Black Box AC074A User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2002. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

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SUPPORT
INFORMATION
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FREE technical support 24 hours a day 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Bla k Box Corporation 1000 Park Drive Lawrence PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.bla kbox. om • E-mail: info@bla kbox. om
DECEMBER 2002
AC074A
AC074AE
2-Channel VGA Booster

1
FCC AND IC STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15
of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required
to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

2
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como
sea recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de
calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos
(incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.

3
NOM STATEMENT
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo
del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en
el aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que
no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de
las lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo
no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no
sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del
aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio
en su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

4
2-CHANNEL VGA BOOSTER
TRADEMARKS
Black Box and the logo are registered trademarks of Black Box
Corporation.
Windows is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States and/or other countries.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property
of the trademark owners.

5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.1 The Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.2 Typical Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
4. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
5. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

6
2-CHANNEL VGA BOOSTER
1. Specifications
Connectors: Input: (1) DB15HD female; Output: (2) DB15HD female
Resolution Supported: Up to 1024 x 768 for VGA, SVGA, and XGA
Distance Limits (each output): Up to 700 ft. (213 m) @ 640 x 480 pixels;
up to 600 ft. (183 m) @ 800 x 600 pixels;
up to 500 ft. (152 m) @ 1024 x 768 pixels
Horizontal Frequency: 31.5 to 35.52 kHz
Signal: Analog
Signal Format: RGBS
Temperature: Operating: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C); Storage: -40 to +176°F
(-40 to +80°C)
Humidity: Operating: Up to 80%, noncondensing; Storage: Up to 90%,
noncondensing
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 10,000 hours
Power: 9 VDC, 500/600 ma (part number 10155)
Size: 1.5"H x 7.25"W x 6.25"D (3.8 x 18.4 x 15.9 cm)
Weight: 2.2 lb. (0.9 kg)

7
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2. Introduction
With the 2-Channel VGA Booster, you can view the output of a VGA adapter
on 1 or 2 monitors simultaneously. You can place each monitor up to
700 feet (213 m) away from the Booster, depending on the operating mode.
The Booster package contains the following:
• (1) 2-Channel VGA Booster
• (1) 9-VDC power supply
• (1) 6-ft. (1.8-m) male-to-male VGA input cable
• This users’ manual
You may also order optional monitor extension cables, specially designed
for use with this product.

8
2-CHANNEL VGA BOOSTER
3. Installation
3.1 The Installation Procedure
Follow these steps to install your 2-Channel VGA Booster.
1.Place the Booster within 6 ft. (1.8 m) of the computer.
2.Connect the 6-ft. VGA input cable (included) from the VGA output
of the computer to the connector marked “VGA.”
3.Connect the VGA compatible monitor(s) to the connector(s) marked
“Output” on the rear of the Booster. You may use monitor extension
cables to extend the distance up to 700 feet (213.4 m) as shown in
Table 3-1.
4.Plug the 9-VDC wall power transformer (included) into the jack on the
rear of the Booster.
5.Plug the power transformer into an AC wall outlet. When the unit is
properly powered, the front-panel LED will glow red.
6.Turn on the computer and the monitor(s). The monitor(s) will display
the computer’s output.
7.Use the front-panel knobs to adjust the gain and peaking of the Booster’s
amplifiers to compensate for the long extension cable. The knobs have 6
positions from SHORT to LONG and correspond to cable lengths for
standard VGA (up to 480 lines), or Super VGA (up to 768 lines), as shown
in Table 3-1.

9
CHAPTER 3: Installation
Table 3-1. Front panel knob positions.
Knob Cable Length for VGA Cable Length for Super VGA
Position
1 0 to 125 ft. (0 to 38 m) 0 to 100 ft. (0 to 30.4 m)
2 125 to 250 ft. (38 to 76 m) 100 to 175 ft. (30.4 to 53.2 m)
3 250 to 375 ft. (76 to 112.5 m) 175 to 250 ft. (53.2 to 76 m)
4 375 to 500 ft. (112.5 to 152 m) 250 to 325 ft. (76 to 98.8 m)
5 500 to 600 ft. (152 to 182.4 m) 325 to 425 ft. (98.8 to 129.2 m)
6 600 to 700 ft. (182.4 to 212.8 m) 425 to 500 ft. (129.2 to 152 m)
NOTE
For Super-VGA modes operating at 800 lines, the maximum
recommended length is 600 ft. ( 82.4 m). For Super-VGA modes
operating at 768 lines, the maximum recommended length is 500 ft.
( 52 m).
8.As shipped, the Booster is internally jumpered to support a standard color
VGA monitor. The internal jumpers are located on jumper block JP1. You
may change these jumpers for different monitor types as shown in
Table 3-2.
Table 3-2. Jumper settings.
Monitor Type JP1 Jumpers to Install
Color VGA Positions 2 and 5
Mono hrome VGA Positions 3 and 5
8514/A VGA Positions 1 and 3
XGA Positions 1 and 4

10
2-CHANNEL VGA BOOSTER
3.2 Typical Application
Figure 3-1. Typical application of the AC074A.
PC with VGA
output driver
6-ft. ( .8-m) male-to-male
DB 5HD cable (included)
Keyboard
Monitor
Monitor
AC074A
700 ft.
(2 2.8 m)
700 ft.
(2 2.8 m)

11
CHAPTER 4: Operation
4. Operation
Once you install the 2-Channel VGA Booster, it requires no ongoing
adjustments. The Booster works continuously, and you can place it out of
sight if you wish.
The Booster extended the viewing position of VGA monitors, so you must
compensate for the normal signal losses that will occur when you add cable
to a VGA monitor. The Booster compensates for this loss via equalized
amplification, so that the signal at the remote end closely matches the signal as
it left the VGA adapter. You receive true detail and color fidelity in the VGA
image.
Each monitor output is independently buffered. This insures isolation and
proper signal levels, regardless of the number of monitors you use. You can
cascade the boosters to achieve multiple outputs at different distances from
the computer. Call Technical Support for help with your application.
NOTE
The plug-in transformer will feel warm after the unit is on for awhile. This
is normal, since the Booster draws a significant amount of power.

12
2-CHANNEL VGA BOOSTER
5. Troubleshooting
Problem: Power LEDs glow but no video.
Solution: Disconnect all video cables. Is the LED off? Check AC
power at the outlet. Check the power-supply plug for proper seating.
Problem: One channel is OK, but the other is not.
Solution: Swap extension cables. If the problem follows the cables,
replace the defective cable.
Problem: Output is not clear or some colors are blurred.
Solution: Change the video software driver. Use another driver that supports
the distance you are using. (Under Windows®, this can be changed using
Windows Setup in the Main Menu. Select “Options” and then “Change System
Settings.”)
Problem: Brightness, size, or position are different from original settings.
Solution: Use the monitor’s brightness, size, and/or position controls to
adjust the display.
Problem: One or two colors are missing on one of the VGA monitors.
Solution: Make sure all connections to the Booster are secure. Make sure the
monitor screwlocks are tightened.