USBC-EXB230R-K Overview and Use Cases

What Is the USBC-EXB230R-K?

The OREI USBC-EXB230R-K is a 4K HDBaseT 3.0 USB-C extender kit with KVM support, designed to send USB-C video, USB 2.0 data, audio, and control over a single CAT6A/7 cable across long distances.

It is useful for setups where a USB-C source such as a laptop needs to drive a remote display and a remote set of USB peripherals, like a keyboard, mouse, webcam, and printer, that sit far from the source. Instead of being limited by a short USB-C cable, the USBC-EXB230R-K uses a Transmitter and a Receiver connected by one CAT6A/7 cable to carry video, data, and power between the two locations.

The kit includes two units that work as a pair:

• Transmitter (TX): connects to the USB-C source device and provides two local USB ports plus a dedicated USB-C charging input
• Receiver (RX): provides a USB-C output for the display and three USB ports for peripherals

The USBC-EXB230R-K supports video up to 4K at 60Hz (4:4:4, 8-bit) over distances up to 130 ft (40m), and 4K at 30Hz over distances up to 230 ft (70m). It passes through HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, along with audio formats including LPCM 2.0/5.1/7.1, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X. It also supports RS-232 pass-through, API command control, and bi-directional 24V Power over Cable, making it well suited to conference rooms, classrooms, commercial AV installations, and professional workspaces.

IMPORTANT — The USBC-EXB230R-K Is a Transmitter and Receiver Kit

The USBC-EXB230R-K is sold and used as a matched pair. The Transmitter and the Receiver are connected to each other using a single CAT6A/7 cable.

This is especially useful when:

• A USB-C source and its display or peripherals are in different locations
• A standard USB-C cable cannot reach between the source and the display
• You want to extend a full KVM setup, with keyboard, mouse, and other USB devices, to a remote location
• You want a clean, single-cable run between two locations across a room or building

Thanks to bi-directional Power over Cable, only one unit needs to be connected to the included power adapter. The other unit is powered over the CAT6A/7 cable.

IMPORTANT — Cable Distance Depends on Resolution

The maximum cable distance depends on the video resolution you are sending.

• Up to 130 ft (40m) for 4K at 60Hz (4:4:4, 8-bit)
• Up to 230 ft (70m) for 4K at 30Hz (4:4:4, 8-bit)

USB 2.0 data passes through up to 230 ft (70m) to the three USB device ports on the Receiver. For best results, use a quality CAT6A or CAT7 cable and avoid running it alongside high-voltage electrical lines.

IMPORTANT — USB Device Ports Are USB 2.0 and Provide 5V/1A

Each USB device port supplies 5V/1A of power. A USB device that requires USB 3.0 speeds or more than 5V/1A of power may not work correctly with this extender.

Avoid connecting unpowered USB hubs to the device ports, and reconnect a USB device after the video signal is established if it is not detected right away.

IMPORTANT — Use Only One Power Adapter With Power over Cable

The USBC-EXB230R-K supports bi-directional 24V Power over Cable (PoC). When PoC is enabled, only one unit should be connected to a power adapter, and the other unit draws power over the CAT6A/7 cable.

Each unit has a PoC ON/OFF DIP switch on its side panel. If you experience power instability, power the Receiver directly with the included adapter, and always use the supplied power adapter only.

Ports and Panel Layout

The USBC-EXB230R-K kit has two units. The Transmitter connects to the USB-C source, and the Receiver connects to the display and remote peripherals.

Transmitter

Receiver

Step-by-Step Setup

• Place the Transmitter near your USB-C source device and the Receiver near your display and remote peripherals.
• Run a single CAT6A/7 cable from the HDBaseT OUT port on the Transmitter to the HDBaseT IN port on the Receiver.
• Connect your USB-C source device, such as a laptop, to the USB-C IN port on the Transmitter.
• If you want the extender to charge the source device, connect an external USB-C charger to the CHARGE port on the Transmitter.
• Connect your display to the USB-C OUT port on the Receiver.
• Connect your USB peripherals, such as a keyboard, mouse, webcam, or printer, to the DEVICES ports on the Transmitter and Receiver as needed.
• Set the PoC ON/OFF switch on both units, then connect the included power adapter to the DC 24V port on one unit. With PoC on, the other unit is powered over the cable.
• If you are using RS-232 control, connect your control system to the RS-232 port on the appropriate unit using the included phoenix connector.
• Power on the source and the display, then confirm that the red Power LEDs are on, the green Link LEDs are on, and video and USB devices are working.

Note: The yellow Signal LED is on when video is transmitting with HDCP, flashes when transmitting without HDCP, and is off when there is no video.

Cable Requirement — Important

The USBC-EXB230R-K uses a single CAT6A or CAT7 cable between the Transmitter and the Receiver, which also carries 24V Power over Cable.

• Use CAT6A or CAT7 cable for reliable HDBaseT 3.0 performance
• Keep the run within 130 ft (40m) for 4K at 60Hz, or 230 ft (70m) for 4K at 30Hz
• Avoid running the cable alongside high-voltage electrical lines to prevent interference

If video drops or flickers, try a shorter or higher quality cable, or lower the resolution from 4K at 60Hz to 4K at 30Hz.

