Aimed at systems integrators looking for flexible, high performance signal extension, Gefen announced that it is now shipping its models GTB-UHD600-HBT and GTB-UHD600-HBTL, two new 4K Ultra HD extenders that can extend full bandwidth HDMI 2.0 over widely used Category cabling.
“For corporate, hospitality, retail, education, medical, and any other vertical markets in which content requires extension beyond standard cable limitations, these new 4K Ultra HD extenders address one of the most significant issues that commercial installers face, and that is the extension of full bandwidth HDMI 2.0 over Category cabling – the most widely used extension medium,” comments Gefen product manager Jason Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald contends that HDBaseT’s bandwidth extension limitations frequently prevent the use of the highest 4K video resolution standards and desired HDMI 2.0 specification features like HDR and 4:4:4 Chroma Subsampling at 60 MHz.
“Other signal management products such as splitters, switchers, and matrices already fully support HDMI 2.0. Unfortunately, Category cable-based extension products have not kept pace with signal standard innovation,” he continues. “Extension is one of the most common requirements in the AV industry. Integrators need a product that can extend the full capabilities of HDMI 2.0 while using Category cable as the medium.”
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Per a Gefen press release, "The GTB-UHD600-HBT and GTB-UHD600-HBTL help overcome the bandwidth limitations of HDBaseT. The new 4K extenders employ Gefen’s proprietary compression technology to extend the full 18.2 Gbps bandwidth and 600 MHz TMDS clock of HDMI 2.0, in resolutions up to 4096 x2160 at 60Hz and 4:4:4 Chroma subsampling.
“This new compression technology ensures excellent image reproduction and strikes an exceptional balance between quality and cost,” Fitzgerald says.
The new extenders are capable of 4K Ultra HD 60 Hz 4:4:4 (600 MHz) extension. The GTB-UHD600-HBT has an extension range up to 80 meters at 4K and 100 meters at 1080p, while the GTB-UHD600-HBTL is rated up to 40 meters at 4K and 60 meters at 1080p.
Integral features of HDMI 2.0, such as HDR-10 and Dolby Vision, are also carried along the single CAT-5 or CAT-6 cable that links the sender and receiver units. Both products are capable of extending 2-way IR. The GTB-UHD600-HBT also supports RS-232 extension for seamless integration of control signals.
Gefen’s priopertary Bi-Directional POL (Power over Link) sends power from Sender to Receiver or Receiver to Sender over the link cable, offering the maximum level of flexibility in choosing how each unit is powered. Additionally, integration with Gefen’s Syner-G software allows for easy firmware updates.