A Z-Band Balun, also referred to as a Z-Balun is a required component of the Z-TV systems. This device is located at the endpoint to receive an RF signal over a a category cable coming off of a Z-Distribution unit and it can be connected to a TV, a Set-Top Box or a PC with a tuner card via its coaxial port.
These Z-Baluns are powered by the Z-Distribution unit using the same category cable which is used for RF. These are impedance matching devices which also self adjust the RF signal by sensing the cable distances from the Z-Distribution unit and applying the necessary signal conditioning. Just like with the Z-Distribution units, there have been many iterations of Z-Band baluns. The Z-Balun product line were formerly known as Z-Band GigaBOBs. The next set of pictures illustrate the compatibility of various Z-Band baluns with each of the Z-Distribution units along with the supported feature set for each of the Z-Band balun iterations.
Z-Distribution ZHC is compatible with all the iterations of Z-Band Baluns except for the original passive GigaBOB*
Z-REG is also compatible with all the iterations of Z-Band Baluns except for the Original GigaBOB
GigaBUD 1000 is compatible with all iterations of the Z-Band Baluns except for the Original GigaBOB
GigaBUD HD860 is compatible with all iterations of the Z-Band Baluns except for the Original GigaBOB
The original GigaBUD can only be used with the original passive GigaBOB.* If you currently have an EOL original GigaBUD system and wish to add/upgrade to the latest Z-Distribution system, special care needs to be taken to not connect the original GigaBOBs to the newer Z-distribution units to avoid any possible electrical damage to the units.