What Is a Video Balun?

Video baluns work to convert a balanced electrical line to an unbalanced line and vice versa. Balanced lines have two conductors and equal currents in opposing directions, while unbalanced lines only have one conductor and a current returning through a common ground.

Function

An unbalanced video signal is transformed by the balun to a balanced frequency originating from a different cable. Video baluns come in pairs with one being responsible for converting from unbalanced to balanced and another to convert the signal back.

Features

Balancing the frequency through video baluns transmits a stronger signal and prevents signal interference.

Passive and Active

There are passive and active video baluns and only the latter requires power to operate.

Applications

Common applications of video baluns exist in BNC or coaxial cable, security and surveillance systems, closed circuit television (CCTV) systems, home theaters and televisions, computer monitors and laptops, DVD players, USB devices and unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable.

Product

Balun is also the name of a product in electronics that performs the conversion function while transmitting a video signal to an additional source.

References

• Definition
• Surveillance Use

Resources

• Balun Transceivers