Focus 3.2, User Manual

Page: 180 / 206

Troubleshooting
166
Preventing Cabling and
Connection Problems
The suggestions listed below provide basic tips for preventing or
minimizing problems related to cabling and connections to and
from the Firefly.
❏
Use the best cable you can afford.
❏
Use the shortest cables possible.
For composite video, PAL or NTSC, RG-59 cable can be
used for distances of up to 20 meters between the video
source and the acceptor. No signal deterioration should
show on the screen. For longer distances, up to 30 meters,
use RG-11 type cable. For s-video, standard, inexpensive
cables allow operating distances of 5-7 meters. Very little
deterioration is apparent. For component video, RG-59
cables are suitable for up to 10 meters. For longer distances,
up to 20-25 meters, a better cable should be used, such as
RG-11.
❏
Check that impedance of the cable really matches your
application. Firefly is terminated at 75 ohms.
❏
Check the connectors on the cables. Poor quality connectors
may have worse effects than the cables themselves.
❏
Use appropriate amplifiers if needed. Because Firefly-SC
uses unbalanced audio, it is recommended that distances
over 10 meters use a “Audio Line Amp/Balancer”, such as
Radio Design Labs “Stick On”.
❏
Keep cables away from sources of interference - electric
motors, main cables, transmitters, light dimmers, etc.