StarTech ST124HD202 1-to-4 HDMI 2.0 Splitter with 4K60 and 7.1 Audio

Overview

The StarTech ST124HD202 is a 1-in, 4-out HDMI 2.0 distribution amplifier that mirrors a single source signal across four displays simultaneously — same image, same audio, no degradation in resolution or timing. Built to the HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 standards, it handles 4K content at full 60Hz refresh with 18Gbps bandwidth, making it the right choice for command centers, digital signage walls, training rooms, and AV integration scenarios where a single source needs to reach multiple screens without a PC or media player at each display. If you've been dealing with resolution drops or HDCP handshake failures on cheaper splitters, the ST124HD202 is built around specs that address both problems directly.

Key Features

• HDMI 2.0 at 18Gbps: Full 18Gbps bandwidth means there's no compression or down-conversion of your source signal. A 4K60 feed from a UHD Blu-ray player, workstation GPU, or streaming appliance passes through at full fidelity to all four outputs — you won't see one display running 4K while others fall back to 1080p.
• 4096x2160 @ 60Hz: Native DCI 4K resolution support at 60 frames per second covers both consumer UHD (3840x2160) and digital cinema (4096x2160) sources. In practice, this means post-production suites or digital signage controllers pushing 4K content won't hit a ceiling on this splitter.
• HDCP 2.2 Compliance: HDCP 2.2 is the content protection standard required for 4K streaming services and UHD disc playback. All four outputs maintain HDCP 2.2 handshakes, so a 4K Netflix or Amazon stream from a compliant source won't drop to 1080p or trigger a protection error at the display.
• 4:4:4 Chroma Subsampling: Full 4:4:4 chroma means no color detail is discarded in the signal chain. For color-critical applications — broadcast monitoring, medical imaging secondary displays, or high-end retail product visualization — this matters more than most splitters acknowledge.
• 7.1 Surround Sound Pass-Through: Audio is carried intact from source to all four outputs at up to 7.1 surround. In training rooms or presentation environments using surround-capable AV receivers or soundbars, you won't need a separate audio distribution amp — the signal rides the HDMI cable all the way through.
• 5W Power Consumption: The ST124HD202 draws just 5W from its 100–240V AC adapter (auto-switching for international use), with a 5V/1A DC output stage. At that draw level, it adds negligible load to a rack power strip and generates minimal heat in enclosed AV rack environments.
• Steel Enclosure: The all-steel housing at 6.4 × 2.5 × 0.6 inches weighs 9.2 oz — compact enough to sit behind a display or on a rack shelf, rigid enough to handle the repeated cable connect/disconnect cycles typical in AV integration work without flexing the PCB.
• 16.4 ft (5m) Maximum Cable Length: The spec sheet rates cable runs to 5m on the output side for reliable signal integrity at 4K60. Beyond that distance at 18Gbps, signal degradation becomes a real risk — plan for active HDMI cables or an HDMI extender on longer runs.
• 0°C to 40°C Operating Range: Designed for conditioned indoor environments. Equipment rooms, control rooms, and standard office AV racks fall well within this range. Don't install in unventilated outdoor enclosures or unconditioned server rooms that run above 40°C.
• 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty: StarTech backs the ST124HD202 with a 2-year manufacturer warranty — relevant for integrators specifying equipment for multi-year AV installations who need documented coverage in their project submittals.

Integration and Compatibility

The ST124HD202 works with any HDMI 2.0-compliant source — workstations, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, media players, and streaming devices. All four output ports mirror the single input; this is a distribution splitter, not a matrix switch, so each display receives the same signal. For installations requiring independent content on each screen, a matrix switcher is the correct tool. On the display side, the outputs are compatible with any HDMI-equipped monitor, TV, or projector, including those limited to HDMI 1.4 — though the resolution and frame rate will be capped at the lowest-common-denominator display in that scenario. The 100–240V AC input range means the included power adapter works on US, European, and international power grids without a separate converter.

