AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun - AV Extender MuxLab - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun (Extender)
Brand	MuxLab
Models	500048 (male RCA connectors), 500049 (female RCA connectors)
Application	Extends composite video, stereo audio, and IR signal over a single Cat5e/6 cable
Video Signal	Composite video (NTSC, PAL, SECAM)
Audio Signal	Line level analog stereo audio, 20 Hz – 20 kHz bandwidth
IR Pass-Through	Supports IR emitter via dedicated twisted pair (pins 4 & 5)
Maximum Distance (Video)	2,200 ft (670 m) over Cat5e/6 UTP/STP
Maximum Distance (Audio)	3,250 ft (990 m) over Cat5e/6 UTP/STP
Video Impedance	75 ohms
Audio Impedance	600 ohms minimum
Connectors (500048)	3 RCA male (yellow video, red/white audio), 2-pole terminal block for IR, RJ45 female
Connectors (500049)	3 RCA female (yellow video, red/white audio), 2-pole terminal block for IR, RJ45 female
Cable Requirements	Cat5e/6 UTP/STP, 24 AWG solid copper, 100 ohms at 1 MHz, max capacitance 20 pf/ft
Dimensions	2.40” x 2.25” x 1.00” (6.10 x 5.72 x 2.54 cm); 500048 adds 6” cable leads
Weight	3.1 oz (89 g) per balun
Enclosure Material	Fire retardant plastic
Operating Temperature	0° to 55°C
Storage Temperature	-20° to 85°C
Humidity	Up to 95% non-condensing
Power	Passive, no external power required
Warranty	Lifetime
Maintenance	Keep connectors clean; no other maintenance required
Safety	No special precautions needed; low voltage passive device
Spare Parts / Repairability	Not repairable; replace unit if defective

Frequently Asked Questions - AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun MuxLab

What does the MuxLab AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun do?

The MuxLab AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun allows you to transmit one composite video, one stereo audio, and one IR emitter signal over a single Cat5e/6 cable in a point-to-point connection. It is ideal for extending AV signals over long distances without signal degradation.

What cables are needed for installation?

You need a pair of baluns (500048 and 500049) and one Cat5e or Cat6 UTP/STP cable with RJ45 connectors at both ends. The cable must be 24 AWG solid copper twisted pair with 100 ohms impedance and maximum capacitance of 20 pf/ft.

What is the maximum distance I can transmit video and audio?

Video can be transmitted up to 2,200 ft (670 m) and audio up to 3,250 ft (990 m) over Cat5e/6 cable. The IR distance depends on the IR vendor specifications.

How do I connect the IR pass-through?

Connect the IR emitter to the 2-pole terminal block on the balun. The IR signal uses pins 4 (Ring) and 5 (Tip) of the RJ45 connector. Ensure polarity is correct: Ring to Ring, Tip to Tip.

What types of video sources are supported?

The balun supports composite video from devices such as DVD players, VCRs, satellite receivers, MPEG players, laptops, notebooks, monitors, LCD projectors, CCD cameras, and other composite video equipment. It works with NTSC, PAL, and SECAM formats.

Can I use this balun with shielded Cat6 cable?

Yes, the balun works with both UTP (unshielded) and STP (shielded) Cat5e or Cat6 cable. Shielded cable can help reduce EMI interference in noisy environments.

How do I troubleshoot if there is no video?

First, check cable continuity between the balun pairs. Ensure the baluns are connected to correct video inputs/outputs and that power supplies are on. Verify straight-through polarity (Ring to Ring, Tip to Tip). If the image has unusual colors, reversed polarity may be the cause.

Why is my audio weak or distorted?

Weak audio may indicate exceeding the distance limit (990 m). Distortion can be caused by EMI interference from transformers or ballasts, or a split pair in the UTP cable. Ensure the audio system has power and check for reverse polarity (phase cancellation).

Is the balun powered or passive?

The balun is a passive device and does not require any external power supply. It relies on the electrical signals from the connected AV equipment to transmit the signals over the Cat5e/6 cable.

What is the warranty period?

MuxLab offers a lifetime warranty for the AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun. If the device fails under normal use, it should be replaced. Note that the balun is not repairable; replacement is the only option.

USER MANUAL AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun MuxLab

Environment	Composite video (NTSC, PAL, SECAM). Line level analog audio. IR Remote.
Devices	DVD players, VCR, satellite receivers, MPEG players, laptops, notebooks, monitors, LCD projectors, CCD cameras, video switchers, sequencers, digital video servers, video multiplexers, video splitters, video converters and other composite video equipment.
Transmission	Transparent to the user

	Composite Video Audio
Bandwidth	DC to 6 MHz 20 Hz to 20 KHz over the distance range
Impedance	75 ohms 600 ohms min.
Max. Input	1.1 Vp-p 1.1 Vp-p
Insertion Loss	Less than 2 dB per pair over the frequency range from DC to 6 MHz	Less than 2 dB per pair over the frequency range
Return Loss	Better than 15 dB over the frequency range N/A
Common Mode Rejection Ratio	Greater than 40 dB over the frequency range N/A
Max. Distance via Cat 5E/6 UTP/STP Cable	2,200 ft (670 m)IR: Please refer to IR vendor specifications	3,250 ft (990 m)
Pin Configuration (RJ45)	Video: Pins 7(R) & 8(T)IR Pass-Thru: Pins 4(R) & 5(T)Reverse Polarity Sensitive	Audio 1: Pins 1(R) & 2(T)Audio 2: Pins 3(R) & 6(T)
Cable:Cat 5E/6UTP/STP	24 AWG or lower solid copper twisted pair wireImpedance: 100 ohms at 1 MHzMaximum capacitance: 20 pf/ftAttenuation: 6.6 dB/1,000 ft at 1 MHz
Connectors	500048: Three RCA-M connectors: Video (yellow) & stereo audio (red, white)500049: Three RCA-F connectors: Video (yellow) & stereo audio (red, white)One (1) 2-pole terminal block for IR emitter pass-throughOne (1) RJ45 for Cat 5E/6
Temperature	Operating: 0° to 55°CStorage: -20° to 85°CHumidity: Up to 95% non-condensing
Enclosure	Fire retardant plastic
Dimensions	500048: 2.40" x 2.25" x 1.00" (6.10 x 5.72 x 2.54 cm) plus 6" (15 cm) cable leads for video and stereo audio500049: 2.40" x 2.25" x 1.00" (6.10 x 5.72 x 2.54 cm)
Weight	3.1 oz (89 g)
Warranty	Lifetime
Order Information	500048 Stereo AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun, M500049 Stereo AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun, F

