CCTV video baluns, also known as UTP baluns and CAT5 baluns, allow CAT-5 cable and other twisted pair wire to be used in CCTV camera and HD security camera installations. Video baluns allow installers to use more cost-effective structured cabling techniques to wire security cameras instead of using traditional RG59 Siamese coax cable. By using video baluns, UTP wire such as cat-5 can be run over long distances easier than coax cable and for less money. Active balun transceivers enable UTP wires for cameras to be run distances up to 5,000 feet

Baluns are more easily understood as a way to make BNC cameras compatible for use with Cat5e/Cat6 cable. The benefit of using Cat5e/Cat6 cable is it's noticeably cheaper cost, and ability to significantly stretch out the maximum length of your runs. With multiple types of video baluns in existence, you'll want to closely look at the purpose of each and determine which is most appropriate for you situation.

Video Balun

A video balun will send video from a security camera that has a BNC connector back to the DVR, but will not provide power to the camera. You still need to run an additional 2-lead power cable or use an individual power adaptor at the site of the camera. The maximum length of video transmission varies depending on the signal type of the BNC camera. For older analog cameras it is 1000 feet, and for HD security cameras over coax it is 800ft.