StarTech 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH 4-Port 8K HDMI 2.1 Switch

Overview

The StarTech 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH is a four-input HDMI 2.1 switch designed for AV engineers, IT architects, and control room integrators who need full-bandwidth source switching without downgrading the signal path. With 48Gbps of total bandwidth and native support for 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 144Hz, this switch handles the full HDMI 2.1 specification — meaning you're not bottlenecking high-refresh-rate displays or next-gen workstation outputs by passing through an underpowered hub. The compact metal enclosure measures 5.4 × 2.4 × 0.6 inches and weighs under 6 ounces, so it disappears behind a display or into a rack shelf without consuming real estate.

If you're working through the HDMI switch selection process and evaluating bandwidth as a primary criterion, the 48Gbps throughput here is the specification that separates HDMI 2.1 products from the far more common 18Gbps HDMI 2.0 alternatives. That gap matters the moment a source pushes 8K content or a gaming monitor runs at 4K/144Hz.

Key Features

• 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth: Full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth means 8K@60Hz and 4K@144Hz pass through without compression or downscaling. If your source is a 4K/120Hz gaming console, a high-frame-rate medical imaging workstation, or an 8K editing system, this is the bandwidth floor you need — 18Gbps HDMI 2.0 switches will silently downclock that signal.
• 8K @ 60Hz and 4K @ 144Hz Resolution Support: Both resolution tiers are supported simultaneously across all four inputs, so you can mix source types freely. A 4K@144Hz gaming PC and an 8K camera feed can share the same switch without reconfiguring output settings each time you switch inputs.
• Four HDMI Inputs, One Output: Four source devices connect through a single output to your display or recorder. This matters in control rooms, broadcast booths, and AV integration projects where switching between multiple computers, players, or feeds without manual cable swapping is the baseline requirement.
• 7.1-Channel Audio Pass-Through: The 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH carries 7.1 discrete audio channels over HDMI — no audio breakout required. For home theater integrations or immersive AV control stations running Dolby Atmos or DTS:X sources, the audio bandwidth is preserved end-to-end through the switch.
• Universal AC Input (100–240V): The built-in power supply accepts 100–240V AC at 0.3A, producing a clean 5V DC / 1A output at 5W draw. That's wall-adapter territory for power consumption — no dedicated circuit planning needed, and it travels internationally without a step-down converter.
• Metal Construction: The all-metal enclosure handles the EMI shielding demands that plastic housings struggle with at 48Gbps. At this bandwidth, signal integrity is a real concern — metal helps keep crosstalk in check across all four inputs.
• Maximum Cable Distance of 16.4 ft (5m): Rated for source and display cables up to 5 meters. This is a short-haul switch — plan your rack or desk layout accordingly. If sources are farther than 5m from the switch, you'll need active HDMI cables or a signal extender upstream.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 70°C: Covers standard indoor environments — office, server room, control booth. Not rated for outdoor or uncontrolled-temperature enclosures. Storage range extends to -10°C / 80°C, so shipping in extreme climates won't damage the unit.
• Humidity Tolerance 5–90% RH (non-condensing): Suitable for most commercial indoor environments. Avoid installations in humid plant floors or unconditioned spaces where condensation is a risk.

Integration and Compatibility

As a passive HDMI 2.1 switch, the 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH integrates directly into any workflow that terminates in an HDMI 2.1-capable display or recording device. No drivers are required — connect sources and display, select the active input, and signal passes. For control room builds, this unit pairs naturally with KVM switches when keyboard and mouse control also needs to follow the source. In broadcast and video production environments, check that your capture card or recorder accepts HDMI 2.1 input at your target resolution — the switch will deliver the full signal, but downstream equipment must match.

For structured AV deployments requiring longer cable runs, evaluate active HDMI 2.1 cables rated for 48Gbps — standard passive cables at this bandwidth have distance limitations that are tighter than older HDMI standards. The 5m rating on this switch assumes quality HDMI 2.1 cable; lower-quality cables may introduce signal degradation below that distance.

Buyers building out display infrastructure alongside switching hardware may also find value in reviewing a HDMI switch selection guide that covers bandwidth tiers, audio pass-through formats, and active vs. passive switching architectures before specifying the full signal chain. For large-scale AV distribution beyond four inputs, consider a matrix switcher in the same product family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH support 4K at 120Hz for console gaming?

A: Yes. The switch supports 4K at both 120Hz and 144Hz, along with 8K at 60Hz, all within its 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth envelope. Standard 4K/120Hz console output passes through without any signal degradation.

Q: What is the warranty on the 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH?

A: StarTech covers this unit with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: Can I use this switch with cables longer than 5 meters?

A: The rated maximum cable distance is 16.4 ft (5m). Runs beyond that length risk signal integrity issues at 48Gbps — active HDMI 2.1 cables or a signal booster would be required for longer distances.

Q: Does the 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH pass 7.1 surround audio?

A: Yes. The switch supports 7.1-channel audio pass-through over HDMI, preserving high-channel audio formats from source to display without any breakout or conversion hardware.

Q: Does the switch require external power?

A: Yes. It requires a 100–240V AC connection and draws 5W. A power adapter is part of the product — the universal input range means it works on any standard outlet worldwide without a separate converter.

Q: Is this switch suitable for outdoor or industrial environments?

A: No. The operating temperature range is 0°C to 70°C with 5–90% RH humidity tolerance — it is designed for standard indoor commercial environments only.

Eden Phillips

The spec I keep coming back to on the 4PORT-8K-HDMI-SWITCH is the full 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth — not because 8K sources are ubiquitous yet, but because 4K/144Hz displays are showing up in control rooms and operator stations faster than most AV infrastructure has been updated to handle them. A switch that bottlenecks at 18Gbps will silently downclock those feeds, and operators rarely notice until someone checks the display settings and finds it running at 60Hz instead of 144Hz.

Technical Highlights:

• 48Gbps Throughput: Full HDMI 2.1 spec — supports 8K@60Hz and 4K@144Hz simultaneously across all four inputs with no signal compression or downscaling at the switch level.
• 7.1-Channel Audio: Passes discrete 7.1 audio end-to-end, eliminating the need for HDMI audio extractors in setups where the display or AV receiver handles decoding.
• 5W Power Draw: At 5W on a 100–240V universal input, this adds virtually nothing to a rack's power budget and requires no dedicated circuit or UPS capacity planning.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 5-meter cable distance limit is real and tighter than most installers expect from an HDMI product. Budget for active 48Gbps-rated HDMI cables if any source-to-switch run approaches or exceeds that distance — passive cables that worked fine at 18Gbps frequently fail at 48Gbps beyond 3 meters.
• The metal enclosure is an asset for EMI-sensitive environments, but the 0°C minimum operating temperature means this unit is not appropriate for cold storage facilities or unheated equipment rooms in northern climates.

This is the right unit for operator workstations, broadcast production booths, and high-refresh-rate gaming or simulation environments where four sources need to share a single 8K or 4K/144Hz display — and where installing a budget 18Gbps switch would mean reworking the installation when the display's full capability is eventually exercised.