Media Converters / HDBaseT
LevelOne Media Converters and HDBaseT Extenders: Flexible Signal Transmission for Networks and AV Applications
In today's connected world, reliable transmission of data and AV signals across various distances and media types is crucial for businesses, educational institutions, and demanding home applications. LevelOne, an established provider of networking solutions, offers a wide range of components for this purpose, encompassing both classic media converters for extending Ethernet networks via fiber optics and innovative HDBaseT extenders for high-quality distribution of AV signals over standard LAN cables. Whether it's bridging network distances of hundreds of meters or even kilometers using fiber optics, eliminating electromagnetic interference, or distributing uncompressed 4K video signals along with control and power over a single LAN cable – LevelOne delivers practical, reliable, and cost-effective components. Discover at etree how LevelOne media converters and HDBaseT extenders can overcome your connectivity challenges and open up new possibilities.
Why LevelOne for Signal Transmission? The Overall Advantages:
- Cost-Effectiveness and Attractive Price-Performance Ratio: LevelOne is known for offering solid and functional solutions at competitive prices.
- Wide Range for Common Requirements: A good selection of models for the most frequent scenarios in network and AV technology.
- Ease of Use and Installation: The focus is on user-friendly, often plug-and-play capable devices.
- Reliability for Everyday Use and Professional Basic Applications: Robust components for stable operation.
- Practical Solutions for Specific Problems: Whether distance bridging, media conversion, or signal bundling – LevelOne offers purpose-oriented products.
Part 1: LevelOne Media Converters – Stable Bridges for Your Ethernet Network
What are Media Converters and What Are They For?
Media converters are network devices that convert signals from one media type to another, typically from copper Ethernet (twisted-pair cable) to fiber optic (optical fiber cable) and vice versa. Their main purpose is to overcome the distance limitations of copper cables (approx. 100 meters for Ethernet) and to utilize the advantages of fiber optics, such as higher bandwidth over longer distances and immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Advantages of LevelOne Media Converters:
- Bridging Long Distances: Enable network connections over several kilometers using singlemode fiber optics.
- Immunity to Interference in EMI-Prone Environments: Fiber optics are insensitive to electromagnetic interference, ideal for industrial plants or environments with many electrical devices.
- Cost-Effective Network Expansion and Migration: Allow for a phased integration of fiber optics into existing copper networks or the connection of remote network segments.
- Simple Plug-and-Play Installation: Most LevelOne media converters are unmanaged and require no complex configuration.
- Support for Various Speeds: Models for Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) and Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) are common. Occasionally, 10 Gigabit options are also available.
- Variety of Models for Different Fiber Types and Connectors: For multimode and singlemode fibers, with different connector types (SC, ST, LC) or flexible SFP slots.
- Compact Design: Standalone devices that take up little space and are easy to install. Some models are also available for chassis systems.
- Optional PoE Functionality: Some converters can power PoE-enabled devices (e.g., IP cameras, WLAN APs) at the copper end.
LevelOne Media Converter Types in Detail:
Copper-to-Fiber Converters
The most common type, converting electrical Ethernet signals (10/100Base-TX, 1000Base-T) into optical signals (100Base-FX, 1000Base-SX/LX/BX, etc.).
- Fast Ethernet Converters: Convert 10/100 Mbps copper Ethernet to 100Base-FX fiber. Suitable for older networks or applications with lower bandwidth requirements.
- Gigabit Ethernet Converters: Convert 1000Base-T copper Gigabit Ethernet to 1000Base-SX (multimode, short-range), 1000Base-LX (singlemode/multimode, medium-range), or other Gigabit fiber standards.
Supported Fiber Types and Ranges
- Multimode Fiber (MMF): For shorter distances (e.g., up to 550m for Gigabit with 1000Base-SX). More cost-effective than singlemode.
- Singlemode Fiber (SMF): For long distances (e.g., 10km, 20km, 40km, up to 120km for Gigabit with 1000Base-LX/EX/ZX/EZX).
- WDM/BiDi Converters (Wavelength Division Multiplexing / Bidirectional): Use different wavelengths for sending and receiving on a single optical fiber, saving fiber strands. Used in pairs (Side A / Side B).
Media Converters with SFP Slot
These flexible converters do not have a fixed fiber optic transceiver but feature an SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) slot. This allows the user to select the appropriate SFP module according to the required speed, fiber type, wavelength, distance, and connector type, and to replace it if necessary.
PoE Media Converters
These special media converters can power an end device on the copper Ethernet port according to PoE standards (e.g., IEEE 802.3af/at). Very useful for connecting PoE-enabled devices like IP cameras or WLAN access points at remote locations accessible only via fiber optics.
Application Examples for LevelOne Media Converters:
- Connecting network switches or routers between different buildings or floors via fiber optics.
- Connecting network segments in industrial environments with high electromagnetic interference.
- Extending Local Area Networks (LANs) beyond the 100-meter limit of copper Ethernet.
- Directly connecting servers or storage solutions via fiber optics for higher speeds and reliability.
- Connecting remote IP cameras, VoIP phones, or WLAN access points, especially with PoE media converters.
What to Look for When Buying a LevelOne Media Converter? A Checklist:
- Required Speed: 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet) or 1 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet)? Rarely, also 10 Gbps.
- Copper Interface: RJ45 port with Auto-Negotiation (10/100/1000Base-T)? Auto MDI/MDI-X?
- Fiber Optic Interface:
- Fixed transceiver or SFP slot for flexibility?
