use of vga baluns over cat5e - security cameras?

A

AP2

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jun 25, 2007
Messages
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I'm getting ready to setup a security system with 12 cameras and would like to know what the best solution to drive 2 32" monitors on separate floors. Here is what I would like to do:

The source PC will be located in a server rack on the 1st floor driving the 32" monitor on the second floor (~300 ft away) and another 32" monitor on 4th floor (~500 ft away).

These are the cameras I am using:
AXIS Q6035-E POE PTZ
HDTV 1080p 25/30 fps as well as
HDTV 720p 50/60 fps

Would some type of VGA Baluns over cat5/cate5e/cat6 work in my situation? If so, what brand do you recommend? I currently don't have a budget, but would like to keep the baluns or extenders under 1k.

Configuration Setup
12 Axis POE cameras> Gigabit Switch> Network Video Recorder (Server)> source PC driving 2 32" LCDS.

Thanks in Advance!
 
AP2 said:
I'm getting ready to setup a security system with 12 cameras and would like to know what the best solution to drive 2 32" monitors on separate floors. Here is what I would like to do:

The source PC will be located in a server rack on the 1st floor driving the 32" monitor on the second floor (~300 ft away) and another 32" monitor on 4th floor (~500 ft away).

These are the cameras I am using:
AXIS Q6035-E POE PTZ
HDTV 1080p 25/30 fps as well as
HDTV 720p 50/60 fps

Would some type of VGA Baluns over cat5/cate5e/cat6 work in my situation? If so, what brand do you recommend? I currently don't have a budget, but would like to keep the baluns or extenders under 1k.

Configuration Setup
12 Axis POE cameras> Gigabit Switch> Network Video Recorder (Server)> source PC driving 2 32" LCDS.

Thanks in Advance!
Click to expand...

Does the 32" have hdmi ? I'd do hdmi balins instead..
 
They do! so would baluns / balins work in my scenario without video performance degrading?
 
check out black box... they probably have something that will work... passive monoprice jobbies aren't going to work at those distances...

i know they have component stuff that will meet your distance needs, but that's going to add a bunch of complication... they have VGA baluns, as well as VGA booster boxes......

http://www.blackbox.com/Store/Results.aspx/Video-Multimedia/Baluns/n-4294958633

EDIT: if i were you OP, i'd probably build 2 tiny PCs behind those TVs and display your security feeds via whatever network interface your NVR is putting out (just curious, what software are you using?)... you could probably do that easily for < $1000, shoot, $500 might be do-able...


newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856119067 barebones $149
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239354 memory $13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148579 ssd $46

$210
 
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VGA baluns should be able to accomplish what you need potentially but there are a few things to keep in mind.

1) You can not use them with a network switch in the middle
2) The longer the run the lower the quality of the video
3) At 500ft distances the different lengths of each pair in the cat5 comes into play (each twist is different per pair) make sure what you buy has attenuation knobs to adjust for the differences in timing or the images will be messed up

I have used these with good success:
http://www.markertek.com/CATV-Heade...tems/Hall-Research-Technologies/URA-SKU.xhtml
http://www.markertek.com/CATV-Heade...ystems/Hall-Research-Technologies/UVA-2.xhtml
Hall also makes daisy chain receivers and other goodies, I would check them out.

This is defiantly a pay to play situation. If the devices don't skew correct your image will look like shit after about 150ft.
 
^ Good point. It's got to be a contiguous cable from one end to the other. You can run through a patch panel if you want, but it has to be a single cable. This isn't network traffic, so you can't funnel it though an uplink between IDFs.
 
We use several of these transmitters/receivers within my company to broadcast the signal over Cat6 STP wiring (though Cat5e is supported). The devices currently support up to 128x720 resolution, but I remember our vendor stating that some newer models should be able to handle higher resolutions at a longer max cable length.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I will go with what PTNL suggested - 2 Extron HDMI 301 over shielded cat6. Unfortunately, I have been able to find a retailer or dealer. Do you have a contact PTNL?


PTNL said:
We use several of these transmitters/receivers within my company to broadcast the signal over Cat6 STP wiring (though Cat5e is supported). The devices currently support up to 128x720 resolution, but I remember our vendor stating that some newer models should be able to handle higher resolutions at a longer max cable length.
Click to expand...

goodcooper - I'm using Pelco Digital Sentry Control Software.
 
^^ he said fibre,

south-park-i-just-came-500x375.jpg
 
AP2 said:
Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I will go with what PTNL suggested - 2 Extron HDMI 301 over shielded cat6. Unfortunately, I have been able to find a retailer or dealer. Do you have a contact PTNL?
Click to expand...

The problem is HDMI is digital, so there will come a point when the signal will just stop working. The specs on that one are 330ft, a far cry from the 500 you are looking for. It might work or it might not. VGA is analog, so you can do things like skew and timing correction on the receiving end to help make the picture better at ultra high distances. Trust me you will be able to stretch the signal much farther with VGA vs DVI/HDMI
 
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