StarTech EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 4K HDMI Extender Over Cat6/Cat5

Overview

The StarTech EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 is a compact transmitter/receiver kit that carries a 4K 30Hz HDMI signal up to 130 feet (40 meters) over a single Cat6 cable — or stretches 1080p content up to 230 feet (70 meters) over the same infrastructure. If you are running digital signage in a large retail floor, presenting from a control room to a remote display wall, or distributing video across a conference center without routing HDMI cables through walls, this extender solves the distance problem without replacing your existing structured cabling. The EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 (often searched as EXTEND HDMI 4K40C6P1) fits that gap between short-run HDMI and full AV-over-IP systems — when you need more distance than a cable run allows but do not want to deploy a full IP distribution network.

Key Features

• 4K 30Hz at 130ft / 1080p at 230ft: At 4K you get 40 meters of reach — enough to cross most conference rooms, lobbies, or retail spaces. Drop to 1080p and the distance opens to 70 meters, which covers most single-floor structured cabling runs between a source room and a display area. Choose the resolution that matches your actual run length, not the other way around.
• 10.2 Gbps Bandwidth: The 10.2 Gbps data rate carries full 4:4:4 chroma subsampling — every color channel delivered at full resolution with no subsampling compression. For signage or presentations where color accuracy matters (brand graphics, medical imaging display, engineering visualizations), 4:4:4 means what you see at the source is what you see at the screen.
• 7.1 Channel Audio: Audio travels alongside video on the same Cat cable — no separate audio run needed. The 7.1 channel support handles even premium AV setups in boardrooms or auditoriums where surround sound is part of the installation.
• HDCP 1.4 Compliance: The extender passes HDCP 1.4 protected content, so streaming sticks, Blu-ray players, and cable boxes connected at the source will not trigger a handshake error at the display end. Verify your specific content source and display both support HDCP 1.4 — if either endpoint requires HDCP 2.2, this unit will not clear that handshake.
• Metal Housing with Bracket Mounting: The metal enclosure on both transmitter and receiver units handles the heat from continuous operation better than plastic alternatives and survives the knocks of active AV environments. The included mounting brackets let you attach units to furniture, walls, or rack panels rather than leaving them dangling behind displays.
• Universal AC Input (100–240V, 12V DC 1A Output): The included power supply accepts any mains voltage from 100 to 240V AC, so this kit travels internationally without an adapter. Output is a stable 12V DC at 1A — sized correctly for the 0.1W operational draw of the extender units themselves.
• 0°C to 40°C Operating Range: The extender is rated for standard indoor environments from 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) at 20–90% RH non-condensing. It is not designed for uncontrolled or outdoor spaces — install it in conditioned rooms, equipment closets, or AV racks where temperature is managed.
• RJ-45, HDMI, and 3.5mm Stereo Connectors: The transmitter side accepts an HDMI source and outputs to Cat5e/Cat6 via RJ-45. The 3.5mm stereo port provides an analog audio breakout option when needed. The receiver end mirrors this layout — plug in at the display side and you are done.

Integration and Compatibility

The EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 works over Cat5e or Cat6 unshielded twisted pair — the cable already in most commercial buildings for network runs. It does not consume a network switch port; the Cat run between transmitter and receiver is point-to-point and carries only the HDMI signal. That means zero network configuration, no IP addressing, and no latency from packet processing. For HDMI video extenders used in permanent installations, Cat6 is recommended over Cat5e to maintain signal headroom at the 4K distance limit. Use a continuous cable run rather than patched segments to avoid signal degradation at connectors. If you are integrating into a broader AV distribution system or considering structured cabling for multi-display environments, review the AV distribution category for switchers and splitters that pair with extenders like this one. For installations in larger facilities, explore network switches with dedicated patch panels to keep AV and data runs organized. The StarTech AV accessories line includes compatible HDMI cables, mounting hardware, and cable management products that complement this extender in permanent installs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What cable type does the EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 require, and does it use a network switch port?

A: The extender runs over Cat5e or Cat6 unshielded twisted pair via standard RJ-45 connectors. It is a point-to-point connection between the transmitter and receiver — no network switch is involved and no IP configuration is required.

Q: Can the EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 pass HDCP-protected content from a streaming device or Blu-ray player?

A: Yes, the unit supports HDCP 1.4. Content protected under HDCP 1.4 will pass through correctly. If your source or display requires HDCP 2.2 (common on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players and some streaming devices), this extender will not satisfy that handshake and the display will not show an image.

Q: What is the maximum 4K resolution and frame rate supported?

A: The EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 supports 4K at 30Hz up to 130 feet (40 meters) over Cat6. It does not support 4K at 60Hz. If your source outputs 4K 60Hz, you will need to configure it to output 4K 30Hz or 1080p for compatibility.

Q: What is the warranty on the EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1?

A: The EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: Does the extender support audio, and what formats does it carry?

A: Yes. The EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 carries up to 7.1 channel audio over the same Cat cable as the video signal. A 3.5mm stereo analog audio port is also provided for breakout connections at either end.

Q: Can this unit be used in an outdoor equipment enclosure or uncontrolled environment?

A: No. The operating temperature range is 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) and humidity is rated for 20–90% RH non-condensing. The unit is designed for conditioned indoor spaces only — equipment closets, AV racks, and climate-controlled rooms.

James Everett

The detail I keep coming back to on the EXTEND-HDMI-4K40C6P1 is the 4:4:4 chroma subsampling at 10.2 Gbps — that is the full HDMI 1.4 bandwidth envelope, and it means this unit is not quietly degrading color fidelity the way some cheaper extenders do when they quietly drop to 4:2:0 to make the distance. What you are getting here is the full color signal at 130 feet.

Technical Highlights:

• Dual Distance Modes: 40m at 4K 30Hz or 70m at 1080p — you can spec the cable run to either resolution requirement. Most single-floor commercial runs fall under 70m, so 1080p deployments have significant headroom without needing fiber or active repeaters.
• 7.1 Channel Audio on One Cable: Eliminating the separate audio run is not just convenient — in a finished ceiling install, fishing a second cable after the fact costs real labor money. One Cat6 run handles everything.
• 0.1W Power Draw: Both units pull a combined 0.1W in operation. Thermal load in a crowded AV rack is essentially zero, which matters when you are stacking multiple extenders in a multi-display signage cabinet.

Deployment Considerations:

• Use a continuous Cat6 run — avoid patch panel hops between transmitter and receiver at 4K distances. Every connector is a potential impedance discontinuity, and at 40m you have no margin to spare.
• HDCP 1.4 only — verify your 4K content source before specifying this unit in a 4K playback environment. 4K Blu-ray and many streaming sticks require HDCP 2.2 and will produce a black screen rather than an image through this extender.

This unit fits cleanly in a boardroom or training room install where a single presenter source needs to drive a remote display at the back of a long room — the kind of fixed, conditioned-space run where Cat6 is already in the walls and you need plug-and-play extension without configuring an IP network.