Understanding KVM and USB Device Support

The USBC-EXB230R-K extends both video and USB 2.0 data, which allows it to function as a KVM extender. A single USB-C source can drive a remote display while you control it with a keyboard, mouse, and other USB peripherals at the Receiver location.

The Transmitter provides two USB-A device ports, and the Receiver provides three USB device ports (two USB-A and one USB-C). Each port supplies 5V/1A. Connect USB 2.0 compatible devices such as keyboards, mice, webcams, flash drives, and printers. Devices that require USB 3.0 or more than 5V/1A may not work correctly.

Understanding Power over Cable (PoC)

Power over Cable lets a single power adapter power both units through the CAT6A/7 cable, simplifying installation.

When PoC is enabled with the side-panel switch, connect the included 24V power adapter to either the Transmitter or the Receiver, and the other unit is powered over the cable. Only one adapter should be connected at a time when using PoC. If you experience instability, power the Receiver directly and always use the supplied adapter.

Understanding RS-232 and API Command Control

The USBC-EXB230R-K supports RS-232 pass-through on both units, allowing it to be integrated with a control system or to extend RS-232 control between the source and display locations.

It also supports API command control. Connect the SERVICE port on the Transmitter to a PC or control system using a USB-C cable, then open a serial command tool and send ASCII commands. The connection uses a fixed baud rate of 115200, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. The command set lets you manage input source, EDID, HDCP mode, USB port power, internal test patterns, and system status, among other settings.

What Sources and Displays Is the USBC-EXB230R-K Compatible With?

The USBC-EXB230R-K works with USB-C sources that support DisplayPort Alt Mode (v1.2a), such as laptops and other USB-C devices that can output video over USB-C.

It can be used with:

• Laptops and computers with a USB-C video output
• Displays and monitors with a USB-C video input
• Setups that require HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, or HLG pass-through
• Control systems using RS-232 or API commands

The extender is HDCP 2.2 and DP 1.2a compliant for secure content transmission between modern sources and displays.

What USB Devices Is the USBC-EXB230R-K Compatible With?

The USB device ports on the Transmitter and Receiver work with a wide range of USB 2.0 and 1.1 peripherals.

It can be used with:

• Keyboards and mice
• USB cameras and webcams
• USB flash drives and storage devices
• Printers and scanners

Devices that require USB 3.0 speeds or more than 5V/1A of power may not be compatible. Avoid connecting unpowered USB hubs to the device ports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI USBC-EXB230R-K used for?
A: The USBC-EXB230R-K is used to extend USB-C video, USB 2.0 data, audio, and control over a single CAT6A/7 cable across long distances, with KVM support so a remote keyboard, mouse, and other USB devices can control a single source.

Q: How far can the USBC-EXB230R-K extend a signal?
A: It can extend video up to 130 ft (40m) at 4K at 60Hz, or up to 230 ft (70m) at 4K at 30Hz, with USB 2.0 data passing through up to 230 ft (70m).

Q: Do I need to power both the Transmitter and the Receiver?
A: No. With bi-directional Power over Cable enabled, only one unit needs the included 24V adapter, and the other is powered over the CAT6A/7 cable. Only one adapter should be connected at a time when using PoC.

Q: Can I use a keyboard and mouse at the display location?
A: Yes. The extender supports KVM, so you can connect a keyboard, mouse, and other USB devices to the Receiver ports to control the source from the remote location.

Q: How many USB devices can I connect?
A: The Transmitter provides two USB device ports and the Receiver provides three, for up to five USB devices total. Each port supplies 5V/1A.

Q: Does the USBC-EXB230R-K support USB 3.0 devices?
A: No. The USB device ports are USB 2.0 and supply 5V/1A. Devices that require USB 3.0 speeds or more than 5V/1A may not work correctly.

Q: What resolutions and HDR formats are supported?
A: It supports video up to 4K at 60Hz (4:4:4, 8-bit) and passes through HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. Audio formats include LPCM 2.0/5.1/7.1, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X.

Q: Can the USBC-EXB230R-K be controlled by a control system?
A: Yes. It supports RS-232 pass-through on both units and API command control through the SERVICE port using ASCII commands at 115200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity.

Q: Why is my video dropping or flickering?
A: Try lowering the resolution from 4K at 60Hz to 4K at 30Hz, use a shorter or higher quality CAT6A/7 cable, keep the cable away from high-voltage electrical lines, and make sure PoC power is stable and supplied from only one end.

Q: Why is my USB device not detected?
A: Confirm the device is USB 2.0 compatible, avoid unpowered USB hubs, reconnect the device after the video signal is established, and check that its power requirement does not exceed 5V/1A.

Q: Why do I have no audio?
A: Make sure the source is set to output audio over USB-C, confirm that the display or audio system supports the selected audio format, and try switching to LPCM 2.0 for compatibility testing.