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Tomi Holger Engdahl

writes:

Hi Guys,

I need to get a VGA signal from the Nav Station in my boat to the
monitor in the bridge. I could just run a VGA cable (about 4m worth)
but I need to pass the cable through some small holes for the looming
(sp?) and the DB15 connectors wont fit unless I make the hole bigger.

How about cutting the connector from one cable end, pulling
the cable and then soldering a new one to the end.
Or building entirely new VGA cable the length you want
by soldering the connectors yourself to both ends.
The soldering the cable consisting of several mini
coax condictors and many other conductor DB15 VGA connector
is not the easiest job, but doable if you are good
at building cables. I have done that kind of soldering
myself when I have needed some custon VGA cables for
some applications.

I am thinking about running the VGA singal over CAT5e, which a Google
search seems to suggest is possible.

Runnign VGA over CAT5e is possible.
There are commercial active adapters that do the conversion
"right" and work even for some longer distances. Those
cost money but work quite well.
Then in Internet there are some simple plans to run
VGA over CAT5e cables. When you use a shielded CAT5e cable
and not too long distances, those hacks can work quite well
but might not give perfect "crystal clear" picture like
a real VGA cable or commercial converter would give.
Running VGA signal on unshielded CAT5e cable with simple
DIY passive adapters is not a vry good idea: the image
quality will get worse and your cable will radiate
out considerable RF interference which could interfere
for example with boat radios.

I was wondering if anyone had any
better ideas, keeping costs fairly low.

I just gave you several ideas.

Has anyone here had any success cutting the end off a VGA cable and
wiring on a new DB15 for example?

Yes. I have done this several times.

--
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at
http://www.epanorama.net/