CAT-5 HDMI BALUN APPLICATION NOTes - Niles Audio

CAT-5 HDMI BALUN APPLICATION NOtes

Included are three popular applications that will help you design effective systems using Niles CAT-5 HDMI Baluns. For more
in-depth information, be sure to review the Critical Knowledge and Tips From The Pros sections in each application.

APPLICATION: A/V Receiver Connected to an HDTV Display

This is the most popular use of HDMI baluns. Instead of running a pre-made HDMI cable through the wall from an HDMI
switching receiver to an HD display, you simply run two CAT-5 cables and use Niles HDMI Baluns—a much easier (and less
expensive) solution. Running HDMI cable inside a wall cavity is risky on new construction projects (the cable could get stolen
or damaged), and it is virtually impossible in many retrofit projects.

This application is susceptible to problems due to the “handshaking” required by the HDMI specification. Handshaking refers to
the establishment of communication between two HDMI devices—say a Blu-ray player through an A/V receiver to an LCD TV.
During this initial communication, information about resolution, copy protection, and other parameters are negotiated between
the two devices. If there are problems with this handshaking, the two devices will not communicate. If there is a problem, it
is usually with the A/V receiver. There are two varieties of HDMI switching found on A/V receivers: “straight switching” and
“switching with repeating.” A/V receivers that use “switching with repeating” keep the critical handshaking engaged constantly
for any connected HDMI device. When a switch occurs, they simply move from one “repeater” connection to another. This
means you have less chance of failure. Straight switching units can be hit-or-miss. Also, in our testing we found that, by
and large, “repeating” A/V receivers are capable of HDMI balun distances much greater than “switching” only A/V receivers.
Therefore we recommend that “repeating” A/V receivers be used in this application.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE Tips from the Pros

• A complete HDMI balun system consists to the transmitter balun. Depending on • When using this application, always
of a “transmitter” and “receiver” balun. the circumstances, better performance know your gear before specifying it
Both are required. may be achieved by connecting the into a system. Don’t try combinations
power supply at the receiver end. on a jobsite without testing them first.
• A/V receivers that include HDMI
“repeating” perform better than normal • T he two runs of CAT-5 must be the • U se wall-mount baluns behind the
“switching” A/V receivers. same length (Siamese CAT-5 cables television.
work best!).
• T he power supply is normally connected • C AT-6 cable may reduce the maximum
distance due to tighter twists within
the cable.

APPLICATION: A/V Receiver to TV

Niles Audio Corporation 12331 SW 130 Street, Miami, FL 33186 1-800-BUY-HIFI- 305-238-4373 – www.nilesaudio.com

APPLICATION: HD Source Connected to an HDTV Display

This is another popular use of HDMI baluns. In this scenario we have an HD cable box in one room and a TV in another
room. At this distance, it is impractical to run pre-made HDMI cables in the wall. The best solution is to use Niles HDMI
baluns and run two lengths of CAT-5 cable.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE Tips from the Pros

• A complete HDMI balun system • U se wall mount baluns behind the
consists of a “transmitter” and television.
“receiver” balun. Both are required.
• CAT-6 cable may reduce the maximum
• In our testing, we have found that distance due to tighter twists within
Blu-ray players and TVs of the same the cable.
brand yielded the greatest distance
between HDMI baluns.

• T he power supply is normally
connected to the transmitter balun.
Depending on the circumstances,
better performance may be achieved
by connecting the power supply at
the receiver end.

• T he two runs of CAT-5 must be the
same length (Siamese CAT-5 cables
work best!).

APPLICATION: HD Cable box to TV

Niles Audio Corporation 12331 SW 130 Street, Miami, FL 33186 1-800-BUY-HIFI- 305-238-4373 – www.nilesaudio.com

APPLICATION: HD Source Connected to an A/V Receiver

This is a less common scenario. Here we have a Blu-ray player in one room that runs into a second room containing our
A/V receiver. It is impractical to run pre-made HDMI cables to these distances in the wall. The best solution is to use Niles
baluns and install two runs of CAT-5 cable. We recommend that you read the “handshaking” section in the Receiver to HD
TV application.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE Tips from the Pros

• A complete HDMI balun system • When using this application, always
consists of a “transmitter” and know your gear before specifying it
“receiver” balun. Both are required. into a system. Don’t try combinations
on a jobsite without testing them first.
• A /V receivers with HDMI “repeating”
perform better than normal • C AT-6 cable may reduce the maximum
“switching” A/V receivers. distance due to tighter twists within
the cable.
• The power supply is normally
connected to the transmitter
balun, however depending on the
circumstances, better performance
may be achieved by connecting the
power supply at the receiver end.

• The two runs of CAT-5 must be the
same length (Siamese CAT-5 cables
work best!).

APPLICATION: Blu-ray to A/V Receiver

Niles Audio Corporation 12331 SW 130 Street, Miami, FL 33186 1-800-BUY-HIFI- 305-238-4373 – www.nilesaudio.com

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