Hall Research Technologies URA, URA-SKU, URA-XT User Manual

User’s Manual

URA

URA-XT

URA-SKU

URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

PC Video & Audio on Twisted-Pair Receivers

with Cable Length Compensation

Skew Correction and Daisy-Chain Output

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION

Order toll-free in the U.S. 800-959-6439
FREE technical support, Call 714-641-6607 or fax [phone]
Address: Hall Research, 1163 Warner Ave. Tustin, CA 92780
Web site: www.hallresearch.com E-mail: [email protected]

UMA1168 Rev. NC

PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

Hall Research and its logo

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged as
the property of the trademark owners.

are trademarks of Hall Research.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and if not installed and used in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio
communication. This equipment is designed 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 intended 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 their 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.

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

Contents

1. Introduction.................................................................3

1.1 General ...................................................................... 3

1.2 Features..................................................................... 4

2. Installation...................................................................4

2.1 Package Contents...................................................... 4

2.2 Connection to Compatible Senders ........................... 5

2.3 Cable Requirements .................................................. 6

2.4 Daisy-Chain Limitations ............................................. 6

2.5 Connection Block Diagram for URA & URA-SKU ...... 7

2.6 Connection Block Diagram for URA-XT ..................... 7

3. Configuration & Operation.........................................8

3.1 Why Cable Compensation? ....................................... 8

3.2 Compensation Adjustment Procedure ....................... 8

3.3 Advanced Adjustment (CATx AWG) .......................... 9

3.4 Why Skew Adjustment? ........................................... 10

3.5 Skew Adjustment Procedure.................................... 11

3.6 Signal Adjustment for the Daisy Chain..................... 12

4. Troubleshooting........................................................13

4.1 Contacting Hall Research ........................................ 13

4.2 Shipping and Packaging .......................................... 13

4.3 Problem Solving FAQ .............................................. 14

5. Specifications ...........................................................15

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PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

1. Introduction

1.1 General

This User’s Manual applies to Hall Research Models URA, URA­SKU, and URA-XT.

These models are video and audio over Category 5/5e/6 receivers. In
a typical application, they are located at a distance from the video
source and are connected to a compatible sender unit that converts
the audio and video source signal for transmission on twisted pair
cable.

Below is a list of capabilities & features of each receiver model:

Equalization

URA

URA-SKU

URA-XT

to 1000 ft

RGB Skew

Correction

Chain

Output

Cable Requirements

Low-Skew UTP Cable

Any UTP or STP Cable

Any UTP or STP Cable

Table 1 – Model Number Differences

Low-skew UTP cables (such as Hall Research’s Zero-skew™ Cat5
cables) are recommended with the Model URA particularly if cable
lengths are 200 feet or longer. The Models URA-SKU and URA-XT
do not have any special cable requirements since they are capable of
correcting the RGB color skew that is induced in typical Cat6 cables.

The Model URA-XT allows downstream receiver units to daisy chain
connections using UTP cables. This eliminates the need for running
separate cables from every receiver back to the sender (in star or
home-run fashion) – a very useful feature when several receivers are
located in a line going away from the sender.

Depending on the application, the URA-XT’s downstream RJ45 port
can be connected to another receiver (URA-XT, URA-SKU, or URA).
The constructed daisy chain may have:

• Up to 3750 feet maximum cable from source to last URA

• A maximum of 5 URA devices in any chain

• 750 feet maximum distance between units in a chain

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

1.2 Features

• Receives audio and video on a single CATx cable

• Adjustable cable length compensation to 1000 ft

• The URA–SKU and URA–XT units have RGB skew

correction

• Digitally controlled adjustment eliminates tweaking pots

• Supports resolutions up to 1920x1200 at any refresh rate

• Compact & rugged metal enclosure with mounting holes

• Easily expandable by daisy-chaining receivers (URA-XT)

• No software required for setup and use

2. Installation

2.1 Package Contents

Your package should contain the URA receiver unit, a Universal
power supply (5 VDC @ 2A), an IEC320 Power Cord, and a User’s
Manual.

