The RF Link AVS-5811 is a 5.8 GHz audio and video wireless transmitter. It allows for the wireless transmission of a simultaneous composite video signal and stereo audio signal throughout the house.
This unit works as well as any wireless audio video device that we have ever sold. Most wireless A/V products that we have worked with have been below our standards. The AVS-5811 is the exception to the rule. This is due to the fact that this product operates on the 5.8 GHz spectrum. There are very few products that use this bandwidth, which enables this unit to function as flawlessly as it does. The only issue that we could find with respect to signal interference was if a 5.8 GHz cordless phone was in use near either the transmitter or the receiver. When tested, our sound was clear and the picture was viewable, with the exception of two static lines that ran through the middle of the screen. The problem clears right up as soon as the telephone call is terminated.
The packaging is complete. All necessary cables are included in the packaging, and setup was astoundingly simple. The manual is nothing more than a two-page brochure, but nothing else is necessary to assist you in making this product work right out of the packaging.
Physically, the unit is small, approximately 2" x 3" x 3", with a flat directional (adjustable) antenna on the top of the unit. It is gunmetal gray in color; the front of the unit is dark red plastic with a black curved stripe on top.
To install, simply plug the transmitter into the available output device, and plug the receiver into the selected input device with the provided RCA cables. Depending on the distance (especially if the installation is not line of sight), it may be necessary to install the optional IR “eye" that is provided with the product.
The suggested distance between the transmitter and receiver is no more than 100 meters (330 feet), however we did not test these limitations. The farthest distance that we were able to test was approximately 35 meters (it should be noted that this distance is our limitation, not necessarily the product), through three floors, and the AVS-5811 passed this test without an anomaly. Our output device was a satellite receiver, and our input device was a 27" television. The colors were accurate and not distorted, and the audio and video were synched perfectly.
As solid as this product is, one improvement that we would like to see in future versions is a secondary output from the transmitter. The transmitter only offers one input with no output, which means that if you wish to split the signal you will have to purchase a third party distribution amplifier, or at the very least cable splitters (though to be honest we are not fans of the cable splitters due to signal degradation).
In conclusion, this is the only wireless transmitter / receiver that we recommend. The RF-Link AVS-5811 is a solid product that compares favorable with any of its peers on the market at this time. While this unit is priced on the upper echelon compared to its competitors, the cost is justified given the quality of the product.
FEATURES - Rf link AVS5811 5.8GHz Wireless Audio & Video Transmitter/Receiver System:
5.8GHz wireless transmitter and receiver with 4 selectable channels
Avoid the interference from crowded 2.4GHz ISM band applications
Transmit and receive crisp video and hi-fi stereo even through walls
Long transmission range up to 300 ft clear line-of-sight. NTSC/PAL video format available
Simultaneous viewing of video programs on a 2nd TV/monitor without wires
This article was written on November 19th, 2010 by Samantha Claire
