-core RG6 - There was about 1500' of coax in the bundle.  Cables that connect BNC RGBHV to standard 15 pin VGA connectors are under $30 each. Some of our equipment already had those connectors.

Quote:

Do some prjector accept cat5e or is there some sort of adapter, like a digital snake sort of thing?

Some projectors do accept CAT5E mostly for control, monitoring, and configuration purposes. I didn't see a lot of facility for receiving pictures and videos that seemed attractive in the projector we bought, but this is a fast-moving technology.

The common alternative would be to use CAT-5 based range-extenders to circumvent the length restrictions of common analog and digital signal formats.  

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