System Q BAL604 User manual
Options Available
PART CODE DESCRIPTION
BAL604 4Ch Active Balun Receiver
BAL654 4Ch Active Balun Transmitter
All specications are approximate. System Q Ltd reserves the right to
change any product specications or features without notice. Whilst
every eort is made to ensure that these instructions are complete
and accurate, System Q Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way
for any losses, no matter how they arise, from errors or omissions in
these instructions, or the performance or non-performance of the
equipment that these instructions refer to.
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying
documents means that used electronic equipment
must not be mixed with general household waste.
For treatment, recovery and recycling please return
this unit to your trade supplier or local designated
collection point as dened by your local council.
WEE/CG0783SS
Transmit Video Down CAT5 Up To 2000m!
The BAL604 4ch active balun receiver and the BAL654 active balun transmitter allow
transmission of real-time monochrome or colour video over Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
CAT5. All types of composite signal are supported. A balun is required at both ends of the
cable run and the CAT5 can be connected via an RJ45 connector or via the appropriate
connection on the terminal block.
The BAL604 receiver must go at the DVR end of the cable run. For cable runs of up to 1000m
the BAL604 can be used with a passive balun at the camera end of the installation. For cable
runs of up to 2000m the BAL604 needs to be paired with an active balun transmitter such as
the BAL654.
Co-axial cables are classed as an “unbalanced” mode of transmission and CAT5 twisted pair is
known as a balanced mode. In this balanced mode, the two cores carrying the video signal
are balanced to a particular reference point and the cable twists enable a uniform rejection of
interference, eectively cancelling it out. To produce an unbalanced signal BALUNs are used,
standing for BALanced to UNbalanced.
Baluns come in two distinct groups. Passive baluns require no power to operate and work
up to distances of about 500mtrs although if you are using baluns to send video signals back
to multiplexers, quads and DVRs it is recommended not to use passive baluns over 200mtrs.
Active baluns require power for their“active”circuitry and can send video signals up to 2km
down low-cost CAT5 cable. Most baluns do not allow you to send power down the CAT5 cable
so you will still need to power the camera locally or run another separate cable for power.
What’s In A Balun?
Baluns contain small signal transformers that are specially tuned to match the cables
impedance and convert the unbalanced signal to a balanced one and vice versa. Passive
baluns just have the transformers and very little else in them. Active baluns have extra
electronic circuits used to amplify the signals helping prevent losses and also ltering out
unwanted noise.
01246 200 000 systemq.com
BAL604 & 654 - 4ch Active Video Baluns (Rx & Tx)
Other Products To Consider
Mini 1ch Passive
Baluns (Pair)
BAL102
2.1mm 500mA 12V
DC Plug-in PSU
POW150
1
BAL604
4Ch Active Balun Rx
BAL654
4Ch Active Balun Tx
For more information on pairing passive and
active baluns see online tip 317
317
Features
•Transmit Up To 2000m
•2.1mm 12V DC Socket (150mA)
•BNC Video Connections
•Twisted Pair & RJ45 Connections
•Brightness & Sharpness Control
•Range Control
Specication
FUNCTION SPECIFICATION
Bandwidth 8 MHz
Video
Connections
BNC Sockets
CAT5
Connections
Terminal Strips Or
RJ45 Sockets
Max Distance 2000m
Power 12V DC
Current 150mA
Power
Connection 2.1mm DC Socket
Dimensions 203 x 119 x 48mm
01246 200 000 systemq.com 2
All specications are approximate. System Q Ltd reserves the right to
change any product specications or features without notice. Whilst
every eort is made to ensure that these instructions are complete
and accurate, System Q Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way
for any losses, no matter how they arise, from errors or omissions in
these instructions, or the performance or non-performance of the
equipment that these instructions refer to.
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying
documents means that used electronic equipment
must not be mixed with general household waste.
For treatment, recovery and recycling please return
this unit to your trade supplier or local designated
collection point as dened by your local council.
WEE/CG0783SS
The Advantage Of Using CAT5 Cable
CAT5 cable allows a tremendously exible way to install and distribute CCTV signals around
buildings and between locations. If for example you have two buildings over 1000mtrs
apart you could use one CAT5 cable to run 4 CCTV images from one building to another by
using active baluns. This provides savings on both labour and cable costs. Often you can
nd a spare CAT5 cable that is not being used but was put in originally as a spare data cable.
