© Copyright 2005. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax 724-746-0746

 JULY 2005
IC463A
IC464A

SCART Balun Transmitter and Receiver

CUSTOMER Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
SUPPORT FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746
INFORMATION Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com
 SCART BALUN TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

This equipment complies with the requirements of the European EMC Directive
89/336/EEC.

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 SCART BALUN TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

Any trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the
trademark owners.

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Contents
Chapter Page

1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2. Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1 Symptoms, Probable Causes, and Possible Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1.1 Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1.2 Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2 Calling Black Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3 Shipping and Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Appendix: Pin Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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1. Specifications
Bandwidth: Composite/S-Video: DC to 6 MHz;
Analog Audio: 600 ohms, 73 Hz to 156 kHz @ 984 ft. (300 m) or 1.2 K ohms,
128 Hz to 91 kHz @ 984 ft. (300 m)

Transmission: Transparent to the user

Impedance: 75 ohms

Maximum Input: 1.1 Vp-p

Insertion Loss: Composite/S-Video: Less than 2 dB per pair over the frequency
range from DC to 6 MHz;
Analog Audio: 600 ohms, less than 3 dB per pair or 1.2 K ohms, less than 1.9 dB
per pair

Return Loss: Composite/S-Video: Better than 15 dB over the frequency range;

Analog Audio: N/A

Common Mode Rejection: Composite/S-Video: Greater than 40 dB over the

frequency range;
Analog Audio: N/A

Maximum Distance: S-Video: 984 ft. (300 m) using Category 5 UTP or STP cable;
Composite: 2197.6 ft. (670 m) using Category 5 UTP or STP cable;
Analog Audio: 4920 ft. (1500 m) using Category 5 UTP or STP cable

Connectors: (1) SCART/Péritelvision connector, (1) shielded RJ-45

Temperature Tolerance: Operating: 32 to 131°F (0 to 55°C);

Storage: -4 to +185°F (-20 to +85°C)

Humidity Tolerance: Up to 95%

Enclosure: Fire-retardant plastic

Size: 2.4"H x 2.25"W x 1"D (6.1 x 5.7 x 2.5 cm)

Weight: 0.3 lb. (0.1 kg)

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2. Overview
The SCART balun allows a single Composite or S-Video signal plus two analog
audio signals to be transmitted via unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) or shielded
twisted-pair (STP) cable in the European SCART/Péritelvision/Euroconnector
environment.

The non-powered balun operates as a transmit/receive pair and consists of a

SCART Balun Transmitter (IC463A) and a SCART Balun Receiver (IC464A). You
will need one transmitter and one receiver for each Composite or S-Video and
dual-audio signal. The transmitter connects to the transmit side (source), and the
receiver connects to the receive side (screen). Typical source devices include a
DVD player or a satellite receiver. Common screen devices include audio-video
monitors, plasma screens, and projectors.

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3. Installation
To install the balun pair, follow these steps.

CAUTION
Do not attempt to open the housing. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside the units.

1. Turn off the power and disconnect the audio-video source and monitor.

2. Make sure that modular outlets and cross-connects to which you will connect
the SCART balun are configured properly and labeled appropriately to
identify the circuit.

CAUTION
Do not connect the SCART balun to a telecommunication outlet wired to
unrelated equipment. Making such a connection may damage the
equipment and/or the balun.

3. Make sure that all wiring is straight-through twisted pair.

4. Verify that the desired twisted pairs are not being used for other LAN or
telephone equipment.

NOTE
The SCART balun operates as a transmit/receive pair.

5. Connect the SCART Balun Transmitter to the SCART source, such as a DVD
player or satellite receiver. See Figure 1.

6. Connect the SCART Balun Receiver to the SCART screen device, such as an
audio-video monitor, plasma screen, or projector. See Figure 1.

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4-pair Category 5 unshielded

twisted-pair (UTP) or shielded
twisted-pair (STP) cable

SCART Balun SCART Balun

SCART source Transmitter Receiver
(IC463A) (IC464A) SCART screen device

Figure 1. Typical configuration.

7. Connect a 4-pair Category 5 cable between the transmitter and receiver

following the TIA-568B wiring shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. TIA-568B wiring on the RJ-45 connector.

8. Power on the audio-video equipment at both ends and adjust the monitor
image and audio levels to the desired settings.

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4. Troubleshooting
4.1 Symptoms, Probable Causes, and Possible Solutions
4.1.1 VIDEO
Symptom: No video appears on the screen.

Probable Cause #1: There’s no continuity in the video link.

Possible Solution #1: Verify the cable continuity between pairs of baluns.

