The comprehensive Gefen Video/Audio/Data signal extender line covers all of the most popular signal types and extension mediums:

– Audio/Video: HDMI, DVI, VGA, DisplayPort™, and Digital Audio (Coaxial and Optical)

– Data: USB, IR, and RS-232

– Mediums: Category Cable, Fiber Optic, Wireless, and IP

One of the most popular and widely used formats in Pro/Commercial installations is HDMI, due to its wide adoption in the consumer side of the industry and major support from manufacturers of A/V devices. As the HDMI 2.0 version of the standard becomes more widely adopted, Gefen is ready with extenders that meet the demands of HDMI 2.0 and its full 18 Gbps bandwidth capability.

This page will help you learn more about selecting the right extension solutions for your projects.

 

Selecting an HDMI Extender

The first step is to understand which HDMI version will be used in the installation. This determines the available extension mediums.

Available extension mediums for <10.2 Gbps HDMI 2.0 (e.g. 4K Ultra HD @ 50/60 Hz 8-bit 4:4:4 or HDR with 4K Ultra HD @ 24 Hz 10/12-bit 4:4:4):

  • Category Cable (HDBaseT™), Fiber Optic, and IP (Up to 4K Ultra HD @ 50/60 Hz 8-bit 4:2:0 or HDR with 4K Ultra HD @ 24 Hz 10-bit 4:4:4)

Available extension mediums for >10.2 Gbps HDMI 2.0 or earlier HDMI versions (e.g. 1080p @ 50/60 Hz 8/10/12-bit 4:4:4 and 4K Ultra HD @ 50/60 Hz 8-bit 4:2:0):

  • Category Cable (HDBaseT™), Fiber Optic, IP, and Wireless

 

Extension Medium

Next, the extension medium is determined by the application along with the distance requirement and the availability of existing or new cabling.

If the extension distance is over 100 meters (~330 ft.): IP and Fiber Optic based extension is recommended.

If the extension distance is under 100 meters (~330 ft.): Category Cable, Fiber Optic, or IP is recommended.

If the extension distance is under 30 meters (~100 ft.): ALL extension mediums are available.

 

The Application

The application will also help determine which medium is best suited for an installation. Some examples are:

IP extension

For installations that require a large number of HDMI sources and displays (e.g. corporate workstation management or large quantity video matrixing), or wish to use an existing or new network infrastructure.

Wireless

For installations where cabling is either not available or cannot easily be installed (e.g. conference or boardrooms with ceiling projectors), or where quick/ temporary/ mobile connections are required (e.g. events and conference rooms).

Fiber Optic

For installations where the extension medium will be installed in a location that experiences high electrical interference or requires electrical isolation (e.g. medical applications).

Category Cable

For most common point-to-point installations, where extension distances are <100 meters and where Category Cable either exists or can be installed (e.g. residential, corporate, hospitality, education, etc.):

 

Products

Category Cable

Category Cable (proprietary usage) is the most ubiquitous and deployed extension medium, and Gefen solutions feature HDBaseT™ technology that is capable of more than just HDMI extension capabilities over a single CAT5e/CAT6 cable. Products that use HDBaseT™ are divided into 2 branches typically identified by their differences in distance/feature performance.

Standard:  Longest available distance Category Cable extension with premium features.

HDMI 2.0 and below up to 18 Gbps (80 meters)

  • GTB-UHD600-HBT – HDMI, RS-232, IR, and Bi-Directional Power extension

HDMI 2.0 and below up to 10.2 Gbps (100 meters)

  • EXT-UHDA-HBT2 – HDMI, Ethernet, Separate audio (analog and digital), RS-232, IR, and Bi-Directional Power extension with link monitoring
  • GTB-UHD-HBT – HDMI, RS-232, IR, and Bi-Directional Power extension
  • EXT-UHD-CAT5-ELRPOL – HDMI, Ethernet, RS-232, IR, and Bi-Directional Power extension
  • EXT-HDKVM-ELR – HDMI and USB 2.0

Lite:  Shorter distance Category Cable extension with excellent features.

HDMI 2.0 and below up to 18 Gbps (40 meters)

HDMI 2.0 and below up to 10.2 Gbps (70 meters)

  • EXT-UHDV-WP-HBTLS-TX – HDMI/VGA (Auto-switched/manual), RS-232, and Power (RX → TX) extension
  • EXT-UHDV-HBTLS-TX – HDMI and VGA, RS-232, IR, and Bi-Directional Power extension
  • GTB-UHD-HBTL – HDMI, IR, and Bi-Directional Power extension

Fiber Optic

Fiber Optic cabling has been used for decades and is praised for its long-distance capabilities and will neither create or be affected by electrical interference. Advances in fiber core material and tools have made it easier than ever to install and terminate connections in the field, closing the gap in regards to ease-of-installation when compared to category cabling.

Mutli-mode Fiber Optic (OM3/OM4 rated) HDMI 2.0 up to 18 Gbps (200 meters)

AV over IP

Extension over an IP network, which also utilizes Category Cable and is commonly referred to as AV over IP, transmits signals using network-based TCP/IP packets and can be used in environments where this networking infrastructure exists or can be installed. By adhering to widely deployed and recognized standards in the networking world, this type of extension technology can easily be leveraging by IT professionals worldwide. This packetized method of transmitting signals allows for capabilities that go beyond just extension and allows for AV format conversion and a high degree of scalability.

 CAT5e/CAT6/CAT7 (1 Gbps Full Duplex per device)

HDMI 2.0 and below up to 10.2 Gbps (100 meters between each hop)

  • EXT-UHD-LANS-TX – HDMI, Separate audio (analog), RS-232, and Serial sender
  • EXT-UHD-LANS-RX – HDMI, Separate audio (analog), RS-232, and Serial receiver
  • EXT-UHDKA-LANS-TX – HDMI, Separate audio (analog), USB 2.0, RS-232, and Serial sender
  • EXT-UHDKA-LANS-RX – HDMI, Separate audio (analog), USB 2.0, RS-232, and Serial receiver
  • EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-TX – HDMI/VGA (manual switched), Separate audio (analog), USB 2.0, RS-232, and Serial sender
  • EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-RX – HDMI/VGA (manual switched), Separate audio (analog), USB 2.0, RS-232, and Serial receiver

HDMI 1.4 and below up to 5.81 Gbps (100 meters between each hop)

Wireless

Wireless technology is able to transmit signals over a distance without the use of cables of other physical mediums. Similar to wireless networking equipment, this extension technology is limited to the available unlicensed bands that have been specifically designated in every region of the world. Utilizing the 5.8 Ghz and 60 Ghz unlicensed bands, uncompressed HDMI can be transmitted in most situations. As the RF spectrum becomes saturated by more and more devices that compete for the same channel space, care must be taken when installing wireless equipment to avoid interference with adjacent signals to reach the maximum level of performance.

Today, the 60 GHz band enjoys less competition in the RF spectrum from competing devices, while its frequency relegates applications to in-room only, giving it the advantage over the saturated 5.8 GHz band in terms of signal isolation and competing devices.

5.8 Ghz band (Auto-channel selection)

HDMI 1.4 and below up to 4.46 Gbps (up to 30 meters)

60 Ghz band (Auto-channel selection)

HDMI 1.4 and below up to 4.46 Gbps (up to 10 meters)

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