Transmit signal to multiple displays around a school

rpain · 01-05-2012, 10:14

Hi,

I work at a school that wants to start introducing digital notice boards (just tvs ideally) around the school.

I know there are solutions with integrated computers to deal with this sort of thing but as we're only going to be displaying a web page on each screen and the same on all screens I don't think we need to go for these wizzy expensive solutions.

Each of the screens has a network socket and we can get video into the screen by transmitting the signal using an ethernet to video wire so do you think I'd be able to use a box of some kind to transmit the same signal to multiple tv network ports?

If not then does anyone have any ideas for another method to do this? The whole school is networked so if we could use this facility it would be great. I don't think there will be much traffic as we'll only display static pages and we're on a gigabit network.

Any advice or experience very welcome.

Richard

Lurch · 01-05-2012, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpain

Each of the screens has a network socket and we can get video into the screen by transmitting the signal using an ethernet to video wire so do you think I'd be able to use a box of some kind to transmit the same signal to multiple tv network ports?

Confused by this. What's a 'ethernet to video wire'? How exactly are you getting this signal to the TV? Simplest way to split ethernet is to buy a cheap switch. I would assume you're not technically minded?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpain

If not then does anyone have any ideas for another method to do this? The whole school is networked so if we could use this facility it would be great. I don't think there will be much traffic as we'll only display static pages and we're on a gigabit network.

The amount of traffic on the network from these TV's has nothing to do with how many web pages are being served. They may actually saturate the network and need segregating in some fashion. Need more info, but you'll probably want to involve your IT maintainer if you're wanting to stick these monitors on the same network as everything else.

technologist · 01-05-2012, 11:18

It may appear to be simple - but it is not .....
how many screens do you have ??
It may be easier to connect them at video by their own (CAT5) wiring - look for "HDMI to CAT5 converters" - and" HDMI Splitters "
This is fairly simple and cheap ...

Doing things over the network to means that you have boxes at each TV set ....
this could be a special "digital signage" box (this is IT systems friendly) or a STB and you use IPTV techniques to send (multicast) video over the network. (this is not so friendly)
If you have say two buildings a distance apart you can do the Video distribution in each one and then use IPTV techniques to get a SINGLE video feed across from on building to another.
www.Haivision.com is a site worth looking at - Coolsign and Makito
But it wil be a few £k... and talk to you network manager ...

rpain · 01-05-2012, 11:45

Hi,

I found this sort of solution

http://www.intelix.com/products/balun_video.htm

When I say ethernet I meant over an RJ45 connection. I think these distribution systems (or ones like them) will be the way forward.

I am technically minded (working as a windows and linux server admin, website developer and network manager) but just don't know anything about video over ip. The only sort of multicasting I've experienced is computer imaging over our windows network.

Thanks for the ideas - just now to find out the best hardware and the right price. Again, any experiences welcome

Many thanks,
Richard

Lurch · 01-05-2012, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpain

I found this sort of solution

http://www.intelix.com/products/balun_video.htm

When I say ethernet I meant over an RJ45 connection. I think these distribution systems (or ones like them) will be the way forward.

These are nothing to do with ethernet, they simply use a pair of the cat5 cable to transmit standard video over. If that's all you're doing then forget IP\network\ethernet, these are completely separate technologies. All you need is a balun at qeach end of the cable to each TV and some sort of distribution amplifier for composite\CVBS video signals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpain

I am technically minded (working as a windows and linux server admin, website developer and network manager) but just don't know anything about video over ip. The only sort of multicasting I've experienced is computer imaging over our windows network.

Hmmm.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpain

Thanks for the ideas - just now to find out the best hardware and the right price. Again, any experiences welcome

Not really got any details to go on yet, how many sets, how far, through how many buildings\panels etc...?

grahamlthompson · 01-05-2012, 12:18

How about a cheap network mediaplayer for each TV and a NAS streamimg data to each media player. Could be video or just still images.

thorvertonian · 01-05-2012, 12:34

Streaming the webpages constantly accross a network to all TV's is very bad practice, get some cheap ass computers and use XIBO on them

rpain · 01-05-2012, 12:53

grahamlthompson - thanks but the office will need to be able to update information quickly and easily so I think a simple broadcast method will be the way to go.

Lurch - thanks for the info on the technology. "Hmmm..." - no need to be judgemental, though.

Richard

technologist · 01-05-2012, 13:03

Richard - the Intelix things are the low tech end of what I was suggested as a means of sending video - The HDMI versions are much better quality - and as Lurch has pointed out just use CAT5/RJ45 cables as a replacement for Coax etc Nothing to do with ethernet.

The key issue is how many screens do you have and were are they ( and what do you want to put on them)
Be aware that some HMDI splitters do not support HDCP - Ok if all you have are your own sources pictures/web PC output not any good if you were using them to say show the Olympics on every screen.

A very professional range of this sort of kit is http://www.kramerelectronics.com/

IPTV is not mind boggling complicated - But does require a very good network techie and management systems.
things like cool sign are little more than automated browsers from a network point of view.

c4rv · 01-05-2012, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpain

grahamlthompson - thanks but the office will need to be able to update information quickly and easily so I think a simple broadcast method will be the way to go.

Lurch - thanks for the info on the technology. "Hmmm..." - no need to be judgemental, though.

Richard

How far are the screens from the central distribution point.
What type of cabling have you got in place cat5/5e or 6 (this needs to be a dedicated direct connection from distribution point to TV, not running through a switch or any other device) ?
What resolution do you require, 480, 720 or 1080 ?