Probable Cause #2: The power is off.

Possible Solution #2: Make sure the video equipment’s power supplies are on.

Probable Cause #3: There’s an improper connection or swapped pairs.

Possible Solution #3: Make sure the baluns are connected to the correct video
inputs and outputs.

Symptom: Unusual colors appear on the screen.

Probable Cause: The wiring has reversed polarity.

Possible Solution: Check the wiring. Make sure that the polarity is straight-
through.

Symptom: A background pattern appears on the screen.

Probable Cause: EMI interference.

Possible Solution: Identify the possible radiating frequency sources (wireless LANs,
switching power supplies). Try to isolate them from the video connection. Use STP
cable grounded at least on one end.

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Symptom: Smearing appears on the screen.

Probable Cause: The maximum distance has been exceeded.

Possible Solution: Verify the cable grade. Use higher-grade cable, if necessary.

Symptom: Weak contrast appears on the screen.

Probable Cause #1: The maximum cable distance has been exceeded.

Possible Solution #1: Verify the cable grade. Use higher-grade cable.

Probable Cause #2: There’s unusual link attenuation.

Possible Solution #2: Verify the cable distance using an ohmmeter or cable tester.

Symptom: The image on the screen is not stable.

Probable Cause: The equipment or link is defective.

Possible Solution: Verify the video equipment’s interface integrity.

Symptom: Horizontal bars are moving slowly on the screen.

Probable Cause: There is substantial crosstalk between multiple video sources.

Possible Solution: One at a time, turn off other video sources to determine which
video source is the cause of the interference.

Symptom: A snowy picture appears on the screen.

Probable Cause: The distance is near the limit.

Possible Solution: Verify the cable grade. Use higher-grade cable, if necessary.
Reduce the color intensity at the monitor.

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4.1.2 AUDIO
Symptom: The audio quality is poor.

Probable Cause #1: EMI interference.

Possible Solution #1: Make sure the wiring is not too close to transformers and
ballasts.

Probable Cause #2: The wiring has a split pair.

Possible Solution #2: Verify that the UTP pairs are split and correct them. Each
signal pair must be twisted.

Symptom: No audio is heard.

Probable Cause #1: The power is off.

Possible Solution #1: Check the power supply to make sure it is plugged in.

Probable Cause #2: A contact is open.

Possible Solution #2: Check the wiring to ensure continuity.

Probable Cause #3: A balun is defective.

Possible Solution #3: Replace both baluns with a working pair.

Symptom: The audio signal is weak.

Probable Cause #1: The distance specifications have been exceeded.

Possible Solution #1: Check the DC loop resistance and see if the distance
specification is exceeded. Reduce cable length or eliminate high-loss components.

Probable Cause #2: A lower-grade UTP cable is introducing high signal losses.

Possible Solution #2: Use a signal repeater for extended distances or replace the
cable with a higher-grade cable.

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4.2 Calling Black Box

If you determine that your SCART Balun Transmitter and Receiver is malfunction-
ing, do not attempt to alter or repair the unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts.
Contact Black Box at 724-746-5500.

Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem. We will be able to
provide more efficient and accurate assistance if you have a complete description,
including:

• the nature and duration of the problem.

• when the problem occurs.

• the components involved in the problem.

• any particular application that, when used, appears to create the problem or
make it worse.

4.3 Shipping and Packaging

If you need to transport or ship your SCART Balun Transmitter and Receiver:

• Package it carefully. We recommend that you use the original container.

• If you are shipping the SCART Balun Transmitter and Receiver for repair,
make sure you include everything that came in the original package. Before
you ship, contact Black Box to get a Return Authorization (RA) number.

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Appendix. Pin Configurations

IC463A IC464A
SCART Description RJ-45 Pin RJ-45 SCART Description
Pin TIA-568B Signal Pin
4 Audio return 1 Audio 1 [R] 4 Audio return

1 Audio right 2 Audio 1 [T] 2 Audio right

out (signal) in (signal)

4 Audio return 3 Audio 2 [R] 4 Audio return

13 Chroma 4 Chroma [R] 13 Chroma

return return

15 Chroma out 5 Chroma [T] 15 Chroma in

3 Audio left 6 Audio 2 [T] 6 Audio left

(mono) out (mono) in
(signal) (signal)

17 Luma return 7 Luma/ 18 Luma return

Composite Composite Composite
video return [R] video return

19 Luma out 8 Luma/ 20 Luma in

Composite Composite Composite
video out [T] video in

21 Shield Shield Shield 21 Shield

(optional) (optional) (optional)

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