Product ID: ST1218T
The ST1218T 8 Port VGA Video Extender over Cat 5 is designed for use with our ST121 VGA over Cat 5 extension series, offering convenient VGA video distribution at distances of up to 492 feet (150 meters) using standard Cat 5 (or better) cabling.
Comprised of the transmitter unit only, the ST1218T requires one (ST121R) per display that you are connecting.
For added versatility, the (ST121EXT) can be used to extend the distance between the transmitter and receiver by an additional 492-feet (150 meters), for a total distance of 984-feet (300 meters). Similarly, up to 3 repeater units can be used between transmitter and receiver, enabling you to connect monitors at each repeater, while still extending the total distance.
This product is TAA compliant and backed by a Startech.com 2-year warranty with free lifetime technical support.
Warranty Information | Warranty | 2 Years |
---|---|---|
Connector(s) | 8 - Local Unit Connectors | RJ-45 |
1 - Local Unit Connectors | VGA (15 pin, High Density D-Sub) | |
2 - Local Unit Connectors | VGA (15 pin, High Density D-Sub) | |
Hardware | Ports | 8 |
Cabling | Cat 5 UTP or better | |
Audio | No | |
Daisy-Chain | Yes | |
Packaging Information | Package Length | 23,9 cm [9,4 in] |
Package Width | 94 mm [3,7 in] | |
Package Height | 18,7 cm [7,4 in] | |
Shipping (Package) Weight | 760 g [26,8 oz] | |
Performance | Max Distance | 150 m / 500 ft |
Supported Resolutions | 1600x1200 @ 150ft(50m) 1280x1024 @ 300ft(100m) 1024x768 @ 500ft(150m) |
|
Physical Characteristics | Color | Black |
Material | Aluminum | |
Power | Power Source | AC Adapter Included |
Input Voltage | 100 - 240 AC | |
Input Current | 0.5A | |
Output Voltage | 9V DC | |
Output Current | 0.6A | |
Center Tip Polarity | Positive | |
Power Consumption (In Watts) | 5.4 | |
Special Notes / Requirements | System and Cable Requirements | One Receiver Unit (ST121R) per display that you are connecting |
What's in the Box | 1 - Included in Package | 8 Port VGA Transmitter |
Power Adapter | ||
Instruction Manual |
We are always ready to assist you with any questions you may have.
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Live Chat (opens in new window)There are a few things you'll want to take care of before you deploy your new video extender in your setup.
It’s important to make sure you have everything you will need ahead of time. These items are listed below.
It’s also important to test everything in a simplified setup ahead of time to make sure everything works and that you understand how it works.
In order to set up your video extender, complete the following:
Note: Not all video extenders require external power, or require external power on both ends. Refer to the manual for more information.
Now that you have set up your video extender, you can check that everything is working. You should be able to see your video source's output on the display connected to the video receiver.
If at this point you have further questions regarding a Startech.com video extender, contact our technical support team for further assistance.
The problem is usually a bad quality or damaged VGA cable on either end of the extender set. Try replacing the VGA cable with a higher quality cable like StarTech.com’s MXT101MMHQ.
When you troubleshoot issues with a video extender, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:
Video and Ethernet cables
Video extender
Video source (such as a DVD player or computer)
Video destination (such as a monitor or projector)
Note: When you are testing setup components, you should avoid using video adapters. For example, if you are converting a VGA source to HDMI for use with an HDMI extender, you should use an HDMI source when you test the components.
To test your setup components, try the following:
Use the cable, video extender, video source, and video destination in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
Use a different cable, video extender, video source, and video destination in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.
When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:
Test each cable individually.
Use short cables when you are testing.
When you test the video source and video destination, it is recommended that you do the following:
Remove the video extender from your setup and test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together without the video extender.
Test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together at the resolution that you want to use.
Note: In order for your setup to work properly, the video source, extender, and destination all need to support the resolution that you are using.
Although there are multiple video outputs on certain video extenders at StarTech.com, these do not create independent displays. Instead, the input to the video extenders with multiple outputs gets mirrored or duplicated. This is because video extenders have built-in video splitters to allow for multiple video outputs.
For more information about how mirroring works, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=video#mirror-span-extend.
Note: The ST12MHDLAN can be used to create a video wall which allows for independent displays. For more information about the ST12MHDLAN, refer to the product page for ST12MDHLAN: http://www.startech.com/ST12MHDLAN.
You should only use video converters and extenders if it is absolutely necessary to do so. In many cases, most video converters and extenders are not necessary if you purchase the correct cable.
The following table lists the maximum length of cable for common video standards.
