Cat5 Extender Buyer's Guide: How to Extend Video, KVM, and USB Signals over Cat5/Cat6
A Cat5 extender transmits video, keyboard/mouse (KVM), USB, or audio signals over inexpensive Cat5e/Cat6 UTP cable instead of bulky native cables. It consists of a transmitter at the source and a receiver at the display or device, letting you run signals hundreds of feet across a building without quality loss. KVMSwitchTech stocks Cat5 extenders for VGA, DVI, HDMI, composite, component, USB, KVM, and splitter/distribution applications, plus fiber optic and wireless options for extreme distance or cable-free setups.
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Fiber Optic Extender
DVI Extender over Four Multimode Fiber Optic Cable up to 3280FT
$600.00
$1,500.00
In stock
Cat5 DVI Extender
DVI Extender over Four Multimode Fiber Optic Cable up to 3280FT
$600.00
$1,500.00
In stock
Cat5 VGA Extender
XT-TX1600S CAT5 VGA/AUDIO/RS232/IR Splitter Extender Over CAT5e/6 UTP Cable, 16 Ports
$621.00
$799.00
In stock
Fiber Optic Extender
4K Fiber Optic HDMI Extender - 3300 FT/1000M - 4K@60Hz w/ IR, RS-232, HDMI 2.0 Support
$669.00
$1,299.00
In stock
Cat5 HDMI Extender
AdderLink ALDV104T-IEC Digital AV 1 to 4 Transmitter IEC Build
$672.00
$750.00
In stock
Cat5 DVI Extender
AdderLink ALDV104T-IEC Digital AV 1 to 4 Transmitter IEC Build
$672.00
$750.00
In stock
Fiber Optic Extender
DVI Extender over Single Multimode Fiber Cable up to 3280FT
$745.00
$999.00
In stock
Cat5 DVI Extender
DVI Extender over Single Multimode Fiber Cable up to 3280FT
$745.00
$999.00
In stock
Cat5 KVM Extender
AdderLink X-DVIPRO-US - DVI and 4 Port USB KVM Extender to 50 Meters
$760.50
$845.00
In stock
Step 1: What signal do you need to extend?
| Signal | Subcategory | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| VGA | Cat5 VGA Extender | Up to 1,000 ft |
| DVI-D | Cat5 DVI Extender | Up to 275 ft (Cat6 STP) |
| HDMI | Cat5 HDMI Extender | Up to 330 ft (HDBaseT) |
| Composite/S-Video | Cat5 Composite Extender | Up to 1,000 ft |
| Component | Cat5 Component Extender | Up to 1,000 ft |
| USB 1.1/2.0/3.1 | Cat5 USB Extender | Up to 330 ft |
| KVM (keyboard+video+mouse) | Cat5 KVM Extender | Up to 1,000 ft |
| Video + split to many displays | Cat5 Splitter Extender | Up to 1,000 ft per output |
Step 2: Consider distance and medium
- Under 330 ft – standard Cat5e/Cat6 UTP or STP works for most signals.
- Over 330 ft (up to miles) – choose fiber optic extender for DVI, HDMI, or USB.
- No cable at all – choose a wireless extender (HDMI up to 50 ft, VGA up to 200 ft, USB up to 100 ft).
Step 3: Do you need to split to multiple displays?
If one source needs to reach several screens, use a Cat5 splitter extender (combined extender + splitter) with 2, 4, 8, or 16 outputs over Cat5. Otherwise, a point-to-point extender pair is sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cat5 extender?
A transmitter/receiver pair that sends video, KVM, USB, or audio signals over Cat5e/Cat6 UTP cable instead of the native cable type, enabling runs of hundreds of feet at low cost.
What cable should I use?
Cat5e is minimum; Cat6 UTP or STP is recommended for DVI and HDMI to maximize distance and quality. Always use solid-core, straight-through cable (no crossover).
Do I need power on both ends?
Most powered extenders require power at both the transmitter and receiver for the best signal reliability.
Can I extend both video and USB?
Yes, KVM extenders combine video and USB (keyboard/mouse) over a single or dual Cat5/Cat6 run.
What if I need to go more than 1,000 ft?
Use a fiber optic extender, which can reach 1,000 m (3,300 ft) or more with single-mode fiber.
Do Cat5 extenders add latency?
Properly designed Cat5 extenders add negligible latency, keeping real-time KVM and video performance intact.
Not sure which extender fits your project? Our engineers help match signal type, distance, cable type, and output count to your project. Call (216) 798-7530 for free system design help.
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