Table of Contents
- What is an HDMI Extender?
- What Does an HDMI Extender Do?
- How Does an HDMI Extender Work?
- How to Use an HDMI Extender?
- What Are the Benefits of Using an HDMI Extender?
- What Are the Types of HDMI Extender?
- Where Can You Use an HDMI Extender?
- About AV Access
TV and DVD players are connected through cables for transmitting audio/video signals. You may have used S video cables, composite audio/video cables or component cables for HDTV. All these cables transmit audio/video signals in the format of analog, while HDMI cable transmits the signals in digital format so that there’s no need of converting into analog signal at the ends.
An HDMI extender won’t let you miss any detail in your high-definition picture. Extenders are usually connected at the ends of HDMI cables, and they can be used to connect two HDMI cables to create a longer HDMI extension. These extenders function by regenerating the digital audio and high-definition video they obtain from the device source.
What is an HDMI Extender?
HDMI extenders are used to extend the distance between a high-definition TV and a digital sending device. If you take a look at the back of your high-definition TV set, you can find a connection port resembling a USB port. This is where HDMI cable connects to the HDTV and other components such as set-top box and a satellite receiver.
What Does an HDMI Extender Do?
An HDMI extender is used to transfer the digital video signal from the source to the high-definition TV. If the cable you use is only a few feet long, it means you have to disconnect and connect the device again you choose for viewing. When you want to watch high-definition video on a TV in another room, you need to consider using an HDMI extender to extend the distance.
How Does an HDMI Extender Work?
An HDMI extender is usually composed of a transmitter and a receiver. With the help of a CATx cable or optical fiber cable, the transmitter and the receiver can work together to extend an HDMI signal, along with audio, IR, power, RS232, etc. Besides, some of the extenders can transmit HDMI signal wirelessly, with a built-in antenna each on the transmitter and the receiver. Once you connect your HDMI source and display device respectively to the transmitter/receiver end, long-distance HDMI signal transmission is finally achieved. IP extension is an another way to extend your HDMI signal over long distances. The HDMI over IP technology is adaptable, future-proof, and allows you the choice of using either CATx or fiber optic cabling, depending on how far you want to go and which communications need to be conveyed. With the help of an Ethernet switch, you can extend your HDMI signal much farther.How to Use an HDMI Extender?
Since we have discussed what an HDMI extender does and how it works, you may still wonder how to use an HDMI extender. Typically, you can follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Connect an HDMI signal source like DVD, STB, NVR, or computer to the HDMI transmitter.
- Step 2: Use a Cat 5e/6/6a/7 cable to connect the transmitter to the receiver. Most HDMI extenders nowadays are built with an Ethernet port both on the transmitter and the receiver.
- Step 3: Connect the HDMI display (such as TV, monitor, or projector) to the receiver.
Please note that some HDMI extenders transmit via fiber or wirelessly, then they need to be connected via a fiber cable or Wi-Fi antenna. Some extenders can work with an Ethernet switch, so you need to connect both the transmitter and the receiver to the switch via Cat cables.
Here is a one-to-one connection diagram for your reference.
What Are the Benefits of Using an HDMI Extender?
The major benefit is that it allows you to extend distance between devices. For example, when you want to view a film using a blue ray DVD player on the TV in another room where you are not able to do it, you can use an HDMI extender with flexible cables to make this connection possible.
You can also use a splitter extender for watching the HDMI source on several TVs. There’s no need of using swapping devices. With an HDMI extender, you can easily connect devices over a long distance between devices.
When it comes to buying an extender, you need to ensure the extender is HDCP certified. It is recommended to buy the HDMI extension solution from a reputable company with good customer support. If you are tired of disconnecting and reconnecting the devices to watch a high-definition movie on your TV, you can go with CAT5 HDMI extension.
What Are the Types of HDMI Extender?
There are different types of HDMI extender available for various applications. According to the maximum video resolution it transmits, HDMI extender can be mainly divided into three kinds:
- 720P HDMI Extender
- 1080P HDMI Extender
- 4K HDMI Extender
According to different mediums of transmission, HDMI extender can be divided into five kinds:
- HDMI Balun over CATx Cable
- HDMI over HDBaseT Extender
- HDMI over Fiber Extender
- HDMI over IP Extender
- Wireless HDMI Extender
These are different kinds of HDMI extenders used in different applications. Active HDMI cables utilize electronics within to boost the signal and allow for HDMI cables of up to 30m/98ft; those based on HDBaseT can extend up to 100m/330ft; HDMI extenders that are based on dual CAT 5/CAT 6 cable can extend HDMI up to 250m/820ft; while HDMI extenders based on optical fiber can extend HDMI up to 300m/1000ft.
Where Can You Use an HDMI Extender?
What is an HDMI extender used for exactly? An HDMI Extender can be widely used in home theater, game room, sports bar, retail store, classroom, conference room, house of worship, etc. An HDMI signal is usually extended with USB signals for KVM extension in a military command center, video surveillance center, broadcasting, transportation, etc. This kind of device is called “KVM extender”.
Some of the typical applications are as follows:
- Home Theater: You can transmit a 4K ultra HD HDMI signal from your equipment room in the basement to a large TV in the living room upstairs. If you also need to return audio from the TV to your AV system at a long distance, HDMI extenders with ARC & eARC ensure you enjoy the sharpest image and finest audio at each side.
- Bars & Restaurants: You can transmit a 4K HDMI signal from your control room to the large TV in front of the tables, extending digital menu or advertising video to the digital signage inside or outside. An HDMI extender ensure your patrons enjoy the best screen viewing experience possible.
- Shopping Mall & Retail Store: You can transmit a 4K HDMI signal from your equipment room to the advertising display devices anywhere in your shops, extending promotion video to the digital signage inside or outside the mall. An HDMI extender allow you to promote your brand and boost business with superior video and sound.
About AV Access
AV Access is an experienced, professional manufacturer of professional AV and AV over IP products. And we offer quality KVM extenders, HDMI extenders, AV over IP solutions, and more.
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