StarTech.com ST1218T Instruction Manual

ST1218T

VGA over Cat5 UTP Extender

- 8 Port

FCC Compliance Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital de­vice, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.•

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.•

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver •

is connected.

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.•

Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols

This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other protected
names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to StarTech.com. Where
they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent an endorse­ment of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an endorsement of the product(s) to which
this manual applies by the third-party company in question. Regardless of any direct acknowl­edgement elsewhere in the body of this document, StarTech.com hereby acknowledges that all
trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and other protected names and/or symbols
contained in this manual and related documents are the property of their respective holders.

Instruction Manual

i

Instruction Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................... 1

Features ......................................................................................1

Package Contents .......................................................................1

Product Description ...................................................................... 2

Front Panel ..................................................................................2

Rear Panel ...................................................................................2

Hardware Installation .................................................................... 3

Installing the ST1218T Transmitter Unit .......................................3

Installing the ST121R Receiver Units (not included) ...................3

Driver Installation .......................................................................... 3

Cat5 Cable ...................................................................................... 4

Operation ........................................................................................ 5

LED..............................................................................................5

Equalizer Selector (ST121R, ST121EXT) ...................................5

Specifications ................................................................................ 6

Troubleshooting ............................................................................. 7

Technical Support ......................................................................... 8

Warranty Information .................................................................... 8

Instruction Manual

1

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the StarTech.com ST1218T VGA over Cat5
UTP Extender - 8 Port. The Converge A/V VGA over Cat5 video extender
allows you to connect up to eight remote displays directly from one video
source. The video signal is sent to remote monitors over standard Cat5
UTP cable using RJ45 connectors and supports distances of up to 150m
(492ft). The ST1218T requires the ST121R remote receivers or the
ST121EXT repeater/extender to connect additional displays in between
the Transmitter (ST1218T) and Receiver (ST121R).

Allow Converge A/V to provide you with digital signage solutions.
Applications include airports, bus depots, retail, or any large buildings
where video needs to be delivered at long distances.

Features

Consists of 1 Base unit (Transmitter) for distributing 8 remote displays •
through Cat5 and two local VGA displays

Extends video cables by up to 492 ft. (150m)•

Provides crystal clear picture quality •

Pure hardware design, no software or drivers required and easy to •

install

Supports VGA, SVGA, and Multisync monitors •

Use repeaters along your path to connect additional displays or to •
connect directly to a remote display

Package Contents

1 x ST1218T Transmitter Unit•

1 x Universal Power Adapter•

1 x Instruction Manual•

Instruction Manual

2

Product Description

Front Panel

Rear Panel

RJ45 Output to

Receiver Units

RJ45 Output to

Receiver Units

Power

Input

VGA Input (male) VGA Output (female)

Instruction Manual

3

Hardware Installation

Installing the ST1218T Transmitter Unit

Place the Transmitter Unit near the local (source) computer.1.

Switch off the computer and disconnect any existing VGA cables.2.

If desired, connect the VGA cable from the local computer display(s) to 3.
the female DE-15 VGA ports on the Transmitter Unit. This will enable
you to see video locally while an image is transmitted to the remote
display. You may choose to connect up to two local displays, one for
each “Monitor” port. Both outputs display the same image.

Connect a male-to-female DE-15 VGA cable (not provided) to the VGA 4.
output on the local computer. Connect the opposite end to the VGA IN
port on the Transmitter Unit.

Connect each Cat5 cable connection to the “CAT5 OUT” ports on the 5.
Transmitter Unit.

Connect the Power Adapter (provided) into an appropriate power 6.
source and plug the opposite end into the power connector on the
Transmitter Unit. The POWER LED will light up.

NOTE: To prevent potential electrical damage to the unit in some
environments, ensure that the chassis is properly grounded.

Installing the ST121R Receiver Units (not included)

Connect the opposite end of the Cat5 cable from the Transmitter Unit to 1.
the “CAT5 IN” port on the ST121R Receiver Units.

Adjust the Signal Equalizer switch setting to the appropriate length of 2.
Cat5 cable used (see documentation included with St121R).