CAT5 cable is also easy to handle and quite low cost. New commercial buildings are often
“ooded” with CAT5 cabling, allowing tremendous scope to alter where and how CCTV
cameras are used without necessarily having to install new and additional cables. Computer
installation engineers use what are called“patch panels”and can also be used with great
success for CCTV installations. In this structured cabling system you have to work out where
CCTV equipment may be needed and install the appropriate CAT5 outlets nearby. It is also
wise to provide some local source (or potential source) of power. By bringing all the CAT5s to
one area and installing what is called a“patch panel” you can then re-distribute the signals
however you please.
Using The BAL604 & 654 Video Balun
The balun requires a pair of cores in the CAT5 cable to send each video signal down. The
BAL604 receive must always be at the DVR end of the installation. If the BAL654 transmitter is
use it must always be at the camera end of the installation and will only work with an active
balun receiver.
As The BAL604 and 654 are active baluns they will either need to be powered locally or by
using a separate cable.
One balun convert the unbalanced signal to balanced for communication across the
CAT5 balanced twisted pair and the second balun converts the balanced signal back to
an unbalanced signal. Therefore two baluns are always required. As a continuous signal is
required baluns cannot send the video through “hubs” or computer“switches” as they work
in purely analogue method rather than the digital “packet” method of hubs or switches.
This means that you cannot use baluns to send video pictures through existing computer
networks that use switches or hubs.
Step 1 Run in your CAT5 cable. This needs to be run between your camera and the rest of
your CCTV equipment. One CAT5 cable with 4 pairs can theoretically carry 4 video
signals, one per each pair of cores. It is good practice to run in more CAT5 cable than
you actually need as this gives exibility to add extra cameras, audio feeds etc.
Step 2 Identify the various pairs within the CAT5 cable. Four pair CAT5 cable has 4 easy
to identify pairs.
Step 3 Connect the SAME pair of cores to both the baluns using the terminal connections or
RJ45. Always adopt the same standard using the SOLID colour core as“-”and the
striped core as“+” when connecting to the balun terminals. It does not matter which
pair of cores you choose to use but they must be a pair and you must get the polarity
of the cores correct at the baluns (See diagram on page 5).
Step 4 Use a BNC–BNC lead to connect the BAL654 active transmitter balun to each camera.
Similarly use another BNC-BNC lead to connect the BAL604 active receiver to the
monitor or DVR etc.
IMPORTANT You may get a good picture when connecting directly into a monitor but a poor
or bright picture when connecting into a DVR or a quad. This is because
monitors are very “forgiving” with the level and quality of the video signal
supplied to it. Quads, Multiplexers and DVRs are far less forgiving and require
a near perfect video signal to give good results.
Options Available
PART CODE DESCRIPTION
BAL604 4Ch Active Balun Receiver
BAL654 4Ch Active Balun Transmitter
BAL604 & 654 - 4ch Active Video Baluns (Rx & Tx)
Other Products To Consider
Mini 1ch Passive
Baluns (Pair)
BAL102
2.1mm 500mA 12V
DC Plug-in PSU
POW150
For more information on pairing passive and
active baluns see online tip 317
317
Features
•Transmit Up To 2000m
•2.1mm 12V DC Socket (150mA)
•BNC Video Connections
•Twisted Pair & RJ45 Connections
•Brightness & Sharpness Control
•Range Control
Specication
FUNCTION SPECIFICATION
Bandwidth 8 MHz
Video
Connections
BNC Sockets
CAT5
Connections
Terminal Strips Or
RJ45 Sockets
Max Distance 2000m
Power 12V DC
Current 150mA
Power
Connection 2.1mm DC Socket
Dimensions 203 x 119 x 48mm
01246 200 000 systemq.com 3
All specications are approximate. System Q Ltd reserves the right to
change any product specications or features without notice. Whilst
every eort is made to ensure that these instructions are complete
and accurate, System Q Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way
for any losses, no matter how they arise, from errors or omissions in
these instructions, or the performance or non-performance of the
equipment that these instructions refer to.
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying
documents means that used electronic equipment
must not be mixed with general household waste.
For treatment, recovery and recycling please return
this unit to your trade supplier or local designated
collection point as dened by your local council.
