Niles CAT-5 baluns use durable, inexpensive CAT-5 cable to send video and audio signals to another room in your house.

High-def multi-room video using an existing CAT-5 network

Niles CAT-5 baluns
Niles CAT-5 baluns use durable, inexpensive CAT-5 cable to send video and audio signals to another room in your house. They're a good option for homes with an existing CAT-5 network, since you won't have to install any new in-wall wire. Some models can handle high-definition video and digital audio signals.

You'll need to purchase two matching baluns to set up a fully functioning system. One connects to a video source in your main room, as well as to your CAT-5 network; in your remote viewing room, the second balun receives the signals, converts them to standard audio and video signals, and sends them to a connected TV and sound system.

What is a balun?
Niles' baluns are small black boxes that enable standard audio and video signals to travel long distances over CAT-5 cable. A/V connections travel along unbalanced lines that are prone to noise and interference. CAT-5 networks, on the other hand, consist of balanced lines, which do a good job of resisting interference, even over long cable runs. A balun gets its name by converting signals between balanced and unbalanced lines. Niles baluns convert audio/video signals between balanced CAT-5 connections and unbalanced A/V connections.

Pros

• Allow you to distribute high-quality video and audio signals over durable, inexpensive CAT-5 cable.
• Support long cable runs up to 500 feet or more.
• Some models support resolutions up to 1080i, as well as digital audio for surround sound.

Cons

• Each pair of CAT-5 baluns only allows you to send video to one additional area.
• The baluns cannot share the CAT-5 cable with other signals. That means you wouldn't be able to use your CAT-5 cable to connect your home computers to the Internet and send audio or video to a remote room at the same time. One solution is to run additional CAT-5 cable for the baluns, so that you can continue to use your main CAT-5 network for Internet surfing, etc.

Setup tips

• You'll need two matching baluns for a complete setup.
• Not compatible with Wi-Fi® adapters.
• You'll need a remote control extender system to control your gear from a secondary room; see our article on Remote Control Setups for Multi-room Systems for more information.

This might be for you if...

• You'd like to send video and audio to a system in another room.
• You want to access existing A/V equipment located in one room from another place in your home.
• You're installing a system in a house that has or will have a CAT-5 network.

OWLink distribution systems carry high-definition video and stereo audio over a single, flexible cable.

Send high-def video to multiple rooms using fiber optic cable

OWLink video distribution systems
OWLink gear lets you distribute high-definition video and stereo audio throughout your home using fiber optic cables. Use their distribution systems to send audio/video signals around a single room. These systems use transmitters and receivers to send high-def video and stereo audio signals through a single, flexible cable that's about as thin and lightweight as fishing line. Because the fiber optic cable can also carry remote signals, you can control your gear without running extra cables or adding a remote repeater system.

For multi-room applications, they make a metal-wrapped cable that's rated for in-wall use. Like their standard cable, the in-wall cable connects to OWLink transmitters/receivers and carries remote signals. The cable's very narrow and flexible, so it's easy to fish through walls and route around obstacles.

Pros

• Allows you to distribute video and audio signals from one or more sources to multiple displays in your home.
• Handles HD signals up to 1080p
• Fiber optic cables carry IR signals, so you don't have to set up a separate remote repeater system.
• Narrow, flexible cable makes it easy to hide against a baseboard or fish through walls.

Cons

• Multi-room connections may require you to install in-wall cables (may not be an easy option for finished homes).
• Only passes stereo audio (may not be an ideal solution if you want to send high-def video and surround sound to a second location).

Setup tips

• To send video and audio to multiple rooms from multiple sources, you'll need an HDMI switcher as well as an OWLink transmitter and receiver for each viewing area.

This might be for you if...

• You'd like to send one video source to another display area in your home.
• You'd like to send multiple sources to multiple areas of your home.
• You're installing a system in a house that's being renovated or is still under construction.

Key Digital's distribution amplifiers can carry HD video to multiple locations in your home. See an example of a setup using this model below.

Send video to multiple rooms using standard A/V cables — including high-definition content

Audio/video amplifiers
Audio/video amplifiers can send signals from one or more components to multiple displays and/or multiple rooms using common video and audio interconnects. As their name implies, these devices boost the audio and video signals, allowing them to travel longer distances without degradation. They offer a range of picture quality, from regular TV to high-definition. If you'd like to control your system from a remote room, you'll need a remote control extender system; see our article on Remote Control Setups for Multi-room Systems for more information.

If you're interested in high-definition video distribution, check out Key Digital's switchers and distribution amplifiers. They can carry high-def video up to 1080p, as well as digital audio for full surround sound. They can be a great option for folks who want a multi-display or multi-room HD setup in their home or business.

Some Key Digital components can carry high-def video up to 1080p, as well as digital audio for full surround sound, to multiple rooms in your home.

Pros

• Allows you to distribute video and audio signals from one or more sources to multiple displays in your home.
• Some switchers and amplifiers can handle HD signals up to 1080p.
• Some switchers and amplifiers include sophisticated processing and a high-end design to maintain signal integrity and top picture quality, even over long runs.

Cons

• Requires installation of audio/video cables (may not be an easy option for finished homes).
• Installing a high-def-capable system can be expensive, especially if you use HDMI cable.

Setup tips

• Make sure you don't exceed the maximum cable lengths given in the owner's manual to maintain peak picture quality.
• You'll need a remote control extender system to control your gear from a secondary room; see our article on Remote Control Setups for Multi-room Systems for more information.

This might be for you if...

• You'd like to send 1-2 video sources to multiple displays in the same area — for example, you could hang monitors over the sectional couch, bar, and pool table in your rec room so everyone can easily watch the game.
• You'd like to send video from 2-4 sources to 2-4 rooms/displays — for example, you could enjoy your favorite movie in the living room while a housemate watches the game in the den.
• You want to access existing A/V equipment located in one room from multiple places in your home.
• You're installing a system in a house that's being renovated or is still under construction.

On-Q video systems integrate with their security camera systems, so you can view security footage on your televisions.

Integrated video and security systems

On-Q structured wiring systems
Use On-Q video modules to create a multi-room system that distributes standard-definition cable or broadcast television signals around your home and can integrate with On-Q security camera systems. Their security modules let you monitor your front door, patio, or even individual rooms within your home. By linking the two systems together, you'll be able to view the video feeds from the security cameras on TVs throughout your home. For example, if the doorbell rings and you're in your bedroom, turn on the TV to see who's there — you won't have to sprint from one side of the house to the other.

Pros

• Allows you to distribute video signals to multiple locations around your home.
• Integrates with On-Q security systems, so you can use TVs in your home as displays for security video feeds.

Cons

• Requires installation of in-wall audio/video cables (may not be an easy option for finished homes).
• Video modules don't support distribution of satellite TV signals.

Setup tips

• Contact our A/V Design Group for help customizing an On-Q system to your home.

This might be for you if...

• You'd like to send standard-def video signals around your home and want to use your TV's screen as a display devices for your home security system.
• You're installing a system in a house that's still under construction or one that's being heavily renovated.