Video standard | Maximum length |
DisplayPort | 50 ft. (15.2m) |
HDMI | 50 ft. (15.2m) |
DVI | 50 ft. (15.2m) |
VGA | 200 ft. (71m) |
Note: StarTech.com offers cables longer than what is listed above, including active cables, which typically include built-in active signal boosters that allow for longer cables. Active cables are specifically designed to exceed the suggested maximum lengths and are tested at the listed specifications (for example, the maximum listed resolution).
Video adapters passively adapt a cable from one connector type to another. Video adapters do not change the signal type, or change the video standard.
Examples of common applications for adapters include the following:
DVI-I to VGA
RCA to BNC
Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort
Couplers (female to female, or male to male)
Note: You can use a coupler to extend a cable for a short distance. However, each coupler that you use can introduce signal loss, which degrades the signal quality.
Video converters actively process and change the signal type from one video standard and convert it to another standard. They are typically used to convert digital to analog and vice versa, but can be used to convert a digital signal to another digital video standard (for example, HDMI to DisplayPort).
Video converters work over short distances from the source to the destination: up to 15 feet or 3 meters.
Video extenders convert an input signal to a higher voltage for transmission over longer distances and then convert the input signal back to the original video standard. The input and the output signal will match on a video extender, as the same video standard is maintained end-to-end. If a cable is extended with adapters or converters, the signal quality degrades.
Note: For more information on using a video adapter or converter with a video extender, see the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/video_signal_converters_convert_then_extend.
If you need to use a video extender with a video adapter or converter, you should position the adapter or converter as close to the video source as possible. For example, if you need to take a VGA signal from a computer and send it 200 feet to an HDMI® projector, you should convert the signal from VGA to HDMI and use an HDMI extender.
Note: For more information on when to use cables or extenders, see the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/video_signal_converters_when_to_convert.
No, this device is designed to be a point-to-point solution using networking cabling only.
This device outputs a VGA signal. If you have a display or video destination that uses another type of video connection, there are ways that you can convert the video signal or connection. These options are outlined below and organized by the target connection.
Target connection | First conversion | Second conversion (if required) |
DVI-D | VGA to HDMI: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/?filter_AVINPUT=VGA&filter_AVOUTPUT=HDMI. | HDMI to DVI-D: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/?filter_AVINPUT=VGA&filter_AVOUTPUT=HDMI. |
DVI-I | VGA to DVI-I: https://www.startech.com/Cables/Audio-Video/Video-Adapter/DVIVGA/. | N/A |
HDMI |
VGA to HDMI: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/?filter_AVINPUT=VGA&filter_AVOUTPUT=HDMI. |
N/A |
DisplayPort | VGA to HDMI: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/?filter_AVINPUT=VGA&filter_AVOUTPUT=HDMI. | HDMI to DisplayPort: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/?filter_AVINPUT=HDMI&filter_AVOUTPUT=DisplayPort. |
Note: You might need to use more than one converter as part of your solution; however, you should try to use the least number of converters and cables to connect your source and destination. If you have the option to convert to multiple target video connections, choose the option that requires the fewest number of conversions.
When you convert from VGA to DVI, you need to know if you are converting to a DVI-I or a DVI-D connection. For more information about how to identify the type of connection that you need, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/video_signal_converters_dvi_interface.
You also need to know which form of DVI that you are using, because DVI-I supports both analog (VGA) and digital (HDMI) signals, while DVI-D only supports digital (HDMI) signals.
Note: Certain devices may have a DVI-I connection but only support DVI-D signaling. It is important to verify that your DVI-I device supports DVI-I signaling.
This device has a VGA input port. If you have a video source that uses another video connection, there are options available to convert the video signal or connection. These options will be outlined below for each video source connection.
Source connection |
Conversion |
DVI-I |
DVI-I to VGA: https://www.startech.com/DVIVGAMFBK. |
DVI-D |
DVI-D to VGA: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/?filter_AVINPUT=DVI-D&filter_AVOUTPUT=VGA. |
HDMI |
HDMI to VGA: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/?filter_AVINPUT=HDMI&filter_AVOUTPUT=VGA. |
DisplayPort |
DisplayPort to VGA: https://www.startech.com/AV/Displayport-Converters/DP-VGA/. |
When you convert from DVI to VGA, you need to know if you are converting from a DVI-I or a DVI-D connection. For more information about how to identify the type of connection that you have, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/video_signal_converters_dvi_interface.
You also need to know which form of DVI that you are using, because DVI-I supports both analog (VGA) and digital (HDMI) signals, while DVI-D only supports digital (HDMI) signals. Some DVI-I connections only support DVI-D signaling. In this case, you must use a DVI-D to VGA converter.
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