Figure 1 – Package Contents

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PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

2.2 Connection to Compatible Senders

The URA, URA-SKU and URA-XT units accept a UTP cable
connection from any of Hall Research’s compatible UVA Sender
product line. Some compatible senders are listed below:

PART NUMBER
UVA-WP

VGA+Audio sender on a single-gang Wallplate.
Sends audio & VGA on standard RJ45 connector
on UTP cable. Includes a power supply. May be
powered from the VGA input connector per VESA
power specifications. EDID/DDC compliant
UVA-2
VGA+Audio 2-channel video splitter UTP sender
with local AV outputs. EDID/DDC compliant

UVA-4

VGA+Audio 4-channel video splitter UTP sender
with local AV outputs. EDID/DDC compliant

UVA-8

VGA+Audio 8-channel video splitter UTP sender
with local AV outputs. EDID/DDC compliant

UVA-24

VGA+Audio 24-channel video splitter UTP sender
with local AV outputs. EDID/DDC compliant

UVA-16X

16 independent VGA or component video &
Audio over UTP sender in a single 2 RU
enclosure.

Genesis 8x8 and 16x16 Matrix with -JA
output option

Up to 16 RJ45 outputs with video and audio that
can be switched to any of up to 16 AV inputs.
Housed a single 2 RU enclosure

Table 2 – Compatible Senders

(Always check the website for other models)

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

 Connect the UTP cable from any of the compatible UVA

senders to the “UTP IN” connector.

 Connect the HD15 - “PC/HDTV OUT” connector to the

display device. For YPbPr video sources, use a 3-RCA to
HD15 cable (Hall Research P/N CHD15-RGB).

 Connect the 3.5mm - “AUDIO OUT” connector to the

speakers or other sound equipment.

 Connect the included power supply to the 2.1mm – center

positive +5 VDC power input connector on the unit. Never
use any other supply as this may damage the device.

2.3 Cable Requirements

All units can be used with Cat5/5e/6 or Zero-Skew™ UTP or STP
(unshielded or shielded twisted pair) cables.

All units provide high-frequency compensation (to account for the
losses in the CATx cable). The URA-SKU and URA-XT units also
provide RGB skew correction.

Low-skew UTP cables (such as Hall Research’s Zero-skew™ Cat5
cables available in both PVC and Plenum) are recommended with the
Model URA particularly if cable lengths are 200 feet or longer. The
Models URA-SKU and URA-XT, do not have any special cable
requirements since they are capable of correcting the RGB color
skew that is induced in typical CATx cables.

2.4 Daisy-Chain Limitations

The Model URA-XT allows downstream receiver units to be daisy
chained using UTP cables. This eliminates the need for running
separate cables from every receiver back to the sender.

Depending on the application, the URA-XT’s downstream RJ45 port
can be connected to a URA-XT, URA-SKU, or URA. The constructed
daisy chain may have:

• Up to 3750 feet maximum cable from source to last URA

• A maximum of 5 URA devices in any chain

• 750 feet maximum distance between units in a chain

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PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

2.5 Connection Block Diagram for URA & URA-SKU

Figure 2 – URA & URA-SKU Application Diagram

2.6 Connection Block Diagram for URA-XT

Figure 3 – URA-XT Application Diagram

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

3. Configuration & Operation

3.1 Why Cable Compensation?

All cables attenuate (reduce) the high-frequency components of the
video signal that is being transmitted. The longer the cable, the more
signal loss. If not compensated for, this signal loss will result in blurry
and smeared images being displayed.

The image quality depends on the resolution and level of detail in the
image. The Hall Research URA series of receivers have one of the
most precise and complex equalization techniques in the industry and
allow full recovery of the original signal’s bandwidth.

It is best to make this adjustment using a test pattern that is designed
to depict and exaggerate this effect.

Some Hall Research senders may have a built-in test pattern
generator. If your sender unit is equipped with this feature, simply
activate it on the sender. Otherwise, you can connect a PC to the
source and display a test pattern. You can point your browser to

http://www.hallresearch.com/skew.htm

to adjust the compensation and to evaluate the amount of color skew
in your setup.

for an image that allows one

The table below lists the recommended maximum distances from
sender to the receiver depending on the resolution used.

Table 3 -

Recommended maximum
CATx cable length from
sender to the receiver

Resolution

Refresh Rate

60 Hz 75 Hz

800x600 1000 ft 1000 ft

1024x768 1000 ft 850 ft
1280x1024 850 ft 750 ft
1920x1200 750 ft 700 ft

3.2 Compensation Adjustment Procedure

• Press the SEL button once to enter the adjustment-mode
(i.e. without first hitting SEL button the up and down
arrows are inactive).

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• In adjustment-mode, all 3 LEDs on the unit will be turned
on.

• The UP or DOWN buttons can now be used to adjust the
high frequency (HF) compensation up or down until the
video no longer looks smeared (see figure below).

