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New IDEAL VDV PRO™ Cuts Testing Time for Voice, Video and Data Networks

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SYCAMORE, IL, February 12, 2010 – To improve the ability of technicians to provide superior service during voice, data and video installations, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. today introduced its new VDV PRO™ Cable Tester now featuring a bright backlit full dot-matrix screen that is easy to read in dark wiring closets, and is viewable in extreme low-light environments.

Ergonomically designed for handheld orientation, the VDV PRO is the industry's simplest to use cable diagnostic and verification solution, allowing technicians to quickly check the integrity of virtually any cable found in a residential or commercial VDV installation, including telephone wiring, data network cabling, and video/security alarm wiring.

Overwhelming positive feedback on the original IDEAL VDV Multimedia tester introduced over three years ago drove requests for the next generation VDV PRO, says Dan Payerle, IDEAL's Business Unit Manager: "We listened carefully to what users of the first VDV Multimedia told us they needed, including faster testing. As those requirements evolved with changing technology, we responded accordingly with the more advanced VDV PRO."

The VDV PRO has an integrated RJ11/12 (voice), RJ45 (data) and coax F-Connector (video) interfaces directly into the top of the unit, reducing the time needed when transitioning between voice, data, and video cable testing, plus doing away with the expense of replacing lost adapters. Accessories enable the VDV PRO to also support BNC and RCA connectors, commonly used in cable, satellite and video surveillance systems. An integrated tone generator offers four unique analog tones to almost instantly locate and isolate wire pairs in voice, data and video testing.

In addition to the main unit, the VDV PRO has a detachable remote with RJ11/12, RJ45 and Coax F-Connector interfaces that store securely in the main unit's base for ready availability and fast cable testing. The unit has the capacity to support up to eight remotes to serve larger installations.

The VDV PRO brings the full range of testing capabilities to technicians working in commercial and residential facilities:

• VOICE TESTING - The VDV PRO™ will test 3-pair USOC and 6-position RJ-11/12 jacks for voice cable integrity. Voice testing will detect RJ-11 (1, 2 or 3 pair), and also show Normal or Reverse for pins 1 through 6.
• DATA TESTING - The VDV PRO confirms the quality of installed shielded or unshielded twisted pair cable to T568A/B (RJ45) standards. The full dot matrix screen shows a "PASS "or Miswire" to indicate reversals, shorts, splits, breaks and opens. It will also test cable for shield continuity and the presence of voltage. In addition, the VDV PRO will measures the length of UTP, STP and Coax cable during initial test results along with displaying the distance to a specific fault by displaying a graphic wiremap on the LCD. When connected to its remote the VDV PRO will display wire map for 10Base-T and Token Ring. In addition, the VDV PRO is able to blink a "HUB" to identify the port the cable link is connected to. It will also identify network operation when connected to an active LAN port.
• VIDEO TESTING - Primarily used in CATV and security camera coax systems, the VDV PRO provides quick verification in multi-run coax terminated with F-connectors of opens and shorts. Coax mapping is possible with up to eight color-coded coax remotes. The RCA and BNC adapters allow the VDV PRO the ability to test just about any A/V connector type.

The IDEAL VDV PRO is immediately available in three complete kit configurations: Part # 33-770 with one Remote and an MSRP of $269, Part # 33-771 with 8 Remotes and an MSRP of $369, and Part 33-780 at an MSRP of $299 with one Remote and a Probe to identify cable runs. All three kits come in a sturdy storage case complete with all necessary accessories.

About IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.

IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction, maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing industries.