- Fiber Type: Multimode (OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4) or Singlemode (OS1, OS2)?
- Wavelength: 850nm (MMF), 1310nm (MMF/SMF), 1550nm (SMF)? For BiDi/WDM, ensure matching pairs.
- Connector Type: SC, ST, LC (most common for modern systems)?
- Number of Fibers Required: One (Simplex, for BiDi/WDM) or two (Duplex)?
- Maximum Range/Distance in kilometers?
- PoE Requirement on Copper Port: Is PoE needed? If so, which standard (802.3af/at) and what power class?
- Management Functions: Is an unmanaged plug-and-play converter sufficient, or are diagnostic features like Link Fault Pass-through (LFP) or Far End Fault (FEF) needed/offered?
- Converter Power Supply: External power adapter (included?), voltage range?
- Environmental Conditions: Standard office environment or extended temperature range for industrial use?
- Form Factor: Standalone device or a slide-in card for a media converter chassis (if larger installations are planned)?
Part 2: LevelOne HDBaseT Extenders – Professional AV Signal Transmission over LAN Cable
What is HDBaseT and What Does It Do?
HDBaseT is a global standard for the transmission of uncompressed Ultra-High-Definition video and audio signals, Ethernet, control signals (IR, RS-232), USB, and power (Power over HDBaseT - PoH) over a single standard LAN cable (Cat 5e or higher, Cat 6/6a recommended) over distances of up to 100 meters (sometimes more in Long-Reach mode). The core concept is often referred to as "5Play" as it bundles these five signal types.
Advantages of LevelOne HDBaseT Extenders:
- Simplified Cabling: Reduces cable clutter and installation complexity as only a single LAN cable is needed for multiple signals.
- Long-Distance Transmission: Enables the transmission of high-resolution, uncompressed video signals (up to 4K UHD) over distances not achievable with HDMI cables, or only with quality loss.
- High Signal Quality: Since video and audio signals are mostly transmitted uncompressed, the original quality is maintained.
- Power over HDBaseT (PoH): Often, the receiver (Rx) can be powered by the transmitter (Tx) via the LAN cable (or vice versa), eliminating the need for a power outlet at the receiver location.
- Signal Bundling: Simultaneous transmission of video, audio, Ethernet, power, and control signals over one cable.
- Cost-Effective Installation: Standard LAN cables are cheaper and easier to terminate and install than multiple specialized AV cables.
LevelOne HDBaseT Extender Types in Detail:
LevelOne HDBaseT extenders (consisting of a transmitter and receiver unit) mainly differ in the supported HDBaseT version, maximum resolution, range, and additional features:
Based on HDBaseT Versions and Range
Different HDBaseT chipsets (e.g., HDBaseT Lite, Class A, Class B, HDBaseT 2.0, HDBaseT 3.0) determine the maximum range and feature set. Common ranges are 40m, 70m, or 100m for specific resolutions. HDBaseT 3.0, for example, supports uncompressed 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 and higher Ethernet rates.
Supported Resolutions and Video Features
From Full HD (1080p) up to 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) at 30Hz or 60Hz. Support for color depths (e.g., Deep Color), HDR (High Dynamic Range), and HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) for playback of protected content is also important.
Additional Functions and Ports
Besides HDMI inputs and outputs, LevelOne HDBaseT extenders may feature ports for Ethernet passthrough (10/100 Mbps or Gigabit), bidirectional IR transmission (for remote controls), RS-232 (for serial control), and separate audio inputs/outputs. The direction of PoH power supply (Tx to Rx or Rx to Tx) can also vary.
Application Examples for LevelOne HDBaseT Extenders:
- Digital Signage: Driving advertising displays and information screens in shopping malls, airports, or businesses over long distances.
- Conference and Meeting Rooms: Connecting laptops or presentation sources to projectors or large displays. Transmission of control signals for media control systems.
- Lecture Halls and Educational Institutions: Distributing video and audio signals to projectors and displays in classrooms and auditoriums.
- Sophisticated Home Cinema: Connecting AV receivers or source players to projectors or TVs in other rooms without quality loss.
- Medical Imaging and Control Rooms: Real-time transmission of high-resolution video signals.
What to Look for When Buying a LevelOne HDBaseT Extender? A Checklist:
- Maximum Video Resolution and Refresh Rate: What is needed (e.g., 1080p@60Hz, 4K@30Hz, 4K@60Hz)? Pay attention to the supported chroma subsampling rate (e.g., 4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4).
- Transmission Distance: What distance needs to be bridged between the transmitter and receiver? Choose a model whose range is sufficient for the desired resolution.
- Required Signal Types (5Play): Besides video and audio, are Ethernet, IR control, RS-232, or USB (with HDBaseT 2.0/3.0) needed?
- Power over HDBaseT (PoH): Is PoH required to operate one of the units without a local power adapter? In which direction must the power be supplied?
- HDCP Compatibility: Ensure the extenders support the required HDCP version (e.g., HDCP 2.2 for 4K content).
- Quality of LAN Cable: For HDBaseT, at least a Cat 5e cable is recommended; for higher resolutions and longer distances or HDBaseT 2.0/3.0, Cat 6, Cat 6a, or Cat 7 cables are preferable. Solid copper cables are better than CCA (copper-clad aluminum).
- Ports: Do the HDMI versions and other ports (IR, RS-232, Audio) match your devices?
- HDBaseT Version: Newer versions like HDBaseT 3.0 offer more bandwidth and features but may also require higher quality cables.