Digital signage vga senders

[cromertech]

We had a digital signage solution installed for us from a company who we later fell out with due to differences of opinion.

 

The TV's are still up though as they were purchased so I thought I would have another go at getting them to display. The pc that used to run the display software had motherboard failure but I think there may have been a power spike which took it out.

 

I have XIBO set up on a server here and a display pc connected to a vga splitter which is in turn connected to 3 vga over ethernet senders. It appears that these are doing nothing as no signal is being picked up at the other end.

 

Does anyone know of an easy way to test these? I have checked the network cable runs and there is not problem with them but I'm not sure how to check the senders/receivers. I tried taking them out and putting them between a pc and a monitor but I get a no signal response. Does this mean they are duff?

 

What would you suggest replacing them with?

 

I would really like to get these going again as they were good while they lasted and it was the easiest way to get messages around the school.

[glen_j]

it does sound like they might be faulty if you've tried the between a pc and monitor (assuming when the monitor is plugged into said pc it works correctly), we use these 150m VGA Extenders Free Delivery : Monitor Splitters Selectors : Maplin and they're pretty good

[Oaktech]

If you can't get what you've got working, i would use kramer pico tools vga over ethernet boxes, they just work.

 

just go through the system piecemeal, use short bits of cable, take spare monitors around.

 

check there is output from the VGA splitter first using a monitor you know works,

 

then try sending the signal from the pc down each line bypassing the splitter.

 

if you get one set of senders/recievers that work, check the other runs with them, because just because the ethernet checks out OK for pc's , doesn't necesarilly mean it'll work with vga over it.

 

best of luck with this and if you want any more help PM me, i used to do this kind of thing for a living.

[cromertech]

Thanks @glen_j purchased one to test. Not as expensive as I thought they would be.

[DAZZD88]

Have you also double checked the PSUs for the senders and receivers?

[cromertech]

just go through the system piecemeal, use short bits of cable, take spare monitors around.

 

check there is output from the VGA splitter first using a monitor you know works,

 

Is this simply if it shows "no signal" or not?

 

then try sending the signal from the pc down each line bypassing the splitter.

 

I think I'm being dumb here but can you elaborate? How do I test for the signal without the splitter on?

 

if you get one set of senders/recievers that work, check the other runs with them, because just because the ethernet checks out OK for pc's , doesn't necesarilly mean it'll work with vga over it.

 

This bit I get (Always use known good to test. I learnt that much with troubleshooting )

[cromertech]

Have you also double checked the PSUs for the senders and receivers?

 

I have tested these with a multimeter for correct voltage.

[plexer]

Thanks @glen_j purchased one to test. Not as expensive as I thought they would be.

 

Looking forward to you posting your findings of this unit as it looks good I need something simmilar to run a connection to a projector in our main hall.

 

Ben

[Oaktech]

yeah... so, the signal chain goes pc->splitter->vga cable-> vga sender -> ethernet cable->vga reciever-> TV. yes?

 

so, go pc->splitter vga->cable-> KNOWN WORKING MONITOR to prove the splitter.

 

then go pc->vga cable-> vga sender and see if anything comes to life on each line.

 

then remove the vga sender from each line, take a laptop and a short piece of cat5 and go to each tv, plug the laptop into the sender, and the short cat5 into the sender and reciever and see if anything comes to life. try all senders with all recievers.

 

also try the laptop directly into each TV to prove the TV's come to life with a vga signal.

 

also be aware that there is a good chance that the senders will only run 1024 x 768 @60hz and will fail to fire up with any other signal. if you can find the manual for them you might get a clue.

[glen_j]

i have 2 of these @plexer that we use in our hall they work perfectly, there is also one that does the sound too Edited October 14, 2011 by glen_j

[cromertech]

also be aware that there is a good chance that the senders will only run 1024 x 768 @60hz and will fail to fire up with any other signal. if you can find the manual for them you might get a clue.

 

No manual. Can't even find one online. The only thing I know about them is they are Abtus CAT-GA11T/A.

 

I have managed to get a signal from laptop direct to TV with vga but I will try other combinations of sender/receiver as well.

 

Many thanks for help

[Oaktech]

manual here: http://www.abtussingapore.com/user_manual/UM_CAT-5_GA11T-A_GA14MT-A_GA11R-A.pdf

 

as it happens they are good up to 1600x1200!

[CyberDrac]

Just checking, we had something similar which uses Cat5 as point to point connection and someone in a moment of less that perfectly clear thought tried to pass it through the switch and with it not being an IP device this failed.

[cromertech]

I keep checking this but it's not that. It does go through a patch panel but that is all

[CyberDrac]

I keep checking this but it's not that. It does go through a patch panel but that is all

Cool, just wanted to rule out the embarrassingly obvious.

[cromertech]

Good thinking though and I have been so paranoid about it that I just went to check again