MuxLab

8495 Dalton Road, Mount Royal, Quebec, Canada. H4T 1V5

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Toll Free (North America): [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail] URL: www.muxlab.com

Two Muxlab audio recording devices with connected audio/video cables and connectors (no visible text or symbols on the devices themselves)

Stereo AV / IR Pass-Thru Balun 500048, 500049
Quick Installation Guide

Overview

The Stereo AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun (500048, 500049) allows one (1) composite video, one (1) stereo audio and one (1) IR emitter signal to be transmitted via a single Cat 5E/6 cable in a point-to-point connection. The Stereo AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun features full audio bandwidth response for high fidelity applications and features built-in color-coded cable leads for ease of installation. The Stereo AV/IR Pass-Thru Balun also works in conjunction with third party IR Remote Control equipment. This enables the IR Emitter to connect to the IR control module using the same Cat 5E/6 cable as video and audio, allowing for more cost-efficient cabling. Some applications include: Classroom video distribution, commercial and home audio/video systems, hospital video training, video conferencing, and video kiosks

Installation

One (1) pair of baluns is needed to complete one composite stereo audio-video connection via Cat 5E/6 twisted pair. To install the baluns, perform the following steps:

1. Identify the pin configuration of the baluns. One (1) twisted pair is required for composite video and two (2) twisted pairs are required for stereo analog audio. The pin configuration follows the EIA/TIA 568A/B standard. The Stereo Hi-Fi Video Balun is reverse polarity sensitive. Please ensure that wiring is straight-through (Ring to Ring, Tip to Tip).

1. Plug one (1) balun into the composite video/stereo audio output of the video source according to the color code of the RCA cable leads.

1. Plug the second balun into the composite video/stereo audio input of the video screen or receiver at the remote end.
2. Complete the connection between the two baluns, using standard Cat 5E/6 twisted pair cable and connecting hardware, terminated on RJ45 plugs at both ends. Ensure that there are no split pairs or taps.
3. Power-on the audio-video equipment. Check the image quality and refer to the troubleshooting table below if the image quality is unsatisfactory. The following diagram shows a typical installation.

graph LR
    A["DVD Player"] --> B["2-wire IR emitter (3rd party)"]
    B --> C["Cat5 Unshielded Twisted Pair"]
    C --> D["500048"]
    D --> E["500048"]
    E --> F["IR Control Module & PSU (3rd party)"]
    E --> G["IR Emitter Out"]
    G --> H["IR Sensor (3rd party)"]
    H --> I["Plasma"]

© MuxLab Inc.

Troubleshooting

The following tables describe some of the symptoms, probable causes and possible solutions in respect to the installation of the Stereo Hi-Fi Video Balun. If you still cannot diagnose the problem, please call MuxLab Customer Technical Support at 877-689-5228 (toll-free in North America) or ([phone] (International).

Video Symptom Probable Cause Possible Solutions
	No continuity in video link	Verify cable continuity between balun pairs.
	Power off Check power	supplies of video equipment.No video
	Improper connection and/or swapped pair	Check that baluns are connected to correct video inputs and outputs.
Unusual colors Reversed polarity Check wiring & ensure straight-through polarity
Background pattern EMI interference		Identify possible radiating frequency sources (i.e., wireless LANs, switching power supplies). Try to isolate them from the video connection. Use shielded twisted pair grounded at both ends.
Smearing Exceeded distance		Verify cable grade. Use higher grade cable if necessary.
Weak contrast	Exceeded distance	Verify cable grade. Use higher grade cable if necessary. Increase contrast on monitor.
	Unusual link attenuation	Verify cable distance using ohmmeter or cable tester.
Image not stable	Defective link or equipment	Verify video equipment interface integrity.
Horizontal bars moving slowly	Substantial crosstalk between multiple video sources	Consecutively turn off other video sources to determine which video source is the cause of interference.
Snowy picture Distance	is near limit	Verify cable grade. Use higher grade cable if necessary. Reduce color intensity at monitor.

Audio Symptom Probable Causes Possible Solutions
Poor audio quality	EMI interference	Check that wiring is not too close to transformers and ballasts.
	Split pair	Ensure that the UTP pairs are not split and that each pair of wires is twisted.
No audio	No power Check your audio system for power.
	Open circuit Check wiring to ensure continuity.
	Defective balun	Change Stereo Hi-Fi/Video Baluns for another pair.
Audio phase cancellation	Reversed wires Check for straight-through wiring.
Audio weak	Distance specifications exceeded	Check DC loop resistance and verify if distance spec is exceeded. Reduce cable length or eliminate high-loss components.

IR Symptom Probable Cause Possible Solutions
No IR signal	No continuity in IR pair	Check wiring
	IR equipment malfunction	Check IR equipment with direct connection