What Is a Video Transceiver?

The video transceiver is a device that both transmits and receives video. Devices like this usually contain combined transmitter and receiver circuitry, sharing a common board. In contrast, transmitter-receiver devices have separate circuitry between the transmitter and receiver functions. A video transceiver transmits and receives video signals across small networks that can use a wired or wireless connection. Government and businesses use the video transceiver device across small networks because one of the most common uses for transceivers is for security surveillance.

The parts and types of network connections of a video transceiver differ based on the needs or desires of a user, government agency, or business. Wireless transceivers are common these days, but some users can still have a wired connection for their transceivers. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables, coaxial cables, and Category 5 (Cat 5) cables can be used for video transceivers, especially in video surveillance.

A video transceiver can use UTP cables because of their ability to cancel out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from outside sources. UTP cables are often found in Ethernet networks and telephone systems, and a video transceiver can be used across these types of networks. Users may use this type of connection to be able to receive real time, high quality, color video. One of the benefits of using a UTP cable for video surveillance is that it cancels out outside signals or interferences.

Coaxial cables, such as RG6, RG59, RG8, etc., can be used for a video transceiver as well. This kind of cable can be connected via a coaxial connector, and in video surveillance, the signal can be transmitted between the cameras and the controls. The benefit of using coaxial cables and connectors is the capability of transmitting multiple video signals simultaneously across a network. Each camera is connected to a coaxial connector with a coaxial cable, and those video signals can be viewed from the controls. Signals can also be sent from the controls to the cameras themselves.

Cat 5 cables are a twisted pair cable that can be used for video transceivers. This type of cable uses the ANSI/EIA/TIA-568 industry standard for unshielded twisted cable pairs in telecommunications. Cables like this can also be used across Ethernet networks and telephone systems and are able to transmit up to 100 Megabits per second (Mb/s) of video. Networks use these types of connections because they are beneficial in structured cabling. They are also cost effective and can transmit more individual video signals.