DuoDrive™ 9870D Residential Category 5 HDTV Distribution System
Installation and User Manual
Overview
The DuoDrive (Model 9870D) allows HDTV signals to be distributed throughout the home from a single source. Component video (YPbPr), analog stereo audio, and digital audio (coaxial) signals are included in each two-cable Cat 5 pathway. By connecting IR remote control systems to the DuoDrive system, users can easily control the source equipment from other rooms in the house. IR receiver and emitter products are not included with the DuoDrive.
System Design
The DuoDrive is comprised of one Model 9871 RCA-to-Category 5 Driver and two Model 9879 wallplate/receivers. (Two other Cat 5 receiver styles are also available, Models 9878 and 9880.) These products enable distribution of audio, video, and IR control signals on Cat 5 cable runs of up to 1,000 feet. The buffered Cat 5 bus outputs on each 9871 drive one or two wallplate/receivers. To expand output capacity of the system, connect together an unlimited number of 9871 Drivers using Kit 46, included with each Driver. High quality RCA patch cables can also be used for expansion.
Diagram illustrating the DuoDrive system design. It shows a 9871 Driver receiving RCA INPUT from a media player/sat/cable box, with connections for Component Video, Analog Audio, and Digital Audio. The 9871 Driver has buffered Cat 5 bus outputs (labeled A and B) that connect to two 9879 Wallplates via Cat 5, Cat 5e, or Cat 6 cables. An 18-volt DC power supply is connected to the 9871 Driver. The diagram also indicates that multiple 9871 Drivers can be connected together for expansion using Kit 46, and notes that a configuration of three 9871 Drivers could support six wallplates. A caution is present regarding bus output jack termination.Rough-In
Wallplate/receivers are normally placed on the wall behind the television sets or entertainment centers remoted off the main home entertainment system. Set a plaster ring at each wallplate location. Pull two runs of good quality Category 5, 5e, or 6 UTP cable from the head-end location to each wallplate/receiver location. Be careful not to pinch, kink, or tightly staple the cable. Mark both ends of the cables in each set A and B, or use two different jacket colors of Cat 5 cable for A and B. It will be helpful to mark the cable length of each run at the wallplate/receiver end because you will have to adjust the cable length compensation when installing each wallplate/receiver.
Cat 5 Wallplate/Receivers
All three wallplate/receiver styles deliver component video, digital and analog audio, and IR signals. The 9879 offers a wallplate format to fit a standard single-gang electrical box, and features front and rear facing IR jacks.
Model 9878
The 9878 is a dual-gang stainless steel wallplate with an antenna pass-through jack.
Model 9879
The 9879 is a standard single-gang wallplate with front and rear IR jacks.
Model 9880
The 9880 is an enclosed receiver ideal for locations where a wallplate style receiver is not practical. DC power for each receiver is supplied through the Cat 5 cable from the 9871's power supply.
Installing the 9871 Driver
Mount the (first) 9871 Driver to any flat vertical or horizontal surface using the screws provided. You may wish to leave space to add 9871 Drivers to expand output capacity. Connect component video and all audio connections desired from the source equipment to the inputs of the 9871. Use high quality, matched sets of component video cables, and high quality RCA cables for audio. The IR bus jacks are only used to connect 9871 modules together.
If installing more than one 9871 Driver, connect all the bus outputs of the first Driver to the inputs of the next Driver using high quality patch cables or Kit 46 (sold separately), which provides convenient male to male connectors for a more compact installation. Connect bus jacks for all channels whether or not they will be used.
Pull two cables to each wallplate location, preferably using a different colored cable jacket for A and B cables. Install an RJ-45 termination on each end of every Cat 5 cable, using EIA-568B pairing (pins 1-2, 3-6, 4-5, 7-8). If possible, use EZ RJ-45 connectors. Check each cable with a network cable tester – CONTINUITY TESTING IS NOT ADEQUATE – the pairs must match the EIA-568B color code.
Diagram detailing the termination of a Category 5 connector (RJ45). It shows the connector oriented with the latch facing down and lists the wire colors for EIA-568B pairing: White/Orange, Orange, White/Green, Blue, White/Blue, Green, White/Brown, Brown. It notes that either EIA-568A or B standard can be used, but both ends must be terminated with the same standard. Diagram illustrating the connection of a 9871 Driver to an AV source. It shows the 9871 Driver receiving AV Source input and connected to an 18-volt power supply (PN 571-014). The diagram depicts Cat 5 cable connections to wallplates, with examples of cable length compensation settings: 'Less than 199 ft.' requires compensation = 3; '320 ft.' requires compensation = 1; '180 ft.' requires compensation = 1.Installing 9879 Wallplates
BE CERTAIN to connect the A cable to the A jack and the B cable to the B jack, or damage to the wallplate/receiver may occur. Adjust the cable length compensation if the cable between the Driver and the wallplate/receiver is over 100 feet long. Set the compensation at 1 for cables 100-199 ft. long, and 2 for 200-299 ft. cables, etc. Do not permanently mount the wallplate/receivers until after system testing.
Carefully connect the A and B cables to the Driver(s), power the source components, TVs, and AV receivers, and plug in 9871 power supplies to test the system. Connect a TV to each wallplate/receiver location to refine cable length compensation settings. Use the MINIMUM compensation setting that still provides the best picture.
Ideally, Drivers should be located near the audio/video sources, but if they must be placed far away, compensate for losses of the long coaxial cable by increasing the cable compensation setting by one click for each 200 feet of coaxial cable length (see diagram below). For example, if the coaxial cable length from source to 9871 Driver is 220 feet (1 click) and the Cat 5 cable length to a certain wallplate is 250 feet (2 clicks), the correct Cable Length Compensation for that wallplate is 1 + 2 = 3 clicks. Conditions vary, so it is best to verify settings using the video display that will be installed in each location.
Diagram illustrating system connections with varying cable lengths and compensation settings. It shows a 9871 Driver connected to an AV Source Component. One scenario depicts an RCA cable length of 220 ft. with Cable Length Compensation = 4, connected to a Cat 5 Cable Length of 370 ft. with Cable Length Compensation = 3. Another scenario shows a Cat 5 Cable Length of 250 ft. with Cable Length Compensation = 3. Both scenarios require an 18-volt power supply (PN 571-014).Connecting to an IR Network
The DuoDrive does not have an IR remote control system; it provides a discrete three-strand Cat 5 pathway for a third-party system. Connect an IR remote control system input to the Driver IR output stereo 3.5mm jack (see example diagram below). Connect an IR receiver to each wallplate/receiver and position them appropriately in the rooms. Do not connect any equipment to the vacant white RCA jacks marked “IR”.
Diagram illustrating the connection of a third-party IR remote control system to the DuoDrive. It shows two AV sources feeding into two 9871 Drivers. The IR Remote Control System connects to the Driver's IR output. Each 9871 Driver is connected to a 9879 Wallplate via Cat 5, Cat 5e, or Cat 6 cable. An IR Receiver is shown connected to the wallplate's front or rear IR jack, and an IR Remote is used to control the system. The diagram notes that IR remote control systems and receivers are not included and that a configuration of two 9871 Drivers can support four wallplates.IR Receiver Tips:
- Avoid IR interference from Plasma and LCD TVs, direct sunlight, fluorescent light, etc.
- Use Plasma-proof or LCD-proof receivers.
