HDMI over IP Extender with Audio

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.

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

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

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

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.

To get the highest quality signal from your source to your display when you use an HDMI extender, do the following:

• Make sure that the HDMI versions of the source, extender, and destination are compatible. For example, if you require 3D support, make sure that all of the devices can support 3D over HDMI.

• Use the least amount of adapters, splitters, or converters as possible. Each device that you use in your setup creates additional points of potential failure and creates more steps for an HDCP key to hop through, which may cause issues with older displays. For more information on HDCP, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/video_signal_converters_HDCP.

• Use an HDMI extender that exceeds the requirements of the setup. For example, if you need to extend the signal 200 feet, it is best to use an extender capable of more than 200 feet.

• Make sure that all of the CAT 5/6 runs are as straight as possible, with the least amount of coiling.

• Make sure that all of the patches, wall jacks, and cables use the highest possible CAT specification, (for example, CAT 6), and were tested to conform to the standard.

• Use patches, wall jacks, and cables with the same pin configuration. For more information on T568A versus T568B wiring, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/network_cables_a_vs_b_pinout.

• Keep the cabling away from sources of high noise.

• Make sure that you use adequate electrical grounding in your setup.

Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.

Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).

2. After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
3. In the list of extracted files, right-click the Driver-Setup.exe file and click Run as Administrator.

Note: If the Run as Administrator option is not available, you might be trying to run the installer from within the zipped file. Complete the instructions in step 2 to extract the files.

4. Complete the instructions to install the device drivers, and restart your computer when prompted to.

To install the USB Server software, complete the following:

1. In the list of extracted files, open the Windows folder.
2. In the App folder, right-click the USBServer_Setup file and click Run as Administrator.

Note: If the Run as Administrator option is not available, you might be trying to run the installer from within the zipped file. Complete the instructions above to extract the files.

3. Complete the instructions to install the USB Server, and restart your computer when prompted to.

For information on configuring the USB Server software, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/ipusb2vga_ipusb2hd2_usb_server_software

Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.

Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\your_name\My Documents\Downloads).

2. After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.

3. In the list of extracted files, double-click the Driver-Setup file.

4. Complete the instructions to install the device drivers.

5. When prompted to, restart your computer.

To install the USB Server, complete the following:

1. In the list of extracted files, open the Windows folder.

2. Navigate to the App folder.

3. Double-click the USBServer_Setup file.

4. Complete the instructions to install the USB Server.

5. When prompted to, restart your computer.

For information on configuring the USB Server software, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/ipusb2vga_ipusb2hd2_usb_server_software

Prior to installing this device, ensure that your operating system is up to date (for example, you have installed the most recent service pack).

To install the USB Server software:

1. Download the latest software package from the StarTech.com website (http://www.startech.com/Support). You can find the part number and product ID on the product’s packaging.

Note: Windows will typically save the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).

2. Once the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, select Extract All, and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Select the appropriate folder for your operating system.
4. Right-click Setup.exe. 
5. Click Run as Administrator.

Note: If the Run as Administrator option is not available, you might be attempting to run the installer from within the zipped file. Extract the files using the instructions in Step 2.

6. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software and restart the computer when prompted.
7. Your computer will automatically complete the software installation and your device should be ready to use.

Set up the software

Confirm that the extender is on the same network as your computer. If you are using a network with DHCP, you do not need to configure anything further.

If you are using an Ethernet cable to connect to the unit or you are using a network without DHCP, you need to change the IP address on your computer to the default IP network of the IP device server. Change the IP address of your system to 192.168.1.XXX, where XXX is a number between 1 and 49.

Note: The default IP address of the extender is 192.168.1.50 on the default subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

USB Server software

Your extender is detected by the USB Server software when the software is launched.

Note: It may take a few minutes for the server to appear in the software.

When the extender appears in the list (for example, USB2HDMI), click either the display or media device associated with the server. Click on one of the devices and then click Connect Device.

When the USB Server software configuration is complete, the display and media devices are connected to your system as though the devices are installed locally. By default, Windows creates an extended desktop for the display, which you can reconfigure in the control panel.

If hardware acceleration is enabled on any of your software applications, it can result in poor resource management and limit the performance of your video device. If you experience this problem, you should disable hardware acceleration in the program(s) that were impacted. 

To disable hardware acceleration in common applications and operating systems, complete one of the following series of steps, depending on what software application(s) or operating system that you are running.

Chromium-Based Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the Options icon (it has three dots on it).
2. Click Settings.
3. Click System.
4. Uncheck Use hardware acceleration when available.

Internet Explorer 9 and later

Note: Earlier versions of Internet Explorer do not use hardware acceleration.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Open Control Panel.
3. Click Network and Internet.
4. Click Internet Options.
5. Click the Advanced tab.
6. Browse to the Accelerated graphics screen.
7. Select the Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering check box.
8. Click Apply.
9. Restart your computer.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Press the Alt key.
3. Click Tools and Options.
4. Click the Advanced icon.
5. Click the General tab.
6. Under Browsing, clear the Use hardware acceleration when available check box.
7. Click the OK button.
8. Restart your web browser.

Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the Options icon (it has three horizontal lines on it).
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Show advanced settings.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and clear the Use hardware acceleration when available check box.
6. Restart your web browser.

Microsoft Office 2013 / 2010

1. Open any program in Microsoft Office (for example, Microsoft Word).
2. Click the File tab.
3. In the menu on the left side of the screen, click Options.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Under Display, select the Disable hardware graphics acceleration check box.
6. Close and restart all of the Microsoft Office programs that you had open.

Windows 10 / 8

1. Press the Windows key +X.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Personalization.
4. Select a high-contrast theme.

Windows 7 / Vista

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Personalization.
4. Select a non-Aero theme. Ideally, you should select a basic and high-contrast theme.

Windows XP

1. Click the Start button.
2. Open the Control Panel.
3. Select Display.
4. Click the Settings tab.
5. Click Advanced.
6. Click the Troubleshooting tab.
7. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to None.
8. Restart your computer.

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.

If the device is not detected in the USB Server software, complete the following:

• Make sure that the computer is on the same network as the device.
• By default, the device uses DHCP. On a network that is plug-and-play, the device is assigned an IP address by the DHCP server and is detected by a computer that is on the same network as the device.
• To troubleshoot the device, connect it directly to a computer on the 192.168.1 network. For more information about configuring the USB Server software, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/ipusb2vga_ipusb2hd2_usb_server_software.
• If the network configuration of the device was changed, you cannot complete a hardware reset to put the unit back on 192.168.1.50. Instead, you need to obtain the static IP address from the person who modified the server.
• Wait 5 minutes for the USB Server software to detect the device.
• Move the device to a less congested network.

There may be several reasons that the display on the IP video extender is black. To determine the cause of the issue, try the following:

• Make sure that the USB Server software was installed and configured properly, and that the displays are detected. For more information about configuring the USB Server software, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/ipusb2vga_ipusb2hd2_usb_server_software.
• Make sure that the USB Server software detects the IP video extender. For more information about troubleshooting issues with the USB Server software, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/ipusb2vga_ipusb2hd2_loss_of_network_connection..
• Confirm that the network equipment that you are using is capable of gigabit speeds.
• In the control panel on your computer, make sure that a compatible resolution is being sent to the monitor.
• Make sure that the display is set to the correct input. Some displays have multiple inputs that you can switch between. 
• Make sure that the background is not black.