SmartAVI DVI-D, USB, RS-232 Extender

The SDX-Plus DVI extender is a high-performance, long-distance solution for distributing digital video (DVI-D) along with USB peripherals and RS-232 control signals. This compact two‑piece system lets you place a display, a keyboard/mouse, or an RS-232 device up to 400 feet away from your source over a single, ordinary Cat5e/6 network cable. By design, it eliminates the need for expensive, shielded cables while delivering crystal-clear digital video, reliable command and control, and flexible integration into professional AV, industrial, or commercial environments. Whether you’re building a control room, a multi-room presentation setup, or a digital signage network, the SmartAVI SDX-Plus extender delivers the performance and reliability you expect from a premier DVI extender solution.

• The SDX-Plus extends DVI-D video signals up to 400 feet (122 meters) over a single Cat5e/6 cable, enabling flexible placements for displays or projectors far from the source while maintaining sharp, artifact-free picture quality. This range makes it an excellent choice for conference rooms, classrooms, data centers, and retail environments where layout constraints demand long cable runs without sacrificing image fidelity or timing accuracy.
• In addition to digital video, the extender provides USB pass-through and RS-232 signaling, enabling you to support USB peripherals—such as keyboards, mice, or HID devices—and serial-controlled equipment at the display end. This combination is ideal for interactive kiosks, medical displays, industrial controllers, or any setup requiring centralized control with local peripherals. The USB and RS-232 paths are designed to coexist with the DVI-D channel, ensuring synchronized operation without interfering with video timing.
• Designed for ease of installation, the SDX-Plus uses standard, unshielded Cat5e/6 cabling and features a simple, two-piece kit (transmitter and receiver). With standard RJ-45 connectors and a minimal footprint on each unit, you can install the system behind a display rack, in an AV closet, or tucked into a wall enclosure. The setup is straightforward and scalable—you can add more displays or devices by deploying additional extenders from the same family while maintaining consistent video quality and signal integrity across distances.
• The extender supports native DVI-D digital video without the need for external video amplifiers or active synchronization tricks. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of graphic cards, multimedia players, and content sources. You’ll enjoy reliable pixel-for-pixel presentation, rich color depth, and smooth video playback—even with high-resolution displays. The SDX-Plus is particularly well-suited for 1080p and higher, making it an attractive option for modern office environments and digital signage applications seeking robust long-distance video distribution.
• Reliability and versatility are at the core of this SmartAVI solution. It’s built to operate in busy environments, supports straightforward maintenance, and offers flexible mounting options to suit your installation—whether in an equipment room, an under-desk setup, or a ceiling-mounted enclosure. The SDX-Plus stands out in its class for offering a practical blend of long-range capability, multi-signal extension (DVI-D, USB, RS-232), and compatibility with off-the-shelf Cat5e/6 cabling, delivering significant cost savings and simpler logistics for professional audio-visual deployments.

Technical Details of SmartAVI DVI-D, USB, RS-232 Extender

• DVI-D digital video extension up to 400 feet (122 meters) over a single Cat5e/6 cable
• USB 2.0/HS peripheral extension to support keyboards, mice, and other USB devices at the remote end
• RS-232 serial extension for device control and instrumentation
• No requirement for shielded Cat6 cable; compatible with standard, inexpensive Cat5e/6 cables
• Two-piece kit consisting of a transmitter (source end) and a receiver (display end)
• Simple RJ-45 connectivity on both ends with plug-and-play installation
• Power requirements: external power supply for each unit (sold separately or as part of a complete kit, depending on configuration)
• Designed for use with DVI-D sources and displays, ensuring pixel-perfect digital video transmission
• Ideal for conference rooms, classrooms, digital signage, control rooms, and industrial applications requiring long-distance AV distribution

how to install SmartAVI DVI-D, USB, RS-232 Extender

Installing the SDX-Plus is a straightforward process designed to minimize downtime and maximize compatibility with existing equipment. Before you begin, ensure you have a compatible DVI-D source (such as a computer or media player), a DVI-D display, and a Cat5e/6 cable long enough to bridge the distance between the transmitter and receiver. Keep a spare Cat5e/6 at hand for routing flexibility and future expansions. The steps below describe a typical deployment scenario.