01-05-2012, 10:14	#1
rpain Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	Transmit signal to multiple displays around a school Hi, I work at a school that wants to start introducing digital notice boards (just tvs ideally) around the school. I know there are solutions with integrated computers to deal with this sort of thing but as we're only going to be displaying a web page on each screen and the same on all screens I don't think we need to go for these wizzy expensive solutions. Each of the screens has a network socket and we can get video into the screen by transmitting the signal using an ethernet to video wire so do you think I'd be able to use a box of some kind to transmit the same signal to multiple tv network ports? If not then does anyone have any ideas for another method to do this? The whole school is networked so if we could use this facility it would be great. I don't think there will be much traffic as we'll only display static pages and we're on a gigabit network. Any advice or experience very welcome. Richard

01-05-2012, 11:45	#4
rpain Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	Further investigation. Hi, I found this sort of solution http://www.intelix.com/products/balun_video.htm When I say ethernet I meant over an RJ45 connection. I think these distribution systems (or ones like them) will be the way forward. I am technically minded (working as a windows and linux server admin, website developer and network manager) but just don't know anything about video over ip. The only sort of multicasting I've experienced is computer imaging over our windows network. Thanks for the ideas - just now to find out the best hardware and the right price. Again, any experiences welcome Many thanks, Richard

01-05-2012, 10:21	#2
Lurch Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sheffield Posts: 2,408	Quote: Originally Posted by rpain Each of the screens has a network socket and we can get video into the screen by transmitting the signal using an ethernet to video wire so do you think I'd be able to use a box of some kind to transmit the same signal to multiple tv network ports? Confused by this. What's a 'ethernet to video wire'? How exactly are you getting this signal to the TV? Simplest way to split ethernet is to buy a cheap switch. I would assume you're not technically minded? Quote: Originally Posted by rpain If not then does anyone have any ideas for another method to do this? The whole school is networked so if we could use this facility it would be great. I don't think there will be much traffic as we'll only display static pages and we're on a gigabit network. The amount of traffic on the network from these TV's has nothing to do with how many web pages are being served. They may actually saturate the network and need segregating in some fashion. Need more info, but you'll probably want to involve your IT maintainer if you're wanting to stick these monitors on the same network as everything else.

01-05-2012, 11:18	#3
technologist Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: London Posts: 7,519	It may appear to be simple - but it is not ..... how many screens do you have ?? It may be easier to connect them at video by their own (CAT5) wiring - look for "HDMI to CAT5 converters" - and" HDMI Splitters " This is fairly simple and cheap ... Doing things over the network to means that you have boxes at each TV set .... this could be a special "digital signage" box (this is IT systems friendly) or a STB and you use IPTV techniques to send (multicast) video over the network. (this is not so friendly) If you have say two buildings a distance apart you can do the Video distribution in each one and then use IPTV techniques to get a SINGLE video feed across from on building to another. www.Haivision.com is a site worth looking at - Coolsign and Makito But it wil be a few £k... and talk to you network manager ...

01-05-2012, 12:12	#5
Lurch Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sheffield Posts: 2,408	Quote: Originally Posted by rpain I found this sort of solution http://www.intelix.com/products/balun_video.htm When I say ethernet I meant over an RJ45 connection. I think these distribution systems (or ones like them) will be the way forward. These are nothing to do with ethernet, they simply use a pair of the cat5 cable to transmit standard video over. If that's all you're doing then forget IP\network\ethernet, these are completely separate technologies. All you need is a balun at qeach end of the cable to each TV and some sort of distribution amplifier for composite\CVBS video signals. Quote: Originally Posted by rpain I am technically minded (working as a windows and linux server admin, website developer and network manager) but just don't know anything about video over ip. The only sort of multicasting I've experienced is computer imaging over our windows network. Hmmm..... Quote: Originally Posted by rpain Thanks for the ideas - just now to find out the best hardware and the right price. Again, any experiences welcome Not really got any details to go on yet, how many sets, how far, through how many buildings\panels etc...?

01-05-2012, 12:18	#6
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	How about a cheap network mediaplayer for each TV and a NAS streamimg data to each media player. Could be video or just still images.

01-05-2012, 12:34	#7
thorvertonian Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 1,289	Streaming the webpages constantly accross a network to all TV's is very bad practice, get some cheap ass computers and use XIBO on them

01-05-2012, 12:53	#8
rpain Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	grahamlthompson - thanks but the office will need to be able to update information quickly and easily so I think a simple broadcast method will be the way to go. Lurch - thanks for the info on the technology. "Hmmm..." - no need to be judgemental, though. Richard

01-05-2012, 13:03	#9
technologist Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: London Posts: 7,519	Richard - the Intelix things are the low tech end of what I was suggested as a means of sending video - The HDMI versions are much better quality - and as Lurch has pointed out just use CAT5/RJ45 cables as a replacement for Coax etc Nothing to do with ethernet. The key issue is how many screens do you have and were are they ( and what do you want to put on them) Be aware that some HMDI splitters do not support HDCP - Ok if all you have are your own sources pictures/web PC output not any good if you were using them to say show the Olympics on every screen. A very professional range of this sort of kit is http://www.kramerelectronics.com/ IPTV is not mind boggling complicated - But does require a very good network techie and management systems. things like cool sign are little more than automated browsers from a network point of view.

01-05-2012, 14:32	#10
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Quote: Originally Posted by rpain grahamlthompson - thanks but the office will need to be able to update information quickly and easily so I think a simple broadcast method will be the way to go. Lurch - thanks for the info on the technology. "Hmmm..." - no need to be judgemental, though. Richard How far are the screens from the central distribution point. What type of cabling have you got in place cat5/5e or 6 (this needs to be a dedicated direct connection from distribution point to TV, not running through a switch or any other device) ? What resolution do you require, 480, 720 or 1080 ?

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Transmit signal to multiple displays around a school