ATEN True 4K HDMI Over IP Extender Receiver with POE - VE8962R

ATEN VE8962R True 4K HDMI Over IP Extender Receiver

Overview

The ATEN VE8962R is the receiver unit in ATEN's VE8962 True 4K HDMI over IP extension system, designed for AV integrators and IT architects who need to distribute full-bandwidth 4096x2160 or 3840x2160 video at 60Hz with 4:4:4 chroma sampling across standard Cat5e or Cat6 infrastructure. At up to 100 meters point-to-point — and with approximately one-frame latency — it handles live production feeds, digital signage walls, and command-center displays where timing and color fidelity matter. PoE+ (802.3at) eliminates the need for a local power outlet at every endpoint, simplifying cable runs in ceiling and wall installations. The VE8962R pairs with the VE8962T transmitter and is managed through ATEN's LCM interface via three front-panel push buttons, keeping configuration accessible without a laptop on the rack.

Key Features

• True 4K at 100m over Cat5e/6: Delivers 4096x2160 and 3840x2160 at 60Hz with 4:4:4 chroma — this is uncompromised color depth, not a downsampled 4:2:0 signal. For post-production monitors, surgical displays, or high-end boardrooms where color accuracy is a requirement, the distinction matters. Verify your Cat5e/6 run is within 100m and terminated cleanly; performance degrades on poorly punched-down keystones.
• Optimized JPEG2000 + Proprietary Codec: ATEN's compression engine keeps bandwidth manageable over IP infrastructure while preserving near-lossless image quality. Unlike raw HDMI over fiber (which demands dedicated cabling), this approach lets you route video through existing managed switches, enabling scalable matrix distributions beyond simple point-to-point.
• ~1-Frame Latency: At approximately one frame of end-to-end delay, the VE8962R is suitable for interactive applications — presenter clicker response, control-room operator workflows, and video-conferencing displays — where multi-frame buffer lag from other IP video systems introduces perceptible desync.
• PoE+ (802.3at) Powered: Draws power directly from the RJ-45 port on a PoE+ switch, eliminating a local DC adapter at each receiver. On a 24-port PoE+ switch deployment, this simplifies cable management substantially. The unit also accepts a locking DC jack as a fallback power source if your switch budget is PoE (802.3af) only — confirm your switch supports 802.3at before relying solely on network power.
• HDMI + Stereo Audio Output: The output section provides one HDMI Type A female connector and one 3.5mm mini stereo jack female (green), letting you route audio independently to a room amplifier or DSP processor without breaking out a separate audio matrix. Useful in conference rooms where the display and audio system are on different circuits.
• Contact Input Terminal Block: A 2-pole terminal block (Contact IN + GND) enables integration with external trigger devices — door sensors, occupancy sensors, or control system relays — for automated display wake/sleep or input switching without additional control hardware.
• Broad Input Resolution Support: Accepts signals from 800x600 at 56–75Hz through 1920x1080i at 50/60Hz and 1280x1024 at 60/75Hz, covering legacy analog-source converters, older KVM outputs, and mixed-generation AV equipment in the same infrastructure.
• Compact Form Factor: At 17.02 x 14.69 x 3.00 cm (with bracket) and 1.63 lb, the VE8962R mounts behind displays or inside shallow wall boxes without demanding dedicated rack space at the endpoint.

Integration & Compatibility

The VE8962R operates as the receive endpoint in ATEN's VE8962 IP extension ecosystem. For point-to-point runs, connect transmitter to receiver directly over a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable to 100m. For matrix distribution — routing multiple sources to multiple displays — the receivers connect through a managed AV over IP network infrastructure managed by ATEN's control software. The contact input terminal block connects to building automation or control systems, enabling room-level automation. Firmware version v1.1.106 (released 2026-04-15) is the current production release; upgrade via the ATEN management interface. The three front-panel push buttons handle LCM (LCD Control Module) operations for on-device configuration without requiring a connected PC. Review the ATEN AV extender line for transmitter, matrix switch, and management software components that complete the system. For large-scale digital signage or command center builds, pair with a managed AV switch with sufficient PoE+ budget — budget at least the rated 802.3at draw per receiver port. Operating humidity is rated 0–80% RH non-condensing; avoid direct condensation environments such as loading docks or uncontrolled warehouse spaces without additional enclosure protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What cable type is required to achieve 4K@60Hz at 100 meters?

A: Cat5e or Cat6 in a point-to-point run. The 100m distance rating applies to point-to-point configurations; performance over patch panels with multiple connection points may vary. Ensure all terminations are properly punched down and tested.

Q: Does the VE8962R require a separate power supply?

A: No separate power supply is required if your switch provides PoE+ (802.3at). The unit also has a locking DC jack for installations where PoE+ is unavailable. Standard PoE (802.3af) is not sufficient — confirm 802.3at capability on your switch.

Q: Can the VE8962R be used in a matrix switching configuration, or only point-to-point?

A: The VE8962R is designed to work within ATEN's IP-based extension system. Point-to-point operation connects directly to the VE8962T transmitter. For matrix configurations routing multiple sources to multiple displays, the system connects through a managed network switch with ATEN's management software.

Q: What is the latency of the VE8962R?

A: Approximately one frame end-to-end, making it suitable for interactive applications, presenter-driven environments, and control room displays where multi-frame delay is perceptible.

Q: What audio outputs does the VE8962R provide?

A: The receiver provides both HDMI audio output (carried on the HDMI Type A port) and an independent 3.5mm mini stereo jack (green) for routing audio to a separate amplifier or DSP system.

Q: What is the current firmware version for the VE8962R?

A: The current production firmware is v1.1.106, released 2026-04-15. Firmware upgrades are available through the ATEN management interface.

Karl Wilson

The detail that matters most on the VE8962R is the 4:4:4 chroma subsampling at 4K@60Hz — that is full color resolution at every pixel, not the 4:2:0 chroma reduction you get from many competing IP extenders that market "4K support" but quietly downsample color. For surgical suites, color-critical broadcast monitors, or command centers running analytics overlays that depend on sharp color delineation, this distinction is the reason to specify this unit over a cheaper alternative.

Technical Highlights:

• 4K 4:4:4 at 60Hz over Cat5e/6: Full 4096x2160 or 3840x2160 at 60Hz with no chroma subsampling — confirmed in the ATEN spec sheet. At 100m on a clean Cat5e/6 run, this is the ceiling of what the HDMI 2.0 signal contains.
• ~1-Frame Latency: Approximately one frame of end-to-end delay is the published figure, which puts this unit in the same category as HDBaseT solutions for interactive use cases. Multi-frame latency from buffer-heavy IP encoders is a real problem on presenter-driven displays; this avoids it.
• PoE+ (802.3at) with DC Fallback: The locking DC jack is not just a convenience — it is a genuine fallback for installations where 802.3at switch budget runs short. Budget 802.3at wattage per port when designing the switch layer; standard 802.3af will not power the unit.

Deployment Considerations:

• Point-to-point distance is rated at 100m on Cat5e/6 — factor in patch panel hops and keystone connections, which each introduce insertion loss. On long runs, use field-tested cable and verify with a cable certifier before commissioning.
• The contact input terminal block (2-pole, Contact IN + GND) is easy to overlook but valuable: it enables external trigger integration for display automation without a dedicated control processor. Wire it to an occupancy sensor or door contact to drive display power states in unoccupied rooms.

The VE8962R is the right specification for university lecture halls, broadcast production facilities, and hospital command centers where 4K 4:4:4 fidelity is non-negotiable and the Cat5e/6 infrastructure is already in the walls — avoiding a fiber pull while delivering uncompromised color.