Black Box VX-VGA520-TA User manual

BL A C K B O X®
Use a single UTP CAT5/5e/6 cable to extend
VGA signals up to 480 feet (150 meters)
away from a video source.
Mini CATx VGA Extenders
VX-VGA520-TA VX-VGA520-TB
VX-VGA520-RA VX-VGA520-RB
VX-VGA520-PS
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S.
call 724-746-5500) • FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone] • Mailing address:
Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
Customer
Support
Information

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Mini CATx VGA Extenders
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 B 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.
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.

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NOM Statement
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.
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.

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Mini CATx VGA Extenders
Trademarks Used in this Manual
Black Box and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks
of BB Technologies, Inc.
Mac is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Sun is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be
the property of the trademark owners.
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.

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications......................................................................................................6
2. Overview ............................................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction...............................................................................................7
2.2 Features .....................................................................................................7
2.3 What’s Included.........................................................................................8
2.4 Hardware Description................................................................................9
2.5 Typical Application ..................................................................................10
3. Installation........................................................................................................ 11
3.1 Before Installation.................................................................................... 11
3.2 Installing the Transmitter......................................................................... 11
3.3 Installing the Receiver.............................................................................. 11
4. Operation ............................................................................................................12
4.1 EDID Copy (on Transmitter Unit) .............................................................12
4.2 Use (Load) the Default Setting................................................................12
4.3 Copy (New) Monitor EDID.......................................................................13

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Mini CATx VGA Extenders
1. Specifications
Enclosure Material: VX-VGA520-TA, VX-VGA520-RA: plastic;
VX-VGA520-TB, VA-VGA520-RB: aluminum
Extension Distance (Maximum): 480 ft. (150 m)*
Video Resolution (Maximum): 1920 x 1080 (full HD), 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Connectors: VX-VGA520-TA, VX-VGA520-TB: Input: (1) HD15 F;
Output: (1) RJ-45 F;
VX-VGA520-RA, VX-VGA520-RB: Input: (1) RJ-45 F;
Output: (1) HD15 F
Indicators: VX-VGA520-TA, VX-VGA520-TB: (1) power/EDID copy dual-color LED;
VX-VGA520-RA, VX-VGA520-RB: (1) power LED
Power: 9–12-VDC power supply (VX-VGA520-PS)
Size: VX-VGA520-TA, VX-VGA520-RA (Mobile): 3"H x 2"W x 1"D (7.6 x 5.1 x
2.5 cm) dongle with 8" (20.3 cm) VGA pigtail;
VX-VGA520-TB, VX-VGA520-RB (Wallplate): Standard single-gang wallplate:
4.5"H x 2.75"W x 1"D (11.4 x 6.9 x 2.5 cm);
Weight: 0.2 lb. (0.1 kg)
*Use good-quality CAT5 cable to achieve maximum distance. Higher resolution is
limited to shorter cable lengths.

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Chapter 2: Overview
2. Overview
2.1 Introduction
The space-saving Mini CATx VGA Extender system consists of a transmitter and a
receiver that allow you to extend VGA signals up to 480 feet (150 meters) away
from a video source using a single UTP CAT5/5e/6 cable. It supports most popular
Windows®, Mac®, Sun®, and Linux®operating systems.
Choose from the following mobile or wallplate models:
• Mini CATx VGA Transmitter, Mobile (VX-VGA520-TA)
• Mini CATx VGA Receiver, Mobile (VX-VGA520-RA)
• Mini CATx VGA Transmitter, Wallplate (VX-VGA520-TB)
• Mini CATx VGA Receiver, Wallplate (VX-VGA520-RB)
You will also need the following power supply:
• Mini CATx VGA Power Supply (VX-VGA520-PS)
The transmitter’s EDID Copy function enables the best video presentations, and the
receiver’s RGB Skew feature enables you to manually and intuitively adjust video
quality according to the length of CAT5 cable. Its compact design offers convenient
installation and saves space. For example, if the display is exposed in a public area,
you can keep the system in a safe location. It is perfect for situations that require
immediate and easy set up, such as presentations from commercial products to cor-
porate financial data in showrooms, boardrooms, trade shows, window displays,
classrooms, and training facilities.
2.2 Features
• Extends video signals up to 480 feet (150 m) away from a transmitter
• Supports video resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
• Plug-n-play enabled in Windows, Mac, Sun, and Linux platforms
• No driver needed or software required
• EDID Copy function gives your application its best resolution for presentations
• EQ (Sharpness) adjustment ensures optimal signal clarity
• Compatible with most popular screen resolutions up to XGA, SXGA, UXGA,
WSXGA,…Full HD, WUXGA
• Low-cost CAT5/5e/6 cable is readily available and easy to install

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Mini CATx VGA Extenders
2.3 What’s Included
Your extender package should contain the following items. If anything is missing
or damaged, contact Black Box Technical Support at 724-746-5500
or [e-mail].
VX-VGA520-TA:
• (1) Extender Transmitter Unit (Mobile)
• This user’s manual
VX-VGA520-RA:
• (1) Extender Receiver Unit (Mobile)
• This user’s manual
VX-VGA520-TB:
• (1) Extender Transmitter Unit (Wallplate)
• (1) package of screws
• This user’s manual
VX-VGA520-RB:
• (1) Extender Receiver Unit (Wallplate)
• (1) package of screws
• This user’s manual
VX-VGA520-PS:
• (1) 9-12-VDC power supply
• This user’s manual