Step 1: Connect the source device to the transmitter using a standard DVI-D cable. This establishes the digital video path from your computer or media player to the SDX-Plus transmitter. If you plan to route USB peripherals or RS-232 signals alongside video, connect the respective USB and RS-232 devices to the transmitter’s ports as needed. This ensures that the extension of video, USB, and RS-232 signals remains synchronized and reliably integrated into your workflow.

Step 2: Run a single Cat5e/6 cable from the transmitter to the receiver. The SDX-Plus is designed to operate with standard network-grade cable—no exotic or shielded cabling required. When laying out the cable, avoid physical stresses, twists, and sharp bends that could impact signal integrity. If you’re routing through walls or ceiling spaces, plan for protective conduits and cable clips to maintain clean connections and reduce wear over time.

Step 3: At the receiver side, connect a DVI-D cable from the receiver to your display. If you’re using USB peripherals at the display end, attach them to the receiver’s USB ports. For control or automation equipment, connect any RS-232 devices to the receiver as your setup requires. This configuration provides a seamless end-to-end chain for video and peripheral control, enabling a unified user experience.

Step 4: Provide power to both units. Each end typically requires an external power supply to ensure stable operation, particularly when traveling longer distances or driving high-resolution displays. Attach the appropriate power adapters to both the transmitter and receiver, then verify that all indicators illuminate according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Power stability is essential for maintaining signal integrity and avoiding intermittent drops or lag in video or peripheral performance.

Step 5: Power on your source and display and verify the connection. Adjust display settings as needed, such as resolution or refresh rate, to align with the capabilities of the DVI-D signal over the Cat5e/6 link. If you encounter any issues, check cable routing, make sure all connectors are firmly seated, and confirm that the USB and RS-232 devices are recognized by the host system. In most cases, a clean, direct connection with a properly routed cable will deliver stable performance across the 400-foot range.

While the installation is designed to be user-friendly, it’s helpful to document the layout of your cables and label ports for future maintenance or reconfiguration. If your setup includes multiple displays or separate zones, you can replicate the standard configuration across each connection arm to ensure consistent video quality and device control. The SDX-Plus is built to integrate into existing AV ecosystems without requiring major revisions to your infrastructure, and its compatibility with standard Cat5e/6 cabling makes it an economical choice for scalable deployments.

For best results, consider pairing the SDX-Plus with a matching SmartAVI receiver and source controller in environments that demand centralized management, synchronized displays, or batch deployment across multiple rooms. While the system is powerful on its own, leveraging a coordinated set of extenders can dramatically simplify large installations and provide a uniform user experience across your facility.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the maximum distance this DVI-D extender can cover? A: The SDX-Plus supports a DVI-D signal extension of up to 400 feet (approximately 122 meters) over a single Cat5e/6 cable, enabling flexible placement of displays and equipment far from the source while maintaining high-quality video and reliable peripheral connectivity.
• Q: Which cables are required for installation? A: A standard Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable is used to connect the transmitter and receiver. The system does not require shielded Cat6 cabling, which helps reduce installation costs and simplifies routing in typical office or classroom environments.
• Q: Can I extend USB peripherals along with the video? A: Yes. The extender provides USB pass-through to support compatible USB devices at the remote end, enabling a more flexible and interactive setup for users who need keyboard/mouse input or other USB peripherals near the display.
• Q: Is RS-232 supported, and what is it used for? A: RS-232 signaling is extended as part of the SDX-Plus feature set, allowing serial control of external devices (like projectors, controllers, or data-collection equipment). This capability is particularly valuable in automated or integrated control environments.
• Q: Do I need two separate power supplies? A: Yes. Each unit—the transmitter and the receiver—typically requires its own external power supply to ensure stable operation across the full 400-foot link. Confirm the exact power requirements with the product documentation or your SmartAVI supplier.
• Q: What resolutions are supported? A: The SDX-Plus is designed to carry DVI-D digital video and is suitable for common high-definition resolutions such as 1080p and beyond, depending on the capabilities of the source and display and the length of the Cat5e/6 run. For the best results, align display capabilities with the maximum distance and bandwidth supported by your specific hardware configuration.
• Q: Can I use multiple extenders in a single system? A: The SDX-Plus is compatible with other SmartAVI extenders in the same family, enabling scalable, multi-point deployments. When expanding, replicate the standard transmitter-to-receiver setup for each extended signal path to preserve video quality and synchronization across all endpoints.