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CAT5-6-7 cables in the Digital Signage world

What is a CAT5 cable?
CAT 5 cable is a low density cable type specifically intended for the distribution of real-time
multimedia content. CAT 5 cable contains four pairs of twisted cables and has a high signal
integrity that no other cable can match. The twists are designed to reduce electromagnetic
interference (EMI).

What kind of CAT5 cables are there?

Over time CAT5 technology developed and as it did different versions of it came out:
CAT 5e cable is an enhanced version of Cat 5.
CAT 6 cable provides performance of up to 250 MHz, which is more than double category 5 and
5e.
CAT 7 cable is for transmission at frequencies up to 600 MHz.
If one is referring to the cables generically they can do so by CAT5-6-7
For more technical differences between the cables, see the table below.

Why CAT5-6-7cable?
CAT5 cable is ideal for installations that require high bandwidth and high resolution without
relying on any existing network infrastructure. CAT5 cable is a more cost effective solution than
Fiber optic cable. CAT5 technology supports high quality real-time multi-media transfer through
inexpensive, low density, twisted pair cabling.

Why use CAT5 distribution in the digital signage world?

CAT5 cable requires no special software and is entirely hardware-based and network
independent which is a major advantage. CAT5 technology facilitates the broadcast of media
content from a single player to hundreds of screens and its ease of installation makes it a very
attractive option.
Comparison Between the CAT5 Cables
CAT 5 CAT 5e CAT 6 CAT 7

Frequency 1-100 MHz 1-100 MHz 1-250 MHz 1-600 MHz

Attenuation 24 dB 24 dB 21.7 dB 20.8 dB

100 Ohm ± 100 Ohm ± 100 Ohm ±

Impedance 100 Ohm ± 15%
15% 15% 15%

NEXT 27.1 dB 30.1 dB 39.9 dB 62.1 dB

Power Sum-NEXT n/a 27.1 dB 37.1 dB 59.1 dB

ELFEXT 17 dB 17.4 dB 23.2 dB n/a

Power Sum-
14.4 dB 14.4 dB 20.2 dB n/a
ELFEXT

Return loses 8 dB 10 dB 12 dB 14,1 dB

Skew delay 50 ns 50 ns 50 ns 20 ns

What kind of CAT5-6-7 cable should I be using?

Cables that are optimized for Video Extension

- High Bandwidth support

- Low Attenuation
- Minimal capacity
- Low Skew
- Low Crosstalk

But testing is always recommended

What are UTP / FTP / STP CAT5 cables?

UTP - Unshielded Twisted Pair. These are unshielded twisted pairs in an unscreened sheath and
are the most widespread cables throughout the world as well as the cheapest. Being unshielded
gives it a higher degree of flexibility. Due to its low cost, UTP cabling is used extensively for
local-area networks (LANs) and telephone connections. UTP cabling does not offer as high
bandwidth or as good protection from interference as coaxial or fiber optic cables, but it is less
expensive and easier to work with.

FTP - Foiled Twisted Pair. These are twisted pairs in a screened sheath. It is a thin, flexible
cable which costs less per foot than any other type of LAN cable.

S/FTP or S-STP - Screened Shielded Twisted Pair. A shielded twisted pair of cables in a
screened sheath. Both cables are individually shielded and there is also an outer metal shielding
covering the entire group of shielded copper pairs. This type of cabling offers the best protection
from interference from external sources. This cable is optimized for Video Extension.