StarTech 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI 4K 60Hz HDMI Extender over Cat5e/6

Overview

The StarTech 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI is a zero-latency HDMI extender that pushes full 4K 60Hz (4:4:4) video and 7.1-channel audio up to 230 feet (70 meters) over a single Cat5e UTP cable or better. If you're connecting a media server to a boardroom display, routing a 4K source to a digital signage screen on the far end of a warehouse, or distributing video to a monitoring station that can't be co-located with the source, this is the kit that removes cabling limitations without any perceptible delay. The 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI (often searched as 4K70IC EXTEND HDMI) eliminates the compromises — no color subsampling, no dropped frames, no sync drift — that plague lesser extenders at this distance.

Key Features

• 4K 60Hz at 4:4:4 chroma: Full-bandwidth 3840×2160 at 60 frames per second with no chroma subsampling means every pixel is fully resolved — critical for medical imaging displays, broadcast monitoring, or any application where color fidelity at 4K actually matters, not just raw resolution.
• Zero-latency signal extension: No frame buffering means what the source outputs is what the display renders, with no perceptible delay. In control rooms or live monitoring environments, sync between multiple displays is predictable and immediate.
• 230ft (70m) range over Cat5e UTP: A single Cat5e unshielded cable carries the full signal — no proprietary cabling, no fiber conversion required. If your facility already has structured Cat6 runs in place, you're using infrastructure you already own.
• 7.1-channel audio pass-through: Full 7.1 surround audio travels with the video signal on the same cable. No separate audio runs needed, and you won't be downmixing to stereo at the display end — relevant for conference rooms, training facilities, or entertainment environments where audio quality is part of the spec.
• Wide operating temperature (-20°C to 60°C): The unit handles environments from freezing loading docks to warm equipment closets without derating. That -20°C floor means it's usable in unheated utility spaces or outdoor enclosures that see winter temperatures.
• 8kV air / 6kV contact ESD protection: Built-in ESD clamping protects the extender and connected equipment from electrostatic discharge — a real concern in carpeted office environments or dry industrial spaces where static buildup is common. This level of protection reduces the risk of damaged ports killing an installed run.
• Ultra-low power draw (0.1W): The extender draws just 0.1W in operation. In a rack with dozens of AV devices, that's effectively zero contribution to heat load or power budget — and the included 12V DC / 1A adapter has a wide-range input (100–240V AC, 0.3A) so it works anywhere in the world without a voltage converter.
• Compact footprint (4.2 × 3.9 × 1.0 in): At 7.4 oz and roughly the size of a paperback, both the transmitter and receiver units can be tucked behind a display, inside a cable chase, or mounted in a shallow AV rack shelf without consuming meaningful rack space.

Integration and Compatibility

The 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI is designed around standard structured cabling — Cat5e UTP is the minimum, and Cat6 or Cat6A will provide headroom for longer consistent performance in electrically noisy environments. The extender handles HDMI signals natively, so any HDMI source (4K media players, PCs, Blu-ray transports, AV switchers) and any HDMI-equipped display works without adapters or driver installation. The zero-latency architecture also means the extender is transparent to HDCP-protected content workflows — the signal chain from source to display remains intact without breaking handshakes. For HDMI extenders and AV distribution solutions across your facility, this StarTech extender integrates cleanly into both new installations and retrofit projects where HDMI runs need to span building zones. Pair it with a structured AV distribution framework or a matrix switcher upstream if you need one-to-many distribution from the same source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum resolution and frame rate supported by the 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI?

A: The 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI supports 3840×2160 (4K UHD) at 60Hz with full 4:4:4 chroma sampling — no color subsampling or resolution scaling at the stated maximum distance of 230ft (70m) over Cat5e UTP or better.

Q: Does the 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI introduce any latency?

A: No. This extender is designed for zero-latency operation. There is no frame buffering, so the display receives the signal with no perceptible delay relative to the source — an important characteristic for control room monitors, live event displays, and any multi-screen synchronization application.

Q: What cable type is required to achieve the full 230ft (70m) range?

A: Cat5e UTP (unshielded twisted pair) is the minimum specified cable. Cat6 or Cat6A will also work and may provide better performance in electrically noisy environments. Shielded (STP/FTP) cable is not required but can be used.

Q: Does the 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI support audio?

A: Yes. The extender passes 7.1-channel audio alongside the video signal over the same Cat5e or better cable run — no separate audio cabling is required.

Q: What is the warranty on the 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI?

A: StarTech covers the 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: Can this extender operate in cold environments such as unheated utility spaces?

A: Yes. The rated operating temperature range is -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F), which covers most unheated indoor spaces and enclosed outdoor enclosures in temperate climates.

Jerry Tildsen

The spec I keep coming back to on the 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI is the combination of zero latency and full 4:4:4 chroma at 4K 60Hz over 70 meters. Most HDMI extenders in this distance class either drop to 4:2:0 at 4K or add latency to compensate — this one doesn't compromise on either, which matters significantly when the display end is a monitoring wall or color-critical workstation rather than a conference room TV.

Technical Highlights:

• 4:4:4 chroma at 60Hz: Full color sampling is preserved across the full 70m run — not just at shorter distances. This is the differentiator for broadcast, medical display, and post-production workflows where 4:2:0 subsampling is unacceptable.
• 8kV air ESD protection: The built-in ESD clamping handles 8kV air discharge and 6kV contact — meaningful protection in dry industrial environments or facilities with poor grounding, where unprotected extenders tend to fail within months of installation.
• 0.1W power consumption: The extender barely registers on a power audit. Combined with the 100–240V AC input on the supply, it's a genuinely global-compatible, thermally neutral device — relevant for dense AV racks where heat management is a real concern.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 70m range is rated for Cat5e UTP minimum — in environments with significant electromagnetic interference (near motors, VFDs, or heavy electrical equipment), step up to shielded Cat6A and keep runs away from power conduit to preserve signal integrity at the full distance.
• Storage temperature is rated to -30°C, but the operating floor is -20°C. Don't install this in a location that dips below -20°C during operation — staging in cold storage areas that aren't climate-controlled could push against that limit in harsh winter conditions.

The 4K70IC-EXTEND-HDMI is the right fit for permanent AV infrastructure runs in corporate campuses, hospital imaging distribution, or industrial control rooms where structured Cat cabling is already in place and the display cannot be co-located with the source. It's not a switcher, it's not a splitter — it's a point-to-point extension solution that does exactly one thing reliably at full 4K quality.