Connect the Power Adapter provided with the ST121R into an 3.
appropriate power source and plug the opposite end into the power
connector on the ST121R Receiver Unit. The POWER LED will light up.

Driver Installation

No driver installation is required for this video extender as they are pure
hardware solutions and not visible to the computer system.

Instruction Manual

4

Cat5 Cable

The Video Extenders requires an unshielded twisted pair Cat5 cable no
longer than 150m (500ft.).

The cable must be wired according to the EIA/TIA 568B industry standard
as shown below.

NOTE: Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat6 cables can also be used with the extender
pair.

The above diagram shows the RJ45 connector of a Cat5 cable with its
metal contacts facing up.

Pin Wire Color Pair

1 White/Orange 2

2 Orange 2

3 White/Green 3

4 Blue 1

5 White/Blue 1

6 Green 3

7 White/Brown 4

8 Brown 4

Instruction Manual

5

Operation

LED

There are two LEDs on the Transmitter unit. The POWER LED will
illuminate indicating that the unit is properly powered. The ACTIVE LED
illuminates when there are VGA input signals present.

The POWER LED of the Receiver and Reapter Units also illuminates
indicating that the unit is properly powered. The ACTIVE LED illuminates
when VGA signals are properly decoded from the Cat5 for the two local
DE-15 VGA outputs.

Signal Equalizer Selector (ST121R, ST121EXT)

The Signal Equalizer Selector on the Receiver and Repeater Units
can be adjusted to obtain the optimal video signal for various cable
lengths. There are four settings on the selector switch, indicating cables
of different lengths. The following table can be used as a reference for
selecting the appropriate setting:

Cat5 Cable Length Equalizer

Position

meters feet

0 ~ 40 0 ~ 131

40 ~ 80 131 ~ 262

80 ~ 120 262 ~ 394

120 ~ 150 394 ~ 500

Instruction Manual

6

Specications

Connectors

1 x DE-15 VGA male (input)

2 x DE-15 VGA female (output)

8 x RJ45 female

1 x Power connector

LEDs

1 x Power
1 x Active

Maximum Distance

150 m (492 ft) @ 1024x768

Maximum Video Resolution

1600x1200 @ 50 m (150 ft)

Power Adapter

9~12VDC, 1.5A

Dimensions

180.0mm x 85.0mm 20.0mm

Weight

1300 g

Instruction Manual

7

Troubleshooting

Symptom Solution

No VGA signals at the Reeceiver
unit

Both units must be powered.

The ACTIVE LED on the Transmitter
unit and the Receiver unit must
illuminate to indicate the proper
transmission of the signal.

VGA signal is garbled Ensure that the cables being used

are wired according to the EIA568B
standard.

ACTIVE LED at the Receiver unit is
always off.

The ACTIVE LED on the Transmitter
unit must be on. Check the wiring of
the Cat5 cable.

Ensure that the POWER LED of the
Remote unit is on.

VGA quality changes with the use of
different Cat5 Cables.

Use the equalizer selector to adjust
the VGA signal for various cable
lengths and characteristics.

Instruction Manual

8

Technical Support

StarTech.com’s lifetime technical support is an integral part of our commit­ment to provide industry-leading solutions. If you ever need help with your
product, visit www.startech.com/support and access our comprehensive
selection of online tools, documentation, and downloads.

Warranty Information

This product is backed by a one year warranty. In addition, StarTech.
com warrants its products against defects in materials and workman­ship for the periods noted, following the initial date of purchase. During
this period, the products may be returned for repair, or replacement with
equivalent products at our discretion. The warranty covers parts and labor
costs only. StarTech.com does not warrant its products from defects or
damages arising from misuse, abuse, alteration, or normal wear and tear.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall the liability of StarTech.com Ltd. and StarTech.com USA
LLP (or their officers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages
(whether direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or
otherwise), loss of profits, loss of business, or any pecuniary loss, arising
out of or related to the use of the product exceed the actual price paid
for the product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages. If such laws apply, the limitations or
exclusions contained in this statement may not apply to you.

StarTech.com has been making “hard-to-find easy” since 1985,
providing high quality solutions to a diverse IT and A/V customer
base that spans many channels, including government, education
and industrial facilities to name just a few. We offer an unmatched
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