Black Box: new extender for Ethernet, HDMI, serial, and control data

Hallbergmoos, February 27, 2013 – The latest member of the trusted eXtended family from Black Box, the IT infrastructure specialist, is available now: the XR HDMI, IR, RS-232, and Ethernet Extender comes equipped with the latest 5Play technology for the loss-free extension of high-resolution 4K video, audio, control signals, and power over a single CAT5e/6 cable. The device is thus ideal for upmarket digital signage installations and the professional AV sector.

The combination of sender and receiver extends signals over a distance of up to 100 meters and allows high-quality transmissions of HDMI content up to 4K x 2K, including 2048 x 1152, 3D, Deep Color and HDCP. Moreover, the extender supports bidirectional 100 Mbit/s Ethernet passthrough. Videos can thus be streamed both via HDMI and Ethernet from a source over the same (non-networked) cable connection. “Since the connection to the remotely located display only requires a single, usually already existing CATx cable that supplies power to the receiver at the same time, extensive and expensive rewiring is unnecessary,“ says Axel Bürger, Managing Director of Black Box Deutschland GmbH. “With the range of signals supported via a simple copper cable, the new extender is our all-in-one connectivity solution for a variety of digital signage and AV installations.“

For simplified control of the displays, the extender features an integrated infrared function.  Such signals in the vincinity of a monitor, from a remote control for example, are easily extended to the source device. What’s more, serial commands, including CEC, can be transmitted bidirectionally via the RS-232 interface to turn the screens on and off for example. 

About Black Box:

Black Box (NASDAQ: BBOX) is one of the world’s largest technical services company with focus on design, installation and maintenance of network infrastructure systems. From data communication and telecommunication services to on-site network installations, the company supports more than 175,000 clients in 141 countries with 194 regional offices. With “Free Tech Support“ for free and competent technical advice over the phone, free test scenarios, as well as installation and maintenance services, Black Box offers an exceptional service program. The Black Box main catalogue is well-known in the industry and comprises an extensive product portfolio of approx. 10,000 IT products such as network components, as well as solutions for infrastructures and applications.

The headquarters of Black Box Corporation is in Pittsburgh, USA. Worldwide, the company has approximately 4500 employees, 65 of which in Germany. Black Box Deutschland GmbH has been active on the German market since 1984. Its regular customers include small and medium-sized businesses, as well as big enterprises of various branches, such as services, industry, telecommunications, health care and public administration, as well as the banking and insurance sector.
 
Press Contact: Black Box Deutschland GmbH
Axel Bürger, phone: +49 811 5541 322, fax: +49 811 5541 499
Email: axel.buerger@black-box.de, website: www.black-box.de  

PR Agency: Weissenbach PR
Bastian Schink, phone: +49 89 5506 7775, fax: +49 89 5506 7790
Email: black-box@weissenbach-pr.de, website: www.weissenbach-pr.de