The distance limitations of digital video have put new demands on precision cable manufacturing and modern AV circuitry requires increasingly stable and reliable power sources. The devices shown here represent advances in cable and power support for AV transmission and trouble-free delivery.
The CNK222 Cable Nook from Altinex is designed to give conference room presenters a simple yet versatile tool for easily connecting AC power, USB charging HDMI, network, and other media sources right on the table top. The cabling can be stored inside the box and covered by the on-rails lid. The CNK-IP-210 faceplate is equipped with two CNK-IP-200 single gang dual power, dual USB plates and one CNK-IP-217 HDMI module. This provides a total of four AC outlets, four USB charging ports, an HDMI pass-through connector and four blank snap-in ports that can be customized.
For 20A AC power distribution with remote activation AtlasIED offers the AP-S20RT with EVS (Extreme Voltage Shutdown) to safeguard connected equipment and RFI/EMI noise filtering. The remote activation allows up to 20A of clean electrical power to be switched on or off with a simple latched dry contact closure. With the a remote activation switch, 12VDC at 100mA is available to power a remote status LED. On the rear panel the single space rack unit features six switched, two unswitched AC outlets and remote activation bypass switch. On the front is a single unswitched convenience outlet.
The Belden 4K Ultra HD Media Cable is designed for optimal performance in 4K HDBaseT transmission which it can deliver to distances over 100 meters. The compact cable, rated to withstand 45lbs. of pull tension, has a small bend radius and it incorporates a corrugated foil shield and a helical drain. They can be terminated using the Belden REVConnect product line of modular shielded plugs and jacks eliminating the need to separate the bonded pairs.
In March, Black Box introduced its ultra-thin (.048mm) Active Optical Cable product range for transmission of ultra-high-bandwidth video and audio (including PCM 8-channel, DTS-HD and Dolby Digital True HD surround sound analog). With this triple-shielded, hybrid fiber/ copper cable, users can extend HDMI signals with resolutions up to 4K at 60 Hz 4:4:4 and DisplayPort signals with resolutions up to 8K @ 60 Hz 4:4:4 for more than 200 meters. The cables were designed to provide a simple, time-saving alternative to HDMI/DP cables or AV extender kits, especially for high density UHD installations such as digital signage, control room, surveillance, medical optical imaging, video walls, VT, and high density enterprise applications. Active Optical Cables support HDMI: full 4K UHD resolutions up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 Hz, chroma 4:4:4 with up to 18 Gbps bandwidth; and DisplayPort: full 8K UHD resolutions up to 7680 x 4320 at 60 Hz or 32.4 Gbps. The cables’ hybrid fiber/copper design allows power to be pulled from the source and transmitted over copper to the display side, with no external power required. Standard lengths are 10, 15, and 30 meters (box) and 50 or 100 meters (spool). The cables are hot-swappable, require no software and are compatible with Black Box and third-party equipment.
Cleerline’s Cleerline SSF Cleerfiber cable provides fiber optic speed and reliability in one clear strand of cable. Constructed with a transparent jacket, SSF Cleerfiber can virtually disappear into any indoor setting. Offering the same strength, safety, and speed of termination as the entire line of SSF fiber optic solutions, Cleerfiber provides signal distribution without the necessity of penetrating walls. SSF Cleerfiber makes it possible to discreetly connect components with a cable that resembles fishing line. SSF Cleerfiber is a single strand of SSF 50/125/250 μm multimode fiber contained within a 900 μm transparent jacket. Like all SSF cables, Cleerfiber incorporates SSF polymer coating at the glass label for durability and bend-insensitivity. SSF Cleerfiber can be routed and placed along baseboards or ceilings, up walls, or directed anywhere for easy indoor point-to-point cable placement. The cable can be caulked and painted over.
Crestron PC-200 is a single RU rack mountable 15A, 120V AC power controller, conditioner, and surge protector with energy monitoring of all connected devices. It has switching of three separate outlet banks and it features network connectivity, web browser setup, event logging, ping monitoring, temperature sensing, and UL 1449 compliance. Front panel LED indicators show power, faults, protection activation and shutdown. There is also a front panel always-on AC outlet.
The DVIGear HyperLight Series optical cables are fully HDCP 1.4 / 2.2 compliant and support signals with data rates up to 32.4 Gbps to support very high resolution applications at 4K/60Hz (4:4:4) with cable lengths up to 100 meters and 8K/30Hz (4:4:4) up to 50 meters. Plenum rated (UL CMP-OF), compact, lightweight and highly flexible, the HyperLight cables have a minimum bend radius of just two millimeters and their DisplayPort docking connectors may be detached, revealing a connector cross-section that measures just 10 x 12.4 millimeters to get through tight openings. The video signals are transmitted over four optical fibers, which make them immune to interference from environmental noise.
