HDMI over UTP extender

Would you like to also watch TV in your bedroom, loft or cellar, but you don't have a separate TV connection here? Then you are looking for a way to transmit HDMI from A to B.

An HDMI cable is often used for HDMI transmission. But did you know that a UTP cable is also perfectly suited for this? It even offers advantages over an HDMI cable.

The use of a UTP cable is an interesting alternative and is also widely used in professional installations.

What is a UTP cable?

A UTP cable is also known as an internet cable, network cable or Ethernet cable. These terms are used interchangeably, but there is no difference between them. A UTP cable is used to connect a modem (router) to a computer, television or game console.

Different types of UTP cable

There are different types of UTP cable: CAT6, 720p, Cat6a, CAT7. The higher the number, the faster the cable transmits data. Currently, CAT6 is the most common UTP cable and is suitable for setting up your home network. All our products are suitable for use with CAT5e cables or higher. Do check beforehand how far you actually want to extend a cable.

RJ45 connector

A UTP cable has an RJ45 connector and is never directly plugged into a TV or AV equipment.

You have to put a product in between. In your home, this will often be a modem/router. For HDMI transmission, a UTP cable with an RJ45 connector is used to connect an HDMI transmitter and HDMI receiver.

How does an HDMI extender over UTP work?

The set always consists of an HDMI transmitter and an HDMI receiver. The HDMI transmitter is connected to your TV set (or other HDMI source) using an HDMI cable. The HDMI receiver is connected to your (2nd) television using an HDMI cable. The HDMI transmitter and HDMI receiver are then connected to each other using a UTP cable.

In this way, you can easily extend the HDMI signal from a TV decoder over a UTP cable to, for example, the bedroom. In the bedroom, you no longer need a separate TV connection. With our products, you can extend HDMI signals up to 120 metres.

What to look for when buying a HDMI over UTP extender?

There are several features that determine which HDMI over UTP/Ethernet extender is right for you:

1. Resolution to be sent
2. Range
3. Video bandwidth
4. IR return feature
5. Built-in splitter
6. Ability to connect multiple receivers
7. Ability to add to existing LAN/computer network

1.     Resolution to be sent

Most of our products support 1080p. Should you require 4K, please choose the MegaView 251 Pro. If you have a 4K TV decoder but your (2nd) television is 1080p, an HDMI extender that supports 1080p is sufficient. If you want to be future-ready, it is advisable to consider an HDMI extender that supports 4K.

2.     Range

Our MegaView series extends HDMI to up to 120 metres. The distance also depends on which video resolution needs to be transmitted and which UTP cable you use. A CAT6 cable extends an HDMI signal over a greater distance than a CAT5e cable.

3.     Video bandwidth

Make sure that the data rate of the MegaView product matches your requirements. The greater the video bandwidth, the more data is transmitted within a given time. The video bandwidth transmitted by our MegaView series ranges from a minimum of 4.95 to a maximum of 18 Gbps. For example, if you want to send 4K & HDR, you need 18 Gbps.

4.     Operating equipment remotely (IR return feature)

If you have the HDMI transmitter connected to a TV decoder in the living room and the HDMI receiver in your bedroom, you obviously do not want to keep walking downstairs to change channels.  

A built-in IR return function in the HDMI receiver offers a solution. It sends the signal from a remote control back to a TV decoder. This way, your TV decoder can be controlled remotely.

Buy a universal or additional remote control for your TV decoder. This prevents you having to take your remote upstairs/downstairs with you all the time.

It is almost always advisable to choose an HDMI extender over UTP/Ethernet that has an IR return function.

• MegaView 251 Pro
• MegaView 67 Pro
• MegaView 91

5.     Built-in splitter

On many HDMI extenders, you connect one HDMI source to the HDMI transmitter. The image and sound are transmitted to a TV at a different location. If you just want to watch TV on your TV near the HDMI transmitter, you first have to change the cabling.

If you do not want this, then choose an HDMI extender with a built-in splitter. This built-in splitter enables you to simultaneously watch the same film or series at two locations in the home, and you don't have to switch cables if you want to watch football alternately in the living room and in your bedroom.

• MegaView 251 Pro
• MegaView 91
• MegaView 76
• MegaView 67 Pro

6.     Connect multiple receivers

Do you want to connect a television to one TV decoder at multiple locations in your home? This is possible with the MegaView 90 and 91. With these two products, you connect multiple HDMI receivers to one HDMI transmitter and thus receive an image from one HDMI source on multiple displays.

For each additional display you want to connect, you need an additional HDMI receiver.  HDMI receivers are sold separately. There is no need to buy a completely new set.  You connect multiple HDMI receivers to one HDMI transmitter.

Please note that you will see the same image on every display. It is therefore not possible to watch different programmes, films or series on different displays at the same time.

• MegaView 90 & MVRX90 – additional receiver MegaView 90
• MegaView 91 & MVRX91 – additional receiver MegaView 91
   

7.     Add to existing LAN/computer network

If you want to extend an HDMI signal over a UTP cable, often, it should not have any other signals using it. For example, it should not be connected to your router. With the MegaView 90 and 91, you avoid this problem. These products can simply be used in combination with your existing home network (LAN), including routers and switches.

• MegaView 90
• MegaView 91

Operating a PC remotely

It is also possible to operate your PC remotely. This is very easy to do with a MegaView 76 with KVM. Connect a mouse and keyboard with USB to the HDMI receiver and connect your PC to the HDMI transmitter.

Playing games in the loft on a computer that is located in the study is now possible.

MegaView 76

Other points to consider

• 3D - supports 3D display from your television/decoder
• HDR - perfect colour quality - intense whites and deep blacks
• PoC - no additional power cable is needed to power the HDMI receiver - saves on wall sockets

The MegaView 91 is our most versatile MegaView product and is therefore very popular with our customers. Do you want to be ready for the future? Then go for the MegaView 251 Pro.

For a detailed overview of the functionality per product, click here.

HDMI wireless

Would you like even more flexibility in where to place your (2nd) TV, or do you want to avoid cables altogether? We have various wireless solutions in our range. Do you want to transmit 4K HDMI wirelessly or do you need coverage throughout the house? It’s all possible. Please check our HDMI extender wireless offer here.

TIP: the TV Anywhere Wireless 4K works all the time, no cables are needed and it offers coverage throughout your home. Are you looking for a wireless HDMI solution that allows you to connect multiple screens? Then take a look at the TV Anywhere Wireless 4K Pro. It's plug & play! It's plug and play!

Specialist for 25 years

We have more than 25 years of experience in audio and video transmission. We offer a very comprehensive and reliable range of HDMI extenders over UTP/Ethernet. Our products are tested extensively and meet all applicable quality requirements.