StarTech SV565FXHD4KU 4K HDMI KVM Extender Over Fiber

Overview

The StarTech SV565FXHD4KU is a fiber-based KVM extender that pushes uncompressed 4K @ 60Hz 4:4:4 HDMI video plus USB keyboard and mouse control up to 984 feet (300 meters) over multi-mode OM3 fiber — a practical answer for broadcast control rooms, secure server-room deployments, and industrial workstations where you need to keep the compute hardware locked in one location and the operator console somewhere else entirely. If you've ever tried running 4K over long HDMI cables and watched the signal fall apart past 15 feet, fiber is the architecture that actually solves the problem at this resolution.

The unit operates over IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-SR fiber links using SFP+ slots on both the host and console units, which means you're running on the same physical-layer standard used in enterprise data centers — not a proprietary optical scheme that becomes a sourcing headache in two years. Both units are housed in a compact metal enclosure (3.9 × 3.0 × 1.1 in) that sits unobtrusively on a desk or can be integrated into a rack-adjacent shelf. Total system weight is 1.1 lb per unit, so mounting options are flexible. For related extension and connectivity solutions, browse the KVM switches and extenders category.

Key Features

• 4K @ 60Hz 4:4:4 over 300m fiber: Full-bandwidth 4K at 60 frames per second with no chroma subsampling — meaning color accuracy is preserved pixel-for-pixel at the console end. Over OM3 multi-mode fiber, you get this at distances up to 984 ft, which covers most campus-building scenarios without touching single-mode fiber costs.
• HDMI 2.0 on the host side: The host connector is a standard HDMI 2.0 female port, so it plugs directly into any modern workstation GPU, server video output, or media player without adapters. No DisplayPort-to-HDMI conversion step to introduce latency or compatibility issues.
• 10GBASE-SR SFP+ fiber link: Both the host and console units carry an SFP+ slot conforming to IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-SR — the same standard your network team already knows. If your facility already has OM3 fiber infrastructure, you may be able to use existing runs, which cuts installation cost significantly.
• 7.1 channel HDMI audio pass-through: Full 7.1 surround audio travels with the video signal over the fiber link, so broadcast monitoring stations and high-fidelity control room audio setups don't need a separate audio distribution system for the extended display.
• USB 1.1 KVM on the console unit: Three USB Type-A ports on the console unit carry keyboard and mouse signals back to the host, giving operators full HID control from up to 300m away. USB 1.1 covers all standard HID peripherals — keyboards, mice, presentation clickers — but note it is not designed for high-bandwidth USB devices like storage drives or webcams at this distance.
• Single-monitor, single-PC architecture: The SV565FXHD4KU is a 1-PC, 1-monitor extender — not a matrix switch or multi-display system. It does one thing cleanly: extend a single workstation's display and HID control over fiber. If you need to switch between multiple sources, you'll want to pair it with a dedicated KVM switch on the host side.
• AC-powered with universal input voltage: Both units draw power from included AC adapters rated 100–240V input, 5V DC / 2A output, with a maximum system draw of 10W. Universal voltage input means no step-down transformer needed in international deployments or facilities with mixed power infrastructure.
• Metal construction, 0–50°C operating range: The all-metal housing handles 0°C to 50°C operating temperatures with up to 80% non-condensing humidity — appropriate for climate-controlled server rooms, broadcast facilities, and light industrial control environments. It is not rated for outdoor use or harsh industrial extremes.

Integration & Compatibility

On the host side, the SV565FXHD4KU connects to any system with an HDMI 2.0 output and available USB ports — workstations, servers with dedicated display outputs, embedded systems, or media servers. The SFP+ slots accept standard OM3 multi-mode SFP+ transceivers (10GBASE-SR), which are widely available from multiple vendors. At the console end, you connect an HDMI 2.0 display and USB HID peripherals. There is no driver software required for the video or KVM functions — the unit operates transparently at the hardware level, which simplifies deployment in locked-down or air-gapped environments.