FSR’s new Symphony Linx addresses power and data needs in work and learning environments. Symphony Linx provides easy access to power either on, or under a single work surface area by allowing users to interconnect one Symphony table box to the next—providing power for all in the series. Designed with reconfiguration in mind, Linx makes it easy to add power and connectivity to any work environment. Presented in a modern design with no visible hardware, the main table box powers up two satellite units from a single AC power cord. Above table and under table models that fasten simply with a clamp are both available with choices of power and charging options, interconnecting cord lengths, and AC power cord length. Symphony Linx is available with up to eight AC outlets and four USB Chargers. The Linx is offered in black or white.
Furman’s CN-1800S is a single rack space device featuring SmartSequencing technology and bidirectional communications between multiple units, a primary can control and sequence multiple secondary units. Its RS-232 ports and command sets enable it to be operated through control systems and an optional RS-232-to-Ethernet adapter adds full IP-addressability to the unit, allowing it to be controlled, programmed, and monitored from a smartphone, tablet, PC, or any Web-enabled device. It includes noise filtration, voltage/ surge protection and it provides a total of nine AC outlets.
Hall Research put removable ends on their CHD-DExx 4K-Javelin active plenum HDMI cable and configured them to extend HDMI signals 33-100 ft. with zero loss. DVI cable ends are also available. A light-weight hybrid of fiber and copper, the cable has proprietary circuitry inside the HDMI connectors to make the conversion from video to light pulses and back. The onboard converters operate on HDMI bus power and a pulling capsule with eyelet is provided in each package.
For a low cost solution to short fiber optic runs Hosa Technology has a variety of lengths from 3 to 30ft. in its Pro Fiber Optic Cable each of which is terminated in Toslink connectors. This plastic optical fiber (POF) cable is designed to interconnect digital audio components and it is compatible with ADAT and all S/PDIF formats, including Dolby Digital and DTS surround. The polished optical terminations provide minimum signal loss and the tough construction will stand up to demanding applications.
The Juice Goose CQ-1520 has 7 AC power outlets on the rear panel with a total rating of 20A. One of these is unswitched and the others are grouped into three power pods of two outputs each. The power pods’ activation can be sequenced and each CQ-1520 unit can be the master or slave in a power sequencing system. Indicator LEDs on the front provide real time monitoring of the processor and sequencing functions.
Kramer Electronics designed the TBUS202xl Dual Pop–Up Table Mount Multi– Connection Solution to be accessible from either side of the conference table with its pneumatic lifts that close flush with the table surface. They can be fitted with a custom choice of Universal, USA, European and many other power connections and each includes 15–pin HD, HDMI, 3.5mm and Ethernet ports. The enclosure is constructed of anodized aluminum and tops are available in silver and black.
Another very slick looking power and cable connecting box is the Legrand-Wiremold InteGreat A/V Table Box with USB. Available in a selection of finishes, the unit has an activation surface that can be lowered in 1/2in. increments from 1in. to 4in. to accommodate a range of longer cable connectors. The accompanying template makes installation hole cutting easy and the unit can be purchased in both cord-ended and field-wired versions.
The Lowell Manufacturing ACSPRSEQ6-2009 rack-mounted power sequencer has nine AC outlets, six of which are switched and three are unswitched. The four-step sequencer has a screwdriver adjustable delay between steps that can be set between 0.5 and 10 seconds and this can be activated either by a front panel rocker switch or through a rear panel remote control terminal block. The unit includes surge suppression and an alarm interface. The front panel includes LED indicators for power, circuit activation and surge protection.
Earlier this month, Middle Atlantic announced that the WRP, WRS and HDR Series of wall enclosures are being discontinued, effective October 1, 2019, and will be replaced by the VWM Series wall enclosure. VWM Series Wall Cabinets are available in a variety of pre-configured models to maximize space and handle the highest density of components of any vertical wall cabinet in the industry. No further configuration is necessary as each model includes a patent-pending design that has flexible position spaces for the included rackrail, multiple knockouts, electrical box, and different levels of user access depending on the model. The pre-configured VWM Series Wall Cabinets also can be customized to support additional small device mounting within the cabinet and/or on the door, thermal management, cable integrity, and power distribution for a systems approach that ensures uptime and reliability.
