StarTech 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI 4K HDMI Extender Over Cat5e/Cat6

Overview

The StarTech 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI is a transmitter-and-receiver kit that pushes full 4K 60Hz HDMI signals up to 196.8 ft (60 m) over standard Cat5e or Cat6 infrastructure — eliminating the need to run costly long HDMI cables between source equipment and remote displays. If you are deploying digital signage, video walls, conference room AV, or control room displays at a distance from your source hardware, this extender pair handles the distance without dropping resolution or audio fidelity. The kit ships as a matched set, so you have both ends ready to commission immediately.

Key Features

• 4K 60Hz at 196.8 ft (60 m): Full 3840x2160 resolution at 60Hz over a single Cat5e or Cat6 run. That is the full native resolution of current 4K displays delivered without scaling or quality reduction — critical when signage or control room monitors need pixel-perfect output at distance.
• 7.1 Channel Audio Pass-Through: Carries up to 7.1 channel audio alongside the video signal, so you do not need a separate audio distribution run. Relevant for conference rooms, training environments, or command centers where surround or high-channel audio is part of the installation design.
• Cat5e/Cat6 Infrastructure Reuse: Works over the same structured cabling already deployed for IP networks, reducing installation cost significantly compared to pulling new HDMI or fiber. A single twisted-pair run between transmitter and receiver is all that is needed.
• USB Type-C Input on Transmitter: The transmitter accepts a USB Type-C connection alongside the HDMI input, expanding compatibility with laptops and modern source devices that output video via USB-C — no separate adapter required at the source end.
• Wide Operating Temperature Range (-20°C to 60°C): Rated for environments that swing from cold equipment rooms to warm industrial spaces. The -20°C lower bound means the extender continues operating in unheated spaces, utility closets, or outdoor-adjacent enclosures without risking damage.
• Compact Form Factor (2.6 x 1.4 x 0.8 in): At 177 g and smaller than a deck of cards, both transmitter and receiver can be surface-mounted, velcro-attached behind a display, or placed in a shallow equipment bay without consuming rack space.
• 10W Power Draw, 100–240V AC Input: The included power supply handles any global AC input (100–240V, 0.3A), outputting a clean 5V DC / 2A to the extender. Total system draw is 10W — low enough to connect to any standard outlet or UPS port without budget calculations.
• RJ-45 Link Connectors: Both transmitter and receiver use standard RJ-45 ports for the Cat5e/Cat6 run. Terminate with standard keystone or punch-down infrastructure — no proprietary connectors or special cabling prep needed.

Integration and Compatibility

The 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI (often searched as 4K50IC EXTEND HDMI) connects to any HDMI-capable source — media players, computers, Blu-ray hardware, AV matrix switchers, and signal processors — and delivers to any HDMI display. The USB Type-C input on the transmitter provides an alternative source connection for laptops and tablet docking scenarios. Since the link runs over standard Cat5e or Cat6, it integrates cleanly with existing cable plant, wall plates, and patch panels already in place. No drivers or software configuration are required; the extender operates as a transparent plug-and-play signal path. The 2-year manufacturer warranty covers both units in the kit.

For environments requiring video distribution to AV over IP endpoints or more complex switching architectures, consider pairing this extender with a compatible HDMI matrix switch at the transmitter end. For structured cabling guidance relevant to AV-over-twisted-pair deployments, the network cabling planning guide covers Cat5e versus Cat6 performance considerations that apply directly here. If your deployment includes digital signage at multiple remote locations, review the digital signage category for compatible display hardware and media players. StarTech's broader AV connectivity line includes switches, splitters, and converters that complement this extender in multi-room or multi-display installations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum cable distance supported by the 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI?

A: The 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI supports a maximum run of 196.8 ft (60 m) over Cat5e or Cat6 cabling at 4K 60Hz resolution. Exceeding this distance may result in signal degradation or loss.

Q: Does the 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI support 4K at 60Hz or only 30Hz?

A: It supports 3840x2160 at 60Hz — not just 30Hz. This is relevant when connecting to high-refresh displays or when source content runs at 60 frames per second.

Q: Can I use existing network Cat6 cabling in my building for this extender?

A: Yes, provided the run is dedicated to the extender signal. The 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI uses Cat5e or Cat6 between transmitter and receiver, but that run should not be shared with active network traffic — it is a point-to-point AV link, not a network connection.

Q: What audio formats does the 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI pass through?

A: The extender supports up to 7.1 channel audio, passing the audio embedded in the HDMI signal from source to display without a separate audio path.

Q: What is the warranty on the 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI?

A: StarTech provides a 2-year manufacturer warranty on the 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI, covering both the transmitter and receiver units included in the kit.

Q: Does the transmitter support USB Type-C video input as well as HDMI?

A: Yes. The transmitter includes one HDMI input and one USB Type-C input, giving you flexibility to connect laptops or other modern source devices that output video over USB-C without a separate adapter.

Karl Wilson

The spec that matters most on the 4K50IC-EXTEND-HDMI is the 60Hz refresh rate at full 3840x2160 — a lot of extenders in this price tier quietly drop to 4K 30Hz, which creates visible judder on motion-heavy content like live camera feeds, video walls cycling ads, or training video playback. The 60Hz delivery here is verified in the spec sheet and it makes a real difference in environments where the display quality reflects on the installation.

Technical Highlights:

• 4K 60Hz over 196.8 ft: Full 3840x2160 at 60 frames per second across a 60 m Cat5e or Cat6 run — no resolution step-down or refresh rate penalty at rated distance.
• 7.1 Channel Audio: Passes full 7.1 audio embedded in the HDMI stream, eliminating the need for a parallel analog or digital audio distribution run in rooms requiring surround or multi-channel output.
• USB Type-C Source Input: Transmitter accepts USB-C video in addition to HDMI, which matters in conference rooms and huddle spaces where presenters connect laptops directly — no dongle shelf needed at the transmitter location.

Deployment Considerations:

• The Cat5e/Cat6 run between transmitter and receiver must be a dedicated point-to-point link — do not patch it through an active network switch or patch panel shared with live network ports, or you risk signal interference or no signal at all.
• Operating temperature bottoms out at -20°C, which covers most unheated mechanical rooms and utility spaces, but if you are installing in a freezer corridor or outdoor enclosure that drops below that threshold, this unit is not rated for it.

This extender is well-suited for corporate boardrooms and training facilities where a rack-mounted media PC or AV processor lives in a central equipment room and the display is 100–180 ft away down a hallway — exactly the scenario where pulling a full HDMI cable is impractical and a Cat6 run is already terminated in the wall.