WEE/CG0783SS
BAL604 Receiver - Connections
Ground
(Earth)
Power
LED
RJ45
Socket
2.1mm 12V DC
Socket
Channel 1-4
Terminal Connections
Brightness Control
Video Out
Indicator LED
Sharpness
Control
Video Out To DVR,
Switcher Or Monitor
Specication
FUNCTION SPECIFICATION
Bandwidth 8 MHz
Video
Connections
BNC Sockets
CAT5
Connections
Terminal Strips Or
RJ45 Sockets
Max Distance 2000m
Power 12V DC
Current 150mA
Power
Connection 2.1mm DC Socket
Dimensions 203 x 119 x 48mm
Options Available
PART CODE DESCRIPTION
BAL604 4Ch Active Balun Receiver
BAL654 4Ch Active Balun Transmitter
BAL604 & 654 - 4ch Active Video Baluns (Rx & Tx)
Other Products To Consider
Mini 1ch Passive
Baluns (Pair)
BAL102
2.1mm 500mA 12V
DC Plug-in PSU
POW150
BAL604 Receiver - Controls
The brightness for each channels is simply controlled by the knobs on the side of the
unit. Twisting the knob left and right will turn the brightness up and down for the
respected channel.
The sharpness of each channel is controlled by a series of 4 dip switches. The dip-
switches work on a binary system where the length of the cable run dictates the level
the sharpness is set to. Very short cable runs would have the sharpness set to 0 where as
maximum 2000m cable runs would need the dip-switches setting to 15.
0 - Short Distance
4
8
12
1
5
9
13
2
6
10
14
3
7
11
15 - Max Distance 2000m
Features
•Transmit Up To 2000m
•2.1mm 12V DC Socket (150mA)
•BNC Video Connections
•Twisted Pair & RJ45 Connections
•Brightness & Sharpness Control
•Range Control
01246 200 000 systemq.com 4
All specications are approximate. System Q Ltd reserves the right to
change any product specications or features without notice. Whilst
every eort is made to ensure that these instructions are complete
and accurate, System Q Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way
for any losses, no matter how they arise, from errors or omissions in
these instructions, or the performance or non-performance of the
equipment that these instructions refer to.
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying
documents means that used electronic equipment
must not be mixed with general household waste.
For treatment, recovery and recycling please return
this unit to your trade supplier or local designated
collection point as dened by your local council.
WEE/CG0783SS
BAL654 Transmitter - Connections & Controls
Ground
(Earth)
Power
LED
RJ45 Video
Out Socket
2.1mm 12V DC
Socket
Channel 1-4 Video Out
Terminal Connections
Range Control
Video In
Indicator LED
Video In From
Cameras 1-4
Options Available
PART CODE DESCRIPTION
BAL604 4Ch Active Balun Receiver
BAL654 4Ch Active Balun Transmitter
BAL604 & 654 - 4ch Active Video Baluns (Rx & Tx)
Other Products To Consider
Mini 1ch Passive
Baluns (Pair)
BAL102
2.1mm 500mA 12V
DC Plug-in PSU
POW150
For more information on pairing passive and
active baluns see online tip 317
317
BAL654 Receiver - Controls
The level (range) for each channel is set with the slider on the side of the unit. The slider
has 3 possible positions. The rst position is for distances up to 1000m, the second
position is used for distances up to 1500m and the nal positions is for distances of up to
2000m as shown below.
Up To 1000m Up To 1500m Up To 2000m
Features
•Transmit Up To 2000m
•2.1mm 12V DC Socket (150mA)
•BNC Video Connections
•Twisted Pair & RJ45 Connections
•Brightness & Sharpness Control
•Range Control
Specication
FUNCTION SPECIFICATION
Bandwidth 8 MHz
Video
Connections
BNC Sockets
CAT5
Connections
Terminal Strips Or
RJ45 Sockets
Max Distance 2000m
Power 12V DC
Current 150mA
Power
Connection 2.1mm DC Socket
Dimensions 203 x 119 x 48mm
01246 200 000 systemq.com 5
Transmitting Via Twisted Pairs
When transmitting video via CAT5 twisted pairs, you must only use 1 twisted pair per
channel and the polarity must be replicated on both baluns as shown below.
All specications are approximate. System Q Ltd reserves the right to
change any product specications or features without notice. Whilst
every eort is made to ensure that these instructions are complete
and accurate, System Q Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way
for any losses, no matter how they arise, from errors or omissions in
these instructions, or the performance or non-performance of the
equipment that these instructions refer to.
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying
documents means that used electronic equipment
must not be mixed with general household waste.
For treatment, recovery and recycling please return
this unit to your trade supplier or local designated
collection point as dened by your local council.
