CONNECTING YOUR CLASSROOM
The length of the cabling system is an important consideration of any A/V cable install. If the distance from the source device to the display is longer than the limitation of the cabling signal, then a signal booster may be required. Below is a list of common AV signal types and their length limitations.Official length limitations: These standards have been defined by industry associations.
- DisplayPort — 15 meters (about 49ft)
- DVI digital — 5 meters (about 16.5ft)
Unofficial length limitations: These signaling methods do not really have a defined maximum length. The limitations listed here are based on common real-world experience. Use these as a guideline — your application may allow for a longer cable run, or may call for a shorter distance. Check with your equipment manufacturer — they may specify a maximum cable length. The best advice for these types of cables is to use as short of a cable as you can.
- Audio (line level) — 150ft
- Audio (speaker level) — 500ft (use lower gauge wire as distance increases)
- Audio (digital coax) — 50ft
- Audio (digital optical) — 16.5ft
- Component Video — 150ft
- Composite Video — 150ft
- HDMI — 16.5ft without a booster
- Modulated RF (CATV, SATV) — 150ft (use RG-6 coaxial wire)
- S-Video — 150ft
- VGA (laptop output) — 35-50ft without a booster/amplifier
- VGA (desktop output) — 75-100ft without a booster/amplifier