Google Top Quality Store · Rated Exceptional
View as

Video Baluns

The Nitek VB37-F shows what a video balun does: it is a passive unit for twisted pair transmission of CCTV video, with two screw terminals for the pair and a female BNC for the coax. The range includes single baluns and a pack of two, balun hubs and a rack card, a long range transmitter and receiver system, and baluns that carry camera power, such as the Haydon HAY-POCCAM.

Choosing Video Baluns

Start with the length of the cable run and the number of cameras.

Passive baluns

The Nitek VB37-F is a passive balun that does not require power and works with HD/TVI/CVI/AHD, NTSC and PAL video. A basic system uses two VB37-F transceivers, one at each end of a twisted pair of wires. The Nitek VB31-PT has a mini-coax pigtail with a male BNC for in-camera or dome mounting. The Dahua DH-PFM800B-4K is a pack of 2 passive transceivers.

Distance

The Hikvision DS-1H18-A is a 1-channel balun with a BNC-M coaxial video connector and a tool-less push-pin terminal block, and it has a maximum transmission distance of 350m over UTP Cat5e/6. The Nitek VB37-F sends live video up to 225m to another CCTV balun transceiver, up to 450m with the TR515 single channel receiver and up to 900m with the TR560 single channel receiver. The Nitek EX560 is a complete twisted pair long range video transmission system that transmits over a range of 150 to 1800m of UTP cable, Category 2 or better.

Hubs and rack cards

The Nitek VH4-39 is a four port video balun hub with built-in surge suppression and video loss detection. The Nitek VB41-x8 is a modular card for a rack system, with 8 video balun units on the card. The Nitek VH32-56 is a 32 port active video hub, one rack unit in height, with built-in ground loop isolation and DIP switches for gain and loss control.

Power and control on the same cable

The Nitek VB43-ATF sends video, camera power and 2 wire control signals over a standard Category 5 cable, connected through an RJ45 connector. The Dahua PFM802 has a DC12-15V input that can provide power supply for remote cameras over a single UTP CAT5E/6 network cable. The Haydon HAY-POCCAM is a single channel PoC balun with one POC input, one BNC output and one 12V DC output.

ModelTypeDetail
Hikvision DS-1H18-A1-channel video balunTransmission distance max 350m
Dahua DH-PFM800B-4KPack of 2 passive transceiversUp to 200 metres at 4K
Nitek VB39-FPassive balun with built-in surge suppressionUp to 228m to another balun transceiver
Nitek EX560Long range video transmission systemRange of 150 to 1800m
Nitek VH4-39Four port video balun hubBuilt-in video loss detection

Related categories

See also coaxial cable, coaxial, F-type and BNC connectors, network cable and digital video recorders (DVRs).

Brands we stock in Video Baluns

Dahua Technology, Genie, Haydon, Hikvision and Nitek.

Frequently asked questions

How many CCTV baluns does one camera run need?

A camera run needs one balun at the camera and another at the far end of the twisted pair, so a basic system uses two. The Nitek VB37-F and VB39-F are each used in pairs, one at each end of a twisted pair of wires, and the Dahua DH-PFM800B-4K is a pack of 2 passive transceivers for 1 channel. The Nitek VH4-39 is a four port video balun hub that operates as a transmitter or receiver.

What is a video balun hub?

A video balun hub is a multi-port unit that sends or receives the video of several cameras over UTP cabling. The Nitek VH4-39 is a four port video balun hub that operates as a transmitter or receiver, with built-in surge suppression and RJ45 or push terminals for connection. The Nitek VH32-56 is a 32 port active video hub, a multi-channel video receiver device, with LEDs to indicate video detection.

How far can a UTP balun send video?

Range depends on the balun and on the receiver at the far end. The Hikvision DS-1H18-A sends video a maximum of 350m over UTP Cat5e/6 cable, and the Dahua DH-PFM800B-4K reaches up to 200 metres at 4K. The Nitek VB39-F reaches 228m to another balun, and up to 450 metres or 900m with Nitek single channel receivers.

How does a video balun work with PTZ control?

A video balun sends CCTV video over a twisted pair, and PTZ control either travels with the video on up-the-coax systems or runs on a separate pair. The Nitek VB37-F and VB39-F are compatible with all the up-the-coax control systems. The Nitek VB43-ATF sends video over one pair, 2 wire control signals over a second pair and camera power over the two remaining pairs of a Category 5 cable.

Does a passive video balun need a power supply?

No, a passive video balun needs no power supply of its own, although some baluns can also pass power to the camera. The Nitek VB37-F is a passive device that does not require power, and the VB31-PT and the Dahua DH-PFM800B-4K are passive transceivers too. The Dahua PFM802 has a 12-15V DC input that can power remote cameras, and the Haydon HAY-POCCAM has a 12V DC output.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

You may also like

  • Fast shipping

    On every UK Order

  • Special Trade Discount

    Regular sales and discounts

  • WME Guarantee

    We provide warranty

  • Full Support

    Talk to a real person