StarTech.com Multi-Input HDBaseT Extender with Built-in Switch

Experience professional-grade versatility with StarTech.com's Multi-Input HDBaseT Extender with Built-in Switch. This advanced device unifies DisplayPort, VGA, and HDMI sources and transmits them over a single CAT5e or CAT6 cable to a remote display or projector. Designed for modern classrooms, conference rooms, digital signage, and collaboration spaces, it delivers crisp, reliable video at distance while keeping installation clean and straightforward. The built-in switch eliminates the need for an additional video router, enabling quick source selection and streamlined workflows. Whether you’re delivering a high-impact presentation, streaming instructional content, or running expansive signage networks, this extender provides the performance, flexibility, and simplicity your environment demands.

• Versatile multi-input switching — Manage DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA sources through a built-in switch, enabling seamless source selection from a single device. This eliminates the need for separate switchers or complex routing gear, reducing clutter and simplifying setup in meeting rooms, classrooms, and huddle spaces. The intuitive switching capability supports fast transitions between presenters, media players, and instructional devices, keeping your content flowing without interruption.
• HDBaseT engineering for unified transmission — Take advantage of HDBaseT technology to carry video, audio, power, and control signals over a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable. This consolidated approach minimizes cabling, simplifies installation, and preserves signal integrity across distances, making it ideal for rooms where source placement and display alignment require flexible routing. The system is designed to be robust in typical corporate, education, and retail environments where dependable performance matters.
• 4K-ready visuals with dependable color fidelity — Deliver high-resolution content with support for up to 4K video, ensuring sharp detail and vibrant color reproduction on contemporary displays. The extender maintains image quality over long runs, enabling clear presentations, precise graphics in dashboards, and compelling digital signage. With broad compatibility across DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA, you can push modern content without sacrificing compatibility with legacy devices.
• Long-distance performance over standard network cabling — Transmit signals up to 230 feet (70 meters) over Cat5e or Cat6 cabling, making it suitable for large classrooms, auditoriums, conference suites, and multi-room installations. This impressive reach helps you position your video sources away from the display, minimizing interference and optimizing room layout. The system’s distance capability pairs well with ceiling drops, wall-mounted displays, and shared-media environments where lengthy cable runs are common.
• Flexible compatibility with EDID management — Designed to work with a wide range of displays and projectors, the extender supports EDID management features to optimize compatibility and image quality. Whether you connect a high-end 4K monitor, a showroom display, or a standard classroom projector, you can tailor the EDID behavior to suit your content and room conditions, ensuring consistent results across diverse setups.

Technical Details of StarTech.com Multi-Input HDBaseT Extender with Built-in Switch

• Product type — HDBaseT extender with an integrated multi-input switch that consolidates DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA sources.
• Video inputs — Support for DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA inputs with a built-in switching mechanism to route the selected source to the output.
• Transmission format — HDBaseT over CAT5e/CAT6 cabling, carrying video, audio, and control signals over a single cable.
• Maximum resolution — Up to 4K (3840x2160) resolution at compatible refresh rates, with reliable color and detail retention over the specified distance.
• Distance — Effective transmission up to 230 feet (70 meters) over Cat5e or Cat6 cabling, depending on cable quality and environmental factors.
• Compatibility — Works with a wide range of displays, projectors, and video processors; supports EDID management to optimize image quality across devices.
• Power and control — HDBaseT links handle power delivery and control signals where supported by the receiver and display ecosystem, reducing the number of separate power and control cables needed.
• Enclosure and environments — Built for professional use in conference rooms, classrooms, and digital signage installations, with a design that prioritizes reliability and ease of integration.

how to install StarTech.com Multi-Input HDBaseT Extender with Built-in Switch

Follow these straightforward steps to deploy the system quickly and reliably in a classroom, boardroom, or digital signage setup. Note that the exact port layout and power considerations may vary by model, so consult the user manual for model-specific guidance.

Step 1: Plan the layout. Determine which DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA sources will connect to the built-in switch, and identify the ideal location for the transmitter and the display or projector. Ensure distance and wall-mount considerations align with cable routing and the receiving device’s placement.

Step 2: Connect sources to the built-in switch inputs. Attach each DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA source to the corresponding input on the transmitter, using high-quality cables rated for your chosen resolutions. Confirm that each source is powered and ready to deliver content.

Step 3: Link the transmitter to the receiver with CAT5e or CAT6 cable. Run a single network-grade cable from the transmitter to the remote display or projector. Keep the cable path clear of electrical interference, and use proper cable management to maintain a clean installation.

Step 4: Connect power and verify basic functionality. If the system requires external power adapters for the transmitter or receiver, connect them per the included instructions. Power up the transmitter, receiver, and connected display to verify that video from the selected input appears on the screen.

Step 5: Configure input switching and EDID options. Use the built-in switch to select the active input, and adjust any EDID management settings to optimize brightness, color, and timing for the specific display. If your environment includes multiple displays or outputs, test the transition between sources to ensure a smooth, interruption-free experience.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What resolutions can I expect from this extender?

A: The device is designed to support up to 4K video on compatible displays, with dependable performance across HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA sources when used within the documented distance and cabling guidelines.

Q: Which input types are available on the built-in switch?

A: The built-in switch accepts DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA sources, allowing versatile source connections in a single, compact unit.

Q: How far can I run the signal over Cat5e or Cat6?

A: The extender supports distances up to 230 feet (70 meters) over standard Cat5e or Cat6 cabling, enabling flexible room layouts and multi-room deployments.

Q: Do I need special software to operate the built-in switch?

A: No special software is required. The built-in switch provides straightforward, hardware-based source selection and is designed for plug-and-play operation in most professional environments.

Q: Can the system carry audio along with video?

A: Yes. HDBaseT-based extenders typically transmit embedded audio in addition to video, simplifying the installation by reducing the number of separate cables. Check the specific model’s audio capabilities in the product manual for exact supported formats.

Q: Is EDID management important for optimal performance?

A: EDID management helps ensure the display receives compatible timing and color information, especially when mixing different input types (DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA). Using the EDID controls can improve reliability and image quality across diverse displays.