WEE/CG0783SS
Terminal connections
on balun at camera end
of installation
Terminal connections
on balun at DVR end
of installation
DV
R
To
Monitor
V
ideo In
Fr
om Up
To
4 Cameras
V
ideo Out
To
DVR Or Quad
BAL654
Tr
ansmitter
12V DC PSU
12V DC PSU
BAL604
Receiv
er
CA
T5 Cable
CAT5 CableCA
Transmitting Via RJ45
RJ45 cables are usually supplied with pre-wired RJ45 plugs. If you are wiring your own RJ45
plugs the wires must be connected to the pins as shown below.
CCTV CAT5
Pin1 - Pin2
Pin4 - Pin5 Pin3 - Pin6
Pin7 - Pin8
Continued On Next Page
Options Available
PART CODE DESCRIPTION
BAL604 4Ch Active Balun Receiver
BAL654 4Ch Active Balun Transmitter
BAL604 & 654 - 4ch Active Video Baluns (Rx & Tx)
Other Products To Consider
Mini 1ch Passive
Baluns (Pair)
BAL102
2.1mm 500mA 12V
DC Plug-in PSU
POW150
Features
•Transmit Up To 2000m
•2.1mm 12V DC Socket (150mA)
•BNC Video Connections
•Twisted Pair & RJ45 Connections
•Brightness & Sharpness Control
•Range Control
Specication
FUNCTION SPECIFICATION
Bandwidth 8 MHz
Video
Connections
BNC Sockets
CAT5
Connections
Terminal Strips Or
RJ45 Sockets
Max Distance 2000m
Power 12V DC
Current 150mA
Power
Connection 2.1mm DC Socket
Dimensions 203 x 119 x 48mm
01246 200 000 systemq.com 6
All specications are approximate. System Q Ltd reserves the right to
change any product specications or features without notice. Whilst
every eort is made to ensure that these instructions are complete
and accurate, System Q Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way
for any losses, no matter how they arise, from errors or omissions in
these instructions, or the performance or non-performance of the
equipment that these instructions refer to.
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying
documents means that used electronic equipment
must not be mixed with general household waste.
For treatment, recovery and recycling please return
this unit to your trade supplier or local designated
collection point as dened by your local council.
WEE/CG0783SS
DV
R
To
Monitor
V
ideo In
Fr
om Up
To
4 Cameras
V
ideo Out
To
DVR Or Quad
BAL654
Tr
ansmitter
12V DC PSU
12V DC PSU
BAL604
Receiv
er
RJ45
Pa
tc
h
(Straight) Cable
Standard CAT5
Pin1 - Pin2
Pin4 - Pin5 Pin3 - Pin6
Pin7 - Pin8
Fault Finding
Baluns are incredibly reliable. This means if the balun does not work when it is installed you
really need to investigate the installation thoroughly.
No Picture
1. The wrong core colours have been used in the wrong order, re-check
the connection order.
2. There is no power to the camera or the camera is not working. The baluns can only
send a video signal down the cable if the video signal is actually there. Make sure the
camera is producing a picture using a test monitor.
3. The cable is damaged or there is an open circuit or short caused by stretching, clipping or
when dragged in. Replace.
4. No power or insucient power to the balun.
Poor Picture
1. The camera is not working properly. The baluns can only send a GOOD signal down
the cable if the camera is producing a GOOD picture to start with. Make sure the
camera is producing a picture using a test monitor.
2. If you have the polarity of the CAT5 the wrong way around or use two cores from
two dierent pairs you will get unpredictable results so please change.
Options Available
PART CODE DESCRIPTION
BAL604 4Ch Active Balun Receiver
BAL654 4Ch Active Balun Transmitter
BAL604 & 654 - 4ch Active Video Baluns (Rx & Tx)
Other Products To Consider
Mini 1ch Passive
Baluns (Pair)
BAL102
2.1mm 500mA 12V
DC Plug-in PSU
POW150
Features
•Transmit Up To 2000m
•2.1mm 12V DC Socket (150mA)
•BNC Video Connections
•Twisted Pair & RJ45 Connections
•Brightness & Sharpness Control
•Range Control
Specication
FUNCTION SPECIFICATION
Bandwidth 8 MHz
Video
Connections
BNC Sockets
CAT5
Connections
Terminal Strips Or
RJ45 Sockets
Max Distance 2000m
Power 12V DC
Current 150mA
Power
Connection 2.1mm DC Socket
Dimensions 203 x 119 x 48mm
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