• Pressing both the UP & DOWN buttons together resets
the current adjustment back to zero. This is a quick way if
you want to start over.

• To exit the adjustment mode at any time, press the SEL
button (the unit also has a built-in timeout to exit this
mode).

PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

Figure 4 - Typical test patterns used for adjusting compensation

Figure 5 - Effect of adjustment on the smearing

3.3 Advanced Adjustment (CATx AWG)

The URA automatically equalizes the brightness of the video as
the smearing is reduced. This automatic adjustment is based on
the assumption that typical 24 AWG CATx cable is being used.
When using 23 AWG CATx cable, then when the smearing is
minimized, your image may be brighter than normal. In many
installations, this is not critical and requires no adjustment;

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

however, for the daisy chain Model (URA-XT), it is important to
set the cable type (23 vs. 24 AWG) that you are using because of
the cumulative nature of the daisy chain.

• In the adjustment-mode, press and hold the SEL button

for at least 3 seconds to enable the WIRE SIZE selection
mode between 23-gauge wire and 24-gauge wire.

• The UP button is used to select 24-gauge wire. The

DOWN button is used to select 23-gauge wire.

• To exit the adjustment mode at any time, press the SEL
button (the unit also has a built-in timeout to exit this
mode).

3.4 Why Skew Adjustment?

UTP cables have 4 twisted pairs inside. The Hall Research UVA/URA
video transmission on UTP uses 3 individual pairs for each color
(Red, Green, & Blue).

Figure 6 - skew mechanism, explained

As shown in the figure above, a characteristic of Category-5/5e/6
cable is that the pairs of wires are twisted at different rates.
Therefore, for a given length of Cat-6 cable the total length of any
particular pair could be longer than other pairs in the same cable.
Since the signals travel along the length of each pair at a fixed speed,
the arrival times of signals will be skewed in a long cable (those that
have to travel farther arrive later and the corresponding color shifts to
the right).

This is seen on the monitor as separation, or lack of convergence in
colors. For example, a vertical white line on the screen may look to
have a red tinge on the left edge and blue tinge on the right edge.

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PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

This effect gets worse at high resolutions, high refresh rates, long
cables (in excess of 200 feet), and depends on the cable construction
itself.

If you are using special UTP cables that are specifically designed for
video transmission (such as Hall Research Zero-Skew™), then there
should be no shift in color alignment regardless of the cable length.
However, in many applications standard and common Cat6 cables
may be utilized, this will necessitate a receiver that can also move
each color component to the left and right in order to realign them.
Models URA-SKU and URA-XT both are capable of doing this. It is
noteworthy that Hall Research also offers a stand-alone skew
corrector unit (Model SKU-RGB).

300 ft of CAT6 (1280x1024 source)

* actual zoomed photo of screen *

After skew adjustment

Figure 7 – Example of Skew manifested

3.5 Skew Adjustment Procedure

This procedure applies to URA-SKU and URA-XT models only.

• Press the SEL button once to enter the adjustment. Press

the SEL button again to light only one of the 3 RGB LEDs.
As you press SEL the Red, Green, and Blue LEDs will
light up one at a time.

• The UP and DOWN buttons are used to move the

selected color component to the left and right. Pressing
both buttons at the same time resets all skew
adjustments.

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

3.6 Signal Adjustment for the Daisy Chain

There are no specific procedures for adjusting the URA-XT’s other
than the order the adjustment is made.

The URA-XT’s RJ45 (Cat5) output is the video signal AFTER IT HAS
BEEN ADJUSTED.

This means that the unit closest to the sender has to be adjusted first.
Set the high frequency compensation first and then adjust the skew.
Since the effects in the daisy chain are cumulative, we recommend
that you set the gauge of CATx cable used as well (see section 3.3
above).

Remember, if the calibration is off on a URA-XT in the middle of a
daisy chain and you adjust the device settings you must then check
the rest of the downstream devices and if necessary; make additional
adjustments on those devices as well.

Adjust

First

Adjust

Second

Figure 8 – Daisy-Chain adjustment sequence

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PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

4. Troubleshooting

There are no field serviceable parts or circuits in the device. Opening
the unit will void the warranty. If you think the device is malfunctioning
(or you have no picture output), please try to use the methods
described in Section 4.3 below to obtain a picture first.

4.1 Contacting Hall Research

If you determine that the URA, URA-SKU or URA-XT is
malfunctioning, do not attempt to repair the unit instead, contact Hall
Research Technical Support at 714-641-6607.

Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem. We
will be able to provide more efficient and accurate assistance if
you have a complete description.

4.2 Shipping and Packaging

If you need to transport or ship your unit:

• Package it carefully. We recommend that you use the original
container.

• Before you ship the units back to Hall Research for repair or
return, contact us to get a Return Authorization (RMA) number.

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

4.3 Problem Solving FAQ

1. Fuzzy, blurry, or ghosting image at remote location

If you have a stable image but it looks somewhat blurry
(edges are not sharp), make sure that you have adjusted the
receiver unit’s HF compensation correctly. In addition, check
the recommended table of max distance vs. resolution to see
that you have not exceeded the maximum recommended
cable lengths. If you still have a fuzzy image, try reducing the
refresh rate and/or resolution of the video source.

2. Image exhibits steady or rolling horizontal color “hum”

bars

This is usually an indication of improper grounding at the
sending end, the receiving end, or both. Verify that the AC
line is properly wired and that a protective ground (green)
wire is established with NO potential difference between both
the sender and receiver locations. The UTP splitter can
handle up to 5 volts peak-to-peak of ground noise between
the two locations, but ground potential differences more than
this can show up on video.

3. Shaking image or periodically blanking monitor

Inherently, balanced signal transmission over twisted pair
offers good immunity to EMI coupled noise from other
external sources. However, a strong electromagnetic noise
field can cause instability in the signal.
Usual sources are high power AC lines or data and/or control
cables that run adjacent to and parallel with a substantial
length of the CAT5 cable. To eliminate this, either place a
distance between the CAT5 cables from the splitter and the
interfering source, or use shielded twisted pair (STP) CAT5
cables.

4. Poor audio quality at the receiving end

Only use powered speakers with the splitter and receivers. It
is also good practice to set the audio level (volume) output of
the PC about 1/2 to 2/3 from the maximum and use the
volume knob of the speakers to adjust the volume to the
desired level. A low volume signal output from the PC
reduces the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, whereas too high
output amplitude can cause saturation and clipping to occur.

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PC (VGA) & HD (YPbPr) AV over Twisted-Pair Receivers

5. Specifications

Video

Gain Unity
Number/signal type 1 proprietary analog signal input. Standard VGA output

Connectors 1 female RJ-45 input, 1 HD15 output
Nominal amplitude 1 V p-p for Y of component video

Impedance 75 ohms
Skew compensation 62 ns
Maximum resolution Up to 1920x1200 and 1080p at 750 ft; 1280x1024 at 850 ft
Polarity Positive or negative

Audio
Gain Unbalanced output: 0 dB
Frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±1 dB
Connector (1) 3.5 mm connector
Type Monaural, Simulated Stereo
THD + Noise 0.2% @ 1 kHz, 0.3% @ 20 kHz at nominal level

General
Recommended cable CAT 5/5e/6 (shielded or unshielded) for URA-XT and URA-

Power Supply 100 VAC to 240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, external; 5 VDC, 2 A,

Temperature/humidity Storage: -40 to +158 °F (-40 to +70 °C) / 10% to 90%, non-

Cooling Convection, vents on each end
Mounting Brackets at each end with screw hole provided for Wall or

Enclosure type Metal
Dimensions 1.18" H x 2.75" W x 3.85" D - Depth excludes connectors

Product weight 0.75 lb (0.35 kg)
Shipping weight 1.5 lbs (0.70 kg)
Vibration ISTA 1A in carton (International Safe Transit Association)
Safety CE
EMI/EMC CE, FCC Class A
MTBF 90,000 hours
Warranty 2 years parts and labor

RGBHV, RGBS, RGsB, RsGsBs, component video (bi-/tri-level
sync)

0.7 V p-p for RGB and for Pr and Pb of component video

4.0 V to 5.0 V p-p, for TTL Sync signals of RGBHV, RGBS

SKU

regulated; 2.1mm

condensing
Operating: +32 to +122 °F (0 to +50 °C) / 10% to 90%, non­condensing

Rack mounting

(30 mm H x 70 mm W x 98 mm D)

Specifications are subject to change without notice

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Model URA, URA-SKU, & URA-XT

16

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION

© Copyright 2009. Hall Research, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Order toll-free in the U.S. 800-959-6439
FREE technical support, Call 714-641-6607 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Hall Research, 1163 Warner Ave. Tustin, CA 92780
Web site: www.hallresearch.com E-mail: [email protected]