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Chapter 2: Overview
2.4 Hardware Description
B1
B4
B3
B2
B5
B1
B4
B3
B2
B5
A1
A4
A3
A2
A5
A4
A1
A3
A2
A5
Figure 2-1. Transmitter and Receiver.
Table 2-1. Transmitter and Receiver functions.
Diagram Label Component Function
Transmitter:
A1 VGA port Connects to a video source.
A2 Power supply Connects to a 9-12-VDC power adapter.
A3 RJ-45 connector Connects to a receiver unit.
A4 EDID copy button 1. Copy the EDID of the connected (A1)
monitor.
2. Use the default EDID.
A5 LED indicator Lights green when power is on.
Lights red to indicate EDID copy status (see
Chapter 4, Operation).

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Mini CATx VGA Extenders
Table 2-1 (continued). Transmitter and Receiver functions.
Diagram Label Component Function
Receiver:
B1 RJ-45 connector Connects to a transmitter unit.
B2 RGB skew Enables you to manually adjust the video
quality.
B3 VGA port Connects to a VGA monitor.
B4 Power supply Links to a 9–12-VDC power adapter.
B5 LED indicator Lights green when power is on.
2.5 Typical Application
Figure 2-2 shows a typical application using the extender units.
\
Receiver Transmitter
or
NOTE: Requires DC power at either transmitter or receiver.
Receiver Transmitter
Figure 2-2. How the extender works.

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Chapter 3: Installation
3. Installation
3.1 Before Installation
• Power off all devices that you will connect to this system.
• Make sure that all devices you will connect are properly grounded.
• Place cables away from fluorescent lights, air conditioners, and machines that are
likely to generate electrical noise.
• The extender pair requires only a single power supply, which can be plugged in at
either end of the link.
3.2 Installing the Transmitter
1. Connect one end of the VGA cable to the VGA port on the source device (for
example, PC or DVD player).
2. Connect the other end of the VGA cable to the VGA port of the transmitter unit.
3. The transmitter unit draws little power from the receiver unit (except when
processing EDID Copy data).
3.3 Installing the Receiver
4. Plug the monitor’s VGA cable into the VGA port on the receiver unit.
5. Using a CATx cable, connect the transmitter unit to the receiver unit.
6. Connect the provided power cord into an appropriate power source and plug the
opposite end into the power connector on the receiver unit. The POWER LED on the
top panel of the receiver lights GREEN indicating that the power is ON.
NOTE: To improve video quality over long distances, use a screwdriver to manually
adjust the video quality.
NOTE: To get best video quality over long distance, use sufficient power for the
receiver unit.

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Mini CATx VGA Extenders
4. Operation
4.1 EDID Copy (on Transmitter Unit)
In some cases, users may experience display problems. This can be caused by
incorrect EDID communication between the display monitor and the PC graphics
card, or insufficient EDID data programmed by display manufacturers. The transmit-
ter units have an “EDID Copy” feature that enables the unit to read the necessary
EDID information from the attached video display and then deliver it at all times to
the attached computer. If no new EDID information is available from a display, a
default profile in the transmitter unit is automatically provided instead.
For best EDID communication when the computer is booting up, you should
implement the EDID Copy feature on the transmitter before operation. This is
described next.
4.2 Use (Load) the Default Setting
When using a monitor that’s not EDID compliant for display, the transmitter will
automatically select viable EDID data from its default EDID profile to set up the EDID
information. Follow the instructions below:
Step 1. Plug in the included power cord to power “ON” the transmitter unit.
Step 2. Press and hold the “EDID Copy” button on the unit and release the button
RIGHT AFTER the LED starts flashing red (approximately 6–7 seconds).
Step 3. The power LED lights steady GREEN, indicating that the EDID Copy is
completed.
Transmitter
EDID compliant
monitor
Figure 4-1. Transmitter connected to EDID compliant monitor.

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Chapter 4: Operation
4.3 Copy (New) Monitor EDID
When using a monitor (EDID compliant) for display, the transmitter’s EDID Copy
function will enable EDID communication between the monitor and transmitter for
optimal video quality. Follow the instructions below:
Step 1. Power “ON” the transmitter unit.
Step 2. Connect the EDID-compliant monitor to the VGA port on the transmitter
unit and power on the monitor.
Step 3. Press the button “EDID Copy” button and release the button RIGHT AFTER
the LED starts flashing green (approximately 3–4 seconds).
Step 4. The power LED lights steady GREEN, indicating that the EDID Copy is
completed.
NOTE: If the LED flashes RED, check the following:
a. Is the monitor properly connected?
b. Is the monitor powered on?
c. The monitor’s EDID data might not be applied. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 above.

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NOTES

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NOTES

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VX-VGA520-TA, rev. 1