StarTech ST122HD202 1-Input 2-Output 4K HDMI Splitter

Overview

The StarTech ST122HD202 is a compact 1-in/2-out HDMI splitter built for commercial environments where a single 4K source — a media player, presentation PC, digital signage controller, or security workstation — needs to feed two displays simultaneously with the same image and audio. At 18Gbps bandwidth and support for 4096x2160 resolution at 60Hz, this unit doesn't force you to step down from 4K60 to push signal to a second screen. Both outputs carry identical content, so what you see on one monitor is exactly what appears on the other, with no perceptible delay between them.

The steel housing keeps the ST122HD202 at 5.5 oz — light enough to zip-tie behind a monitor or velcro to a rack shelf — while the commercial-grade build tolerates the 0°C to 40°C operating range typical of server rooms, control centers, and AV equipment closets. A universal 100–240V AC input means international deployments don't require a step-down transformer.

Key Features

• 18Gbps Transmission Bandwidth: Full 18Gbps throughput means 4K@60Hz with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling passes without compression artifacts. If your downstream displays are HDR-capable, the pipeline can carry it — no bandwidth bottleneck forcing a downgrade to 4:2:0 or 30Hz.
• 4096x2160 @ 60Hz Maximum Resolution: DCI 4K at 60 frames per second is the ceiling — not a marketing claim about a lower 4K mode. This matters for digital signage, broadcast monitoring, or presentation systems where frame rate consistency is visible to the audience.
• 4:4:4 Chroma Subsampling: Full chroma resolution at every pixel. Color-critical work — medical imaging review, broadcast grade-checking, or signage with tight brand color requirements — doesn't suffer the color smearing that 4:2:0 introduces at subsampled chroma rates.
• HDCP 2.2 Compliance: Both outputs are HDCP 2.2 authenticated, so protected content from streaming devices, Blu-ray players, and cable boxes passes without handshake failures. If you're distributing content from a protected source to dual displays in a hospitality or conference room deployment, this is the spec that prevents the black screen.
• 7.1 Surround Sound Audio: Audio passes at up to 7.1 channel surround — meaning if the destination displays or receivers support it, you're not stripping audio down to stereo at the splitter. Control rooms, conference rooms with ceiling speaker arrays, or immersive presentation setups retain full audio fidelity through the split.
• Maximum Cable Length — 16.4 ft (5m): Rated cable runs up to 5 meters on the input side. Plan your source-to-splitter distance accordingly; if the source is further away, budget for an active HDMI extender upstream — the splitter itself is passive on the cable length side.
• 5W Power Consumption: The wall adapter draws from 100–240V AC and outputs 5VDC at 1A — a 5W load. This is low enough that it won't stress a UPS or PDU port allocation in a rack environment, and the universal input voltage means the same unit ships internationally without a swap.
• Steel Housing: Unlike plastic-shell consumer splitters that flex when cables are plugged in, the steel enclosure holds port alignment under repeated connection cycles — relevant in AV rental, event production, or any environment where the unit is moved and reconnected regularly.
• Compact Form Factor — 3.9 x 2.2 x 0.6 in: At under an inch tall and roughly the footprint of a deck of cards, the ST122HD202 fits behind displays, inside AV credenzas, or on a shelf bracket without consuming rack space. For permanent installations, it's easily concealed.

Integration and Compatibility

The ST122HD202 connects to any HDMI 2.0 source and delivers signal to any two HDMI-capable displays. Because it supports HDCP 2.2, it is compatible with sources that enforce content protection — including streaming sticks, cable/satellite receivers, and 4K Blu-ray players. Both output ports mirror the source; there is no switching, scaling, or display-priority logic — both screens receive the same signal simultaneously.

For AV-over-IP or HDMI extension deployments, position the splitter close to the source and run HDMI extenders downstream from each output port if displays are beyond the 5m cable run limit. In digital signage installations, pair with a dedicated media player or signage controller on the input and drive dual landscape or portrait displays from a single content output. Integrators building conference room AV systems will find the HDCP 2.2 support and 7.1 audio passthrough particularly useful when the source is a laptop or UC device outputting protected content.

This unit does not upscale or downscale — if the source outputs 1080p, both displays receive 1080p. For environments where displays are mismatched in native resolution, consider whether a scaler is needed upstream or downstream of the splitter. Review AV signal distribution planning resources if you're designing a multi-zone layout beyond two screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the ST122HD202 support 4K at 60Hz on both outputs simultaneously?

A: Yes. The ST122HD202 passes 4096x2160 at 60Hz with full 4:4:4 chroma subsampling across its 18Gbps bandwidth — both output ports carry the full-resolution signal at the same time.

Q: Will the ST122HD202 work with HDCP-protected content from streaming devices or Blu-ray players?

A: Yes. Both output ports support HDCP 2.2, which is the current standard for 4K protected content. As long as the downstream displays are also HDCP 2.2 compliant, protected content will pass without handshake errors.

Q: What is the maximum HDMI cable length supported?

A: The rated maximum cable length is 16.4 feet (5 meters). For runs beyond that, use an active HDMI cable or HDMI extender upstream of the splitter input.

Q: Does the ST122HD202 pass audio, and what formats are supported?

A: Yes, audio passes through to both outputs. The unit supports up to 7.1 surround sound — no audio stripping or downmixing occurs at the splitter level, provided the source and destination devices support the same audio format.

Q: What power supply does the ST122HD202 use, and is it compatible with international voltages?

A: The included power adapter accepts 100–240V AC input and outputs 5V DC at 1A. It's compatible with international mains voltage without a step-down transformer — useful for deployments outside North America.

Q: What is the warranty on the ST122HD202?

A: The ST122HD202 carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Ted Perry

The spec that matters most on the ST122HD202 is the 18Gbps transmission bandwidth — that's the full HDMI 2.0 ceiling, which means you're not artificially constrained to 4:2:0 chroma or 30Hz when splitting to two screens. I've seen cheaper splitters advertised as '4K capable' that quietly drop to 4096x2160@30Hz or 4:2:0 the moment you run both outputs. This unit is rated for 60Hz at full 4:4:4 on both ports simultaneously, which is the only configuration worth specifying if your source content was graded or produced at that level.

Technical Highlights:

• 18Gbps Full Bandwidth: No compression or chroma downgrade at the splitter — 4K60 4:4:4 passes intact to both outputs, preserving color accuracy for signage and broadcast monitoring applications.
• HDCP 2.2 on Both Outputs: Both downstream ports authenticate independently, so protected content from streaming hardware or 4K Blu-ray doesn't black out even when two HDCP 2.2 displays are connected simultaneously.
• 7.1 Audio Passthrough: Audio is not stripped or downmixed at the splitter — full multichannel audio travels to both outputs, keeping the signal chain clean for conference rooms or control centers with surround-capable receivers.

Deployment Considerations:

• Keep the source-to-splitter HDMI run within the 5-meter (16.4 ft) rated limit. Beyond that, signal integrity degrades — use an active HDMI cable or upstream extender if the source is recessed in a rack further than 5m from the unit's install point.
• The ST122HD202 mirrors — it does not scale or switch. If your two destination displays have different native resolutions, the source output resolution governs what both screens receive. Mismatched display resolutions may result in one screen upscaling or showing black bars depending on the display's scaler behavior.

For dual-monitor control room workstations, digital signage pairs, or conference room setups where a single presenter laptop drives two front-of-room screens, the ST122HD202 is a clean, low-overhead solution — provided cable runs stay within 5 meters and both displays are HDCP 2.2 capable.