For longer cable runs beyond 5m, pair the ST124HD202 with active HDMI cables or HDMI signal extenders. For larger distribution needs — more than four outputs — consider daisy-chaining with compatible StarTech distribution amplifiers, though signal integrity testing at each stage is strongly recommended before finalizing a multi-stage design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the ST124HD202 support 4K at 60Hz on all four outputs simultaneously?

A: Yes. The ST124HD202 is rated for 4096x2160 at 60Hz with full 18Gbps HDMI 2.0 bandwidth. All four outputs mirror the source signal at full resolution and frame rate simultaneously, provided your source, cables, and displays are also HDMI 2.0-compliant.

Q: Is the ST124HD202 HDCP 2.2 compatible?

A: Yes. The splitter is certified to HDCP 2.2, which is required for 4K content playback from streaming services and UHD Blu-ray sources. All four output ports maintain the HDCP 2.2 handshake independently.

Q: What is the maximum cable length supported by the ST124HD202?

A: StarTech rates the ST124HD202 for cable runs up to 16.4 ft (5m) at 4K60 18Gbps. For longer distances, active HDMI cables or dedicated HDMI extenders are required to maintain signal integrity.

Q: Does the ST124HD202 pass audio to all four outputs?

A: Yes. The ST124HD202 supports up to 7.1 surround sound pass-through on all four HDMI outputs, so audio is distributed to every connected display or AV receiver simultaneously.

Q: Can the ST124HD202 function as a matrix switch — sending different content to different screens?

A: No. The ST124HD202 is a distribution splitter: it replicates a single input signal to all four outputs identically. For independent content routing to different displays, you need an HDMI matrix switcher.

Q: What is the warranty on the ST124HD202?

A: The ST124HD202 carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Ted Perry

The spec that defines the ST124HD202 for serious AV integration work is the 18Gbps HDMI 2.0 bandwidth — that's the full throughput ceiling of the HDMI 2.0 specification, and it's what separates this unit from the wave of budget splitters that advertise 4K support but throttle the signal path below the threshold needed for 60Hz at full chroma. I've seen too many installs where a cheap splitter accepts a 4K60 input and quietly outputs 4K30 or drops chroma to 4:2:0 on the back end. The ST124HD202 is rated for 4:4:4 at 4096x2160/60 — that's the spec that matters if your source is color-critical or your content is cinema-grade.

Technical Highlights:

• 18Gbps Full-Bandwidth Path: No signal compression across all four outputs — 4K60 in, 4K60 out on every port simultaneously without bandwidth-sharing artifacts.
• HDCP 2.2 on All Outputs: Each of the four output ports negotiates HDCP 2.2 independently, so a UHD streaming source won't trigger a protection error when one downstream display is slower to handshake.
• 5W Draw, Steel Housing: At 5 watts and 9.2 oz in a steel enclosure measuring 6.4 × 2.5 × 0.6 inches, this sits cleanly on a rack shelf or behind a display without heat management concerns in a properly ventilated room.

Deployment Considerations:

• Cable length is the hard constraint here: 16.4 ft (5m) is the rated maximum for 18Gbps signal integrity. In any installation where displays are more than 5m from the splitter, budget for active HDMI cables or signal extenders at each output — passive cables at that distance and bandwidth are a reliability risk.
• The 0°C to 40°C operating temperature means this unit is not rated for unventilated AV closets that run hot in summer. Verify rack ambient temperature before specifying it in a high-density equipment room.

The ST124HD202 is the right fit for a control room or training facility where a single 4K source — a workstation, a media server, or a UHD video conferencing endpoint — needs to feed four monitors with identical, full-fidelity output. The HDCP 2.2 compliance and full 4:4:4 chroma path make it a credible choice anywhere the downstream displays are color-graded monitors or 4K medical imaging secondaries where signal integrity is non-negotiable.