Video Baluns and HDMI Extenders: Send CCTV Video Over LAN Cable
Short answer: a video balun lets an analog HD CCTV camera send its picture over ordinary LAN (Cat5e or Cat6) cable instead of coaxial cable, and an HDMI extender sends a DVR or set-top box picture to a far-away screen over the same kind of cable. Our VB-04 4-channel passive balun set costs ₹1,499 and carries four AHD, HDCVI or HDTVI cameras on one cable for up to 300 metres, and the HEX-30 HDMI extender costs ₹449 for 1080p up to 30 metres. Neither carries camera power, so plan a 12V supply as well. Prices include GST and delivery across India is free.
What is a video balun?
A CCTV camera that connects to a DVR (not an NVR) sends its video on a BNC connector meant for coaxial cable. A balun is a small converter that changes that signal so it can travel down one twisted pair of a LAN cable, and a second balun at the DVR end changes it back to BNC. "Passive" means it needs no power of its own.
Why bother? LAN cable is thinner, easier to pull through conduit, and many buildings already have it in the walls. One Cat6 cable has four twisted pairs, so with a 4-channel balun like the VB-04 a single cable can carry four cameras from a far corner of a factory or a farmhouse gate back to the DVR.
How does a 4-channel balun set work?
The VB-04 comes as a set of two units, one for each end. According to its listing it supports AHD, HDCVI and HDTVI formats, needs no power and works over distances of 0 to 300 metres.
- Camera end: plug the BNC leads from up to four cameras into the first balun. This end usually sits in a junction box near the cameras.
- Cable: run one Cat5e or Cat6 cable from that balun to the DVR location. Each camera uses one of the four pairs inside the cable.
- DVR end: plug the cable into the second balun and connect its four BNC leads to the DVR inputs.
- Power: run camera power separately, either from a local 12V supply near the cameras or with a separate power cable from a box supply at the DVR.
The maximum distance in practice depends on cable quality and camera resolution. Higher-resolution cameras are more sensitive to long runs, so use solid copper Cat6 and test the picture before fixing everything in place.
Where should I use baluns, and where not?
- Use baluns for analog HD cameras on long runs, for several cameras clustered at one far point, or when LAN cable is already laid in the building.
- Do not use baluns for IP cameras. IP cameras already use LAN cable natively and get power over it from a PoE switch. See PoE switch for CCTV: how many ports and watts.
- Keep video and mains apart. Do not run the LAN cable in the same conduit as 230V wiring; it picks up interference that shows as lines on the picture.
- Match formats. The VB-04 handles AHD, HDCVI and HDTVI, which covers most analog HD cameras sold in India. Check your camera and DVR use one of these.
What does an HDMI extender do?
HDMI cables get expensive and unreliable beyond a few metres. An HDMI extender uses a pair of small units and a LAN cable in between. You plug the sender into the HDMI output of the DVR, set-top box or computer, run a Cat5e or Cat6 cable to the screen, and plug the receiver into the TV or monitor.
The HEX-30's listing states it carries HDMI video and audio up to 30 metres over a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable at 1080p, supports HDMI 1.4 and HDCP 1.1/1.2, needs no driver and no separate power supply, and is plug and play.
Typical uses:
- DVR in the back office, CCTV view on a monitor at the shop counter or in the owner's cabin.
- One set-top box feeding a TV in another room or a waiting area.
- A computer driving a display or TV on the other side of a classroom or reception.
For bigger screens used to show offers, menus or notices, see our digital signage buying guide.
Can I extend USB the same way?
Yes, for light devices. The USEX-50 USB extender sends USB over a Cat5, Cat5e or Cat6 patch cable for up to 150 feet, powered from the USB port. Its listing names USB cameras, printers, webcams, keyboards and mice, and says it is not suited to hard drives. It is handy for placing a USB fingerprint scanner or printer at a counter away from the computer.
Baluns, extenders and power: prices (NavKar Systems, 27 October 2026)
| Product | What it does | Key spec (from listing) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEX-30 HDMI Extender | HDMI over one LAN cable | Up to 30 m, 1080p, no power supply needed | ₹449 |
| USEX-50 USB Extender | USB over LAN cable | Up to 150 ft, USB powered | ₹500 |
| VB-04 4-Channel Video Balun (set of 2) | 4 analog HD cameras over one LAN cable | AHD/HDCVI/HDTVI, passive, 0–300 m | ₹1,499 |
| DP-04 4 Ch Power Supply | Powers up to 4 cameras | 12V 3A | ₹550 |
| CP-DPS-PD08V2-12D | Powers up to 8 cameras | 8 channels, cable compensation switch | ₹799 |
| WPAD-12 Outdoor Power Supply | Local power at a far camera | 12V 2A, rainproof | ₹449 |
| RK-2U Wall Rack | Houses the DVR and baluns | Steel, glass door, wall mount | ₹1,450 |
Example: four cameras at a farmhouse gate, 150 metres from the house. One VB-04 set (₹1,499) carries all four pictures on one Cat6 cable, and a WPAD-12 rainproof supply (₹449) or a DP-04 supply in a weatherproof box (₹550) powers the cameras at the gate end. Balun plus power comes to ₹1,948 or ₹2,049, before cable and cameras.
Note: the HEX-30 and USEX-50 had only a few units in stock when this was written. Browse more in networking, switches and cables, CCTV power supplies and CCTV cameras and accessories. For sizing camera power, read how to choose a 12V power adaptor.
FAQ
Can I use a LAN cable for an analog CCTV camera?
Yes, with a video balun at each end. The balun converts the camera's BNC video to travel over one twisted pair of a Cat5e or Cat6 cable, and back again at the DVR.
Does a passive video balun carry power?
No. A passive balun carries only the video signal. Power the camera with a separate 12V supply near the camera or over a separate cable.
How far can a video balun send CCTV video?
The VB-04 is listed for 0 to 300 metres. Real distance depends on cable quality and camera resolution, so use solid copper Cat6 on long runs.
How far can an HDMI extender send video?
The HEX-30 is listed for up to 30 metres at 1080p over a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable, with no separate power supply.
Do I need baluns for IP cameras?
No. IP cameras connect directly with LAN cable and can take power from a PoE switch, so baluns are only for analog HD cameras on a DVR.
Prices are NavKar Systems website prices on 27 October 2026, inclusive of GST, and may change.
