StarTech 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI 4-Port HDMI Extender and Splitter over Cat6

Overview

The StarTech 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI solves a problem that trips up nearly every AV and digital signage deployment: getting full-resolution 4K 60Hz video to multiple displays without running HDMI cables that cap out at 15–20 feet. This 1x4 extender and splitter sends a single HDMI source to four independent outputs simultaneously over standard Cat6 UTP cabling, reaching up to 230 feet (70 meters) per run — a distance that covers most conference rooms, lobbies, warehouse floors, and retail environments without any signal degradation. If you're managing an AV distribution project, a digital signage network, or a video wall deployment where the source and displays are on opposite ends of a building, the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI (often searched as 4K7014IC EXTEND HDMI) is the device worth evaluating first.

The transmitter unit connects to your HDMI source at the rack or AV head-end. Each of the four receiver units connects at the display end via Cat6 UTP — the same structured cabling already pulled in most commercial buildings. No proprietary cable, no fiber, no active HDMI repeaters daisy-chained together.

Key Features

• 4K 60Hz over Cat6 to 230ft (70m): Maintains full 4K 60Hz resolution across all four outputs at distances up to 70 meters. This matters in real deployments — many competing units drop to 4K 30Hz or reduce resolution beyond 40m. At 70m, you can reach from a server room to a display on the far side of a large open-plan floor on a single Cat6 run.
• 1x4 Simultaneous Split: All four outputs carry the same signal simultaneously, not sequentially. This is the correct architecture for digital signage walls, training rooms with four screens, or operations centers where every display must stay in sync. There is no switching or multiplexing involved — all outputs are live at all times.
• 2-Channel Audio Pass-Through: Carries 2-channel audio embedded in the HDMI signal to all four receivers. If your source outputs stereo audio over HDMI, that audio reaches every display without a separate audio distribution amplifier. For basic signage or presentation audio, this removes a line item from your BOM.
• Cat6 UTP Cabling: Runs over standard unshielded Cat6 — no STP, no fiber, no special cable purchase required. In buildings where Cat6 is already installed to display locations, this extender simply uses existing infrastructure. Confirm cabling is Cat6 (not Cat5e) to hit the full 70m spec; Cat5e may reduce maximum reliable distance.
• Included 12V DC / 2.0A Power Supply: The AC adapter accepts 100–240V input, making it compatible with US, EU, and international power without a separate transformer. At 24W total system draw, this is a low-overhead device from a power budget standpoint. The transmitter is powered centrally; verify whether receiver units draw power from the Cat6 run or require local power at the display end before finalizing your installation plan.
• Compact Transmitter Footprint: At 7.1 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches and 13.2 oz (375g), the transmitter unit fits in a 1U rack shelf or sits flat in a rack cabinet without consuming a full rack unit. For deployments where rack space is tight — broadcast racks, millwork AV enclosures, under-desk installs — this form factor is genuinely practical.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 50°C: Rated for standard indoor commercial environments. This is not a unit designed for unheated warehouses, loading docks, or outdoor enclosures — if your head-end space drops below 0°C in winter, factor that in. For climate-controlled server rooms and AV racks, the 0–50°C range covers normal operating conditions without issue.
• 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty: StarTech backs the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI with a 2-year manufacturer warranty, which is above average for active AV distribution hardware in this class.

Integration and Compatibility

The 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI is designed for any HDMI source — media players, computers, cable boxes, NVRs with HDMI output, or dedicated signage players. On the display side, any HDMI-equipped monitor, TV, or commercial display receiving the signal from the receiver unit will work. Because the device operates as a transparent HDMI extender (not a converter or scaler), HDCP-compliant sources and displays should be accounted for in your source selection — confirm HDCP compatibility between your specific source and displays if content protection is a factor.

For structured cabling runs, use Cat6 UTP terminated with standard RJ-45 connectors. Avoid patch cables with excessive connector resistance; use quality-terminated field cable or certified pre-made patch runs. Runs with multiple patch panel pass-throughs may see effective distance reduction — direct home-runs from transmitter to receiver are the most reliable configuration for hitting the full 70m spec.

In digital signage networks, pair the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI with a dedicated 4K media player or signage appliance at the head-end and commercial-grade 4K displays at each endpoint. For surveillance and security monitoring use cases where an NVR or video wall controller outputs HDMI, this extender distributes the live view signal to remote monitoring stations without requiring a dedicated PC at each station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What cable type does the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI require, and does it work with existing Cat5e runs?

A: The 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI is specified for Cat6 UTP. Cat5e may work at shorter distances but is not rated for the full 70m (230ft) spec. For guaranteed performance at maximum distance, Cat6 is required.

Q: Does the unit support 4K 60Hz on all four outputs simultaneously, or only one at a time?

A: All four outputs run simultaneously at 4K 60Hz. This is a 1x4 splitter configuration — the signal is distributed to all four receivers at the same time, not switched between them.

Q: Is audio included in the extension, or is a separate audio distribution system needed?

A: The 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI passes 2-channel audio embedded in the HDMI signal to all four outputs. If your source outputs stereo audio over HDMI, it will reach all four display endpoints without a separate audio system.

Q: What power supply is included, and is it compatible with international installations?

A: An AC adapter is included, rated for 100–240V AC input and 12V DC / 2.0A output. This covers US and international voltages natively — no separate transformer needed for international deployments.

Q: What is the warranty on the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI?

A: StarTech provides a 2-year manufacturer warranty on the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI.

Q: Can the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI be used in an unheated warehouse or outdoor enclosure?

A: No. The operating temperature range is 0°C to 50°C, which covers conditioned indoor environments only. Unheated spaces that drop below 0°C in winter are outside the rated operating range.

Ted Perry

The spec that drives most purchasing decisions on the 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI is the 70-meter Cat6 reach at full 4K 60Hz — and it's worth taking seriously. Most passive HDMI cable runs fail at 25–30 feet at 4K; active HDMI repeaters add cost and failure points. Extending over Cat6 to 230 feet while simultaneously splitting to four displays is a genuinely different architecture, and it's the right one for environments where the signal source and the display locations are far apart.

Technical Highlights:

• 70m / 230ft Cat6 Range at 4K 60Hz: Full resolution is maintained at maximum distance — not a stepped-down 4K 30Hz mode that some competing units fall back to past 40m. This is the spec to verify against competing products before purchase.
• 24W System Power Draw: The included 12V DC / 2.0A adapter handles the full system load. At 24W total, this won't stress a standard outlet or UPS circuit — relevant when you're managing power budgets in a dense AV rack.
• 2-Channel Embedded Audio: Stereo audio rides the same Cat6 run as video, delivered to all four receivers. For deployments where audio matters at the display end, this eliminates a parallel audio distribution run and the associated hardware cost.

Deployment Considerations:

• Use direct home-run Cat6 pulls from the transmitter to each receiver rather than routing through multiple patch panels. Each panel connection adds insertion loss that can degrade signal integrity near the 70m limit.
• The 0°C lower operating temperature limit rules out unheated equipment rooms, loading dock enclosures, or any space that goes below freezing seasonally — plan the head-end location accordingly.

The 4K7014IC-EXTEND-HDMI is the right device for a controlled-environment digital signage or operations center deployment where a single 4K source — a media player, a video wall controller, or an NVR HDMI output — needs to drive four remote displays across a building on existing Cat6 infrastructure, without pulling new HDMI cable or adding a PC at each endpoint.