The limits of balun technology become more apparent as RF video is transmitted over Cat5. MuxLab has been involved in this market and CATV over Cat5 has been a problem solver for some RF video users.   However, even baluns and UTP have their limits. The signal attenuation above 600 MHz is quite high and above 900 MHz it is virtually impossible to push an RF video signal through even with amplification. This precludes any application for satellite RF over Cat5.  However, apartments, hotels, condominiums have been quick to use RF video baluns to solve sticky problems where coaxial cable is not available.
Figure 6: Typical CATV and Cable Modem Application
Among the latest developments in CATV balun technology is the support for terrestrial channel frequencies up to 900 MHz, enabling applications such as broadband Internet and HDTV channels. At higher channel frequencies, superior quality twisted pair cable is needed and sometimes RF amplifiers must be used to compensate for the high signal losses over UTP. Category 6/7 cable has been found to provide some improvement over Cat5 cable at frequencies above 550 MHz.. Siemon specifies its Category 7 cable for use with RF baluns in order to support RF video transmission over copper twisted pair.�
(http://www.siemon.com/e-catalog/ECAT_GI_page.aspx?GI_ID=mpc_tera-video-balun-cord).  Despite the fact that RF is an efficient distribution method for video and Internet, there are relatively few UTP cabling solutions on the market. This may also be due in part to the significant technical challenges and limitations in transmitting RF video/data over Cat5. Some vendors have taken up the challenge. For example, BH Electronics, Z-Band, Commscope (Systimax) and MuxLab are a few companies that offer proprietary solutions for RF-over-Cat5 which include RF video baluns and distribution hubs.
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