Among the wide range of connectors and cables from Neutrik is the PowerCON TRUE 1 series. These are the familiar locking 20A true mains types with breaking capacity (CBC) and dust and water resistant according to IP65 in mated condition. This line of connectors has unique Neutrik cable retention and they are ENEC certified according to IEC 60320. The male connector is the NAC3MX-W and the female is the NAC3FX-W.
Opticis DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 converting active optical cable extends 4K (4096×2160) at 60Hz up to 100m (328feet) over plenum graded (or LSZH) hybrid cable. A high-retention HDMI connector, (Rx) side, allows more retention force compared to standard HDMI connector; the DisplayPort connector secures its connection with its own locking mechanism.
The VT4315-PRO from Panamax has a vertically rack mounted form factor that offers 15A power control with linear noise filtration, automatic voltage monitoring and catastrophic surge protection. The BlueBOLT enabled system enables users to remotely reboot 12 outlets in 8 individually controlled banks as well as monitor energy use, set alerts and program scheduled commands. The outlets are spaced apart to accommodate wall wart DC power transformers and at 37 inches it fits into most racks 20 RU and up
Rapco Horizon’s S Series snakes feature nylon “D” series type connectors on a steel box with raised edges to guard against connector damage and the return lines can be specified as either 1/4in. or XLR on the fanout end and on the box. The 6 through 16 line variants include nylon strain relief grip and each line has a channel number ID. The 24 – 40 channel versions have metal mesh grips and all circuits are hand soldered.
Rose Electronics designed its new CrystalLink USB3.1 Active Optical Cable with built in optics to extend USB up to 300ft. while using USB bus power. The low smoke zero halogen jacket can be run through plenum or floor-to-floor. The three available models include hybrid cable that supports USB3.1 gen 1 / USB 2.0 and provides power through cable, a second model for pure optical cable and a third model that is hybrid with power transmission capability.
SnapAV’s WattBox ultra-compact IP Power outlets provide IP power and remote monitoring in the smallest form factor in the industry. This budget-friendly UL listed, single-controlled bank with two outlets is designed to stop service calls with OvrC, SnapAV’s free remote management and servicing system. Through the OvrC dashboard, you can reboot and troubleshoot devices remotely, eliminating unnecessary truck rolls. Software includes scheduling features, notifications, and an end-user app.
The SurgeX UPS-1000-OL is a standalone 1000VA UPS that uses online double conversion technology and hot swappable internal batteries to deliver AC power with zero interruption in case of an external outage. Also configurable for 19in. rack mounting, the unit has a load rating of 8.3A and an extended scalable runtime up to 8 hours via self-charging extended battery packs. There is an RS232 port, USB Type B and on optional SNMP card, an RJ45 terminal.
Thinklogical’s PDU 4/4 Remote Power Distribution Unit provides eight individually controlled AC power outlets in a single rack unit system. It features password security, user definable port names and port groups along with a front panel LCD for easy setup and configuration. It also has redundant DC power supplies for built-in I/O and control circuits and individually programmable Reboot Time Delay on each outlet. The unit works in conjunction with Thinklogical’s Secure Console Servers. The PDU offers effective out-of-band management by enabling users to power cycle, hard boot, and control power to individual servers through console management sessions.
The OMNI1500LCDT Line-Interactive Tower UPS System from Tripp Lite provides surge suppression and Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) circuits continuously regulate brownouts and overvoltages from 92V to 150V back to usable levels while maintaining backup battery power. The back panel has 10 built-in outlets, 5 with full battery backup and surge suppression. The built-in USB port enables optional unattended system shutdown without data loss in case of extended power failure and the PowerAlert software can be downloaded.
The Magenta HDMI 2.0 Active Optical Cable (MG-AOC-66x) from tvONE supports up to 4K60 4:4:4 with no compression or latency up to 328ft. without the need for external power and is available in UL rated Plenum (CMP). It allows HDCP 2.0 support of bi-directional EDID and HDCP communication using its 4 channel 850nm VCSEL array source. The cable is a hybrid type with OM3 fiber and copper wire.
Whirlwind’s versatile PLR Distro series can provide power in a range of connector types and it can be fitted with a custom assortment of input panels, main breaker panels, combo panels, output panels, and power meter/accessories. The custom-made PLRs are built into a self-contained UL listed enclosure. The PLR-SKB02 puts all of this capability into an SKB waterproof case to make it ready for the road.
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