For facilities already running structured fiber cabling, this extender slots into existing fiber optic cable infrastructure without pulling new copper. The 10GBASE-SR standard supports OM3 fiber up to 300m and OM4 fiber up to 400m — if your runs exceed 300m, verify your fiber type before purchasing. This product is well-suited for pairing with server rack accessories when building out a remote operator console in a dedicated rack room.

Consult a KVM extender selection guide if you are evaluating fiber vs. CAT6 extender options for your specific distance and resolution requirements — the right choice depends on your existing cabling infrastructure and whether you need HDBaseT compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What fiber type does the SV565FXHD4KU require?

A: The SV565FXHD4KU is rated for multi-mode OM3 fiber up to 300m (984 ft) using 10GBASE-SR SFP+ transceivers. OM4 fiber will also work and may extend the usable distance beyond 300m, but 300m is the manufacturer-specified maximum for this unit.

Q: Does the SV565FXHD4KU support 4K at 60Hz without chroma subsampling?

A: Yes. The unit supports 4K @ 60Hz at full 4:4:4 chroma — no subsampling, meaning color fidelity is preserved completely at the console display. This is the full HDMI 2.0 bandwidth specification.

Q: Can I use the USB ports on the console unit for flash drives or other storage devices?

A: The three USB Type-A ports on the console unit operate at USB 1.1 speeds, which is designed for HID devices (keyboards, mice) only. USB 1.1 does not provide sufficient bandwidth for storage devices, webcams, or other high-speed USB peripherals.

Q: What is the warranty on the SV565FXHD4KU?

A: StarTech provides a 2-year manufacturer warranty on the SV565FXHD4KU.

Q: Does the SV565FXHD4KU require special drivers or software?

A: No driver software is required. The unit operates transparently at the hardware level for both video extension and USB HID control, which simplifies use in air-gapped or locked-down environments where software installations are restricted.

Q: Can the SV565FXHD4KU be used in a multi-source KVM switching setup?

A: The SV565FXHD4KU is a 1-PC, 1-monitor point-to-point extender. It does not include built-in KVM switching between multiple sources. To switch between multiple computers, install a KVM switch on the host side and connect one of its outputs to the SV565FXHD4KU host unit.

Karl Wilson

The spec that defines where the SV565FXHD4KU belongs in a deployment is the 10GBASE-SR SFP+ fiber link — running 4K @ 60Hz 4:4:4 requires real bandwidth, and using an industry-standard 10G optical interface means you're not locked into proprietary optics or a single-source transceiver. On a project where the operator console has to sit 200m away from the compute hardware in a secure server room, this unit handles the job cleanly without any signal degradation you'd see on copper at that distance.

Technical Highlights:

• 300m OM3 fiber reach: 984 ft over multi-mode OM3 at full 4K 60Hz — covers most single-building campus runs without stepping up to single-mode fiber and its associated transceiver costs.
• 4K 4:4:4 @ 60Hz: No chroma subsampling at any point in the chain. For color-critical work like broadcast monitoring, medical imaging review, or video production, this is the spec that distinguishes this extender from 4:2:0 products at lower price points.
• 10W total system draw: Both host and console units together draw 10W maximum from universal 100–240V AC adapters — negligible impact on facility power budgets, and no specialized power infrastructure needed.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify your installed fiber is OM3 or OM4 multi-mode before ordering — single-mode fiber is not compatible with 10GBASE-SR transceivers, and mixing fiber types is the most common installation error on these deployments.
• USB 1.1 on the console unit is strictly for HID peripherals. If the operator needs to connect a USB audio interface, webcam, or any USB 2.0/3.0 device at the console end, this extender will not support it — plan for a separate USB 2.0 extender or a different product architecture.

The SV565FXHD4KU is the right fit for a broadcast master control room or a financial trading floor where workstations live in a locked equipment room and operators sit at remote consoles — environments where 4:4:4 color accuracy and sub-millisecond latency matter more than USB peripheral flexibility.