Video Senders Explained

Send TV signals around the house without running aerial cables, with a wireless Video Sender. Let us tell you more...

What is a video sender?

Wireless TV Link Video senders (also known as AV senders) allow you to send TV signals around your home without wires. They use radio waves to send the signals, and you need a transmitter and a receiver.

You can buy a pair of video senders for around £30, and they're a great way of sending TV signals around the house without running aerial cables.

You can use a video sender with a Freeview box, Sky Digital satellite TV box, DVD player, or a home security system.

They can transmit over fairly short distances, through walls, although if you're trying to transmit through several walls, or over a long distance, they can be less effective.

How do they work?

Connect the output of a set-top box, DVD player or other video source into a transmitter (normally via SCART). Then connect the receiver to your second TV (again, normally via SCART). Signals are sent over the air.

Other things you should know

Type: The basic models use the 2.4 GHZ radio band. Newer models use the 5.8Ghz band, which offers a greater range

Range: The 2.4GHz version has a range of up to 80 metres, but this reduces the more walls / floors the signal has to go through. The 5.8GHz versions go up to 120 metres. You can also get very long range senders, with ranges up to 5000 metres, using really powerful aerials.

Remote control: Some models allow you to use your standard remote control to switch TV from the other room

Multiple receivers: Most models allow you to have multiple receivers fed by a single transmitter

Where do I get a video sender

For a wide range of wireless senders, check out Maplin's AV Sender section

5.8GHz video senders at Maplin
A 5.8GHz video sender and receiver

AV Senders are also available from Currys and Argos

AV Sender FAQ:

I'm getting interference. What can I do?

Most models of Video Sender allow you to change channels, so's not to cause interference. Try changing the channel both at the transmitter and receiver end, and trying again.

lf you're getting interference from a wi-fi wireless network, we've heard that the AV sender from Gizoo might be worth a look, as it has 4 selectable channels.

Can I send HD over a video sender?

Most AV senders connect using SCART, and SCART connectors don't support HD. You can get wireless HD video senders though - Take a look at the WHDI Full 1080p HD Sender or the Gigaview 820 Wireless HDMI sender for equipment that will allow you to send HD video from an HDMI socket to a second HD TV set.