When and How to Use a Video Distribution Amplifier Or Video Splitter
Video Splitter, Distribution Amplifier, or Booster Amplifier
A lot of speculation has been going on between the difference in a video splitter, a distribution amplifier, and a booster amplifier. First, we'll start off with distribution amplifiers. This term has been used to describe video devices that split older video signals like composite, component, and s-video video formats. The term amplifier is used because many of the units have the capability of amplifying video signals to a higher frequency, allowing for a better resolution output quality. Distribution amplifiers are also available in a multi-format solution, providing video splitter/amplifying for several different devices. Component/composite video can be connected in RCA and BNC formats. Distribution amplifiers are available in 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 16 port models, allowing user to distribute component, composite, and s-video signals to up to 16 televisions or other outputs.
Booster amplifiers are often compared to video extenders. They take a video signal much like the distribution amplifiers does (composite, component, s-video), and amplify it over a long distance. Booster amplifiers have gain adjustment features that allow users to control to output frequency of connected video devices. With that feature, extension is made simple without signal degradation. A typical booster amplifier can send a video signal up to 1000 feet away from the source device. These types of devices are are highly useful, however the video formats that they support are becoming less frequently used with the development of high definition media formats. CATx video distribution systems are taking over the market and reducing the need for bulky component, composite, and S-video cables which are often a hassle to set up and maintain.
Video splitters, on the other hand, are for PC and high quality television video formats like VGA, DVI, and HDMI.
VGA Splitters take VGA, UXGA, SVGA, and XGA video signals from computers and servers and split them to multiple outputs, theyíre available in 2, 4, 8, and 16 port formats.
Also available are DVI Splitters, which split analog and digital Digital Visual Interface video signals from different devices. DVI splitters are only available in 2, 4, and 8 port models.
The most recent addition to the video splitting technology is the HDMI Video Splitter, which distributes HDMI (High Definition MultiMedia Interface) signals to multiple output displays. These splitters are useful for gaming consoles, computers, camcorders, DVD players, Blu-Ray players, and even projectors. With high definition taking over video technology, these splitters are becoming more and more common in digital signage solutions.
