Display Selection and Configuration

[Nomad]

I am installing a NavNet3D system (network) in a boat that will have a total of 11 displays (4 in the pilothouse, 4 on the flybridge, 1 in the tower, 1 in the cockpit and 1 in the salon -- the cockpit and the salon are mirrored displays -- no control). These displays will each also be used to display 7 non-NavNet analog devices (a Furuno CH250 scanning sonar, 4 cameras (including 1 FLIR), SatTv, and something I can't remember right now).

I have two "problems":

1) Rather than running 8 vga cables to each monitor (and still needing either a monitor that accepts 8 inputs or a switch at the monitor), I want to run those 8 leads to 11 switches (may need an amplifier), and a single lead from each switch to a monitor. I know there are a variety of ways to convert component and VGA signals to run (as analog) over Cat-5, and that the run distances are OK, but I can't find the right switch. It needs to be remote controllable (so that if I am in the tower I don't need to run down to the pilothouse to switch the video source), ideally through a wired remote (so each monitor will end up requiring two leads). Any advice on what switch to use (I think it could be a component or vga or cat-5 (analog) switch)? Or even a better place to seek advice?

2) What monitors to use, particularly for the 6 outdoor monitors, which need to be daylight viewable and waterproof (or at least splash proof). (The salon will be an LCD widescreen TV, and the pilothouse will be regular, inexpensive, 4:3 LCD computer monitors.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Rick

[bri4s]

Rick, please contact me about the monitors.We sell KEP Marine Monitors that may work for your application.Electronic Marine Concepts

[neilinov]

Rick:
My suggestion to you is to hire a professional electronics installer to do this. This sounds like a really complex system and unless you get someone on here who has a degree in electrical engineering you may get some really bad advice and screw up your whole installation. This of course would void the warranties of some expensive equipment. If you however have the time and technical knowhow to run a system like this go at it and good luck getting some advise! Show us some pics of what you are doing too.