The EV4K2006 in action
In the world of AV over IP there are still needs for HDMI extenders. In classrooms, sending a computer or media player video signal to the projector is typically easier to do with category cable instead of fishing an HDMI cable through the wall. Home installs can use an extender for overflow or long distance runs for single video signals.
We were sent the Vanco 4K HDMI Extender (EV4K2006) to try out in the studio. Below you can watch the video of the setup. Here are our thoughts.
The equipment AVNation provided was a Sharp HD display, MacBook pro, HDMI cables, and Cat5 cable.
Ease of setup. As you can see in the video, the setup on this product is minimal. The two-way POE (power over ethernet) means you can supply electricity to either the transmitter or the receiver. Their POE technology is a Vanco patented technology. Out of box, you receive a transmitter, receiver, and one power supply. It’s up to you which side to power. From out of the box until we were receiving a signal to the monitor was five minutes. Understanding, this setup was in our office and we ran the cable over the floor. In most installs, though, your cable will either already be run before you take this out of the box or it will be part of the process.
We tried both a static as well as video content. Both looked quite good. After switching some settings on the computer we watched for audio sync issues. There were no audio issues we could witness.
The EV4K2006 comes equipped with IR transmitters and receivers. In a residential installation this could be used to remotely control either the media player and/or the display. The 3.5mm connectors make them easy to setup. The IR systems simply passes through the signal.
Overall the EV4K2006 is a solid product that does what it says and is
incredibly simple to setup. The extender is compliant up to HDCP 2.2 and will
reproduce up to 4K signals a max of 50 meters, though we only tested HD at 10
meters.The technology is an EP chipset, no HDBaseT. It would be great to see
the product line develop a distribution amplifier for this system and they are
apparently in development of such a DA. It would also be a nice addition to
have wallplates with either the transmitter and/or receiver technology built in
for the commercial space.
Four out of Five stars. Definitely would buy and use in an installation.
Tim Albright is the founder of AVNation and is the driving force behind the AVNation network. He carries the InfoComm CTS, a B.S. from Greenville College and is pursuing an M.S. in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. When not steering the AVNation ship, Tim has spent his career designing systems for churches both large and small, Fortune 500 companies, and education facilities.