HD18-EX165-K Overview and Use Cases

What Is the HD18-EX165-K?

The OREI HD18-EX165-K is a 1x8 HDMI extender splitter over CAT6 / CAT7 cable. It distributes one HDMI source signal to eight remote HDMI displays, with an additional HDMI loop out on the Transmitter for a local display.

The kit includes one Transmitter and eight Receivers. The HDMI source connects to HDMI IN on the Transmitter, each Receiver connects to a display, and CAT6 / CAT7 cables connect the Transmitter to the Receivers.

The HD18-EX165-K supports HDMI 1.4 and HDCP 1.4, with a video bandwidth of 10.2Gbps. It supports video resolutions up to 4K@30Hz at 165ft and 1080p@60Hz up to 230ft, HDMI loop out on the Transmitter, Power over Cable, advanced EDID management, unidirectional IR control from the Receivers to the Transmitter, HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, LPCM 7.1CH, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio. 

The HD18-EX165-K is useful for restaurants, bars, retail displays, churches, classrooms, conference rooms, digital signage, commercial AV installations, and residential setups where one HDMI source needs to be shown on up to eight remote displays.

IMPORTANT — HD18-EX165-K Is a 1x8 Extender Splitter

The HD18-EX165-K sends one HDMI source to eight remote displays.

This product duplicates the same HDMI source to multiple displays. It does not create different screens or extended PC desktop outputs.

IMPORTANT — Supports 4K@30Hz, Not 4K@60Hz

The HD18-EX165-K supports video resolutions up to 4K@30Hz.

It does not support:

• 4K@60Hz 
• 4K@120Hz 
• 8K 

For 4K@60Hz distribution, use an HDMI 2.0 extender splitter.

For 8K or 4K@120Hz setups, use an HDMI 2.1 solution.

IMPORTANT — Maximum Distance Depends on Resolution

The HD18-EX165-K supports different distances depending on the resolution.

For best performance, use high-quality CAT6 / CAT7 cable.

Poor cable quality can reduce working distance.

IMPORTANT — Use Direct CAT Cable Connections

Each Receiver should be connected directly to the Transmitter using CAT6 / CAT7 cable.

Do not connect the CAT cable through:

• Network switch 
• Router 
• Internet network 
• LAN switch 
• Home or office network system 

This product is not an AV-over-IP system. The CAT cable is used as a direct HDMI extension path from the Transmitter to each Receiver.

IMPORTANT — Power over Cable Is Supported

The HD18-EX165-K supports Power over Cable.

The package includes one power adapter.

Connect the included DC 12V/2.5A power adapter to the Transmitter.

The Receivers receive power through the CAT cables from the Transmitter.

If a Receiver does not power on, check:

• Transmitter power adapter 
• Transmitter power switch 
• CAT cable connection 
• CAT cable quality 
• Correct CAT OUT to Receiver CAT connection 

IMPORTANT — HDMI Loop Out Is on the Transmitter

The Transmitter includes HDMI OUT.

This HDMI OUT port is used to connect a local display near the HDMI source.

Example setup:

This is useful when the source needs to be viewed locally and distributed to remote displays.

IMPORTANT — IR Control Works From Receiver Side to Transmitter Side

The HD18-EX165-K supports unidirectional IR control from the Receivers to the Transmitter.

This allows users near the remote displays to control the media source near the Transmitter.

Typical setup:

• Connect the IR Blaster cable to IR OUT on the Transmitter 
• Place the IR Blaster near the media source IR window 
• Connect IR Receiver cables to IR IN on the Receivers 
• Place each IR Receiver near the remote display where the source remote can point 

Important: Use the media source remote, not the TV remote, to control the media source.

IMPORTANT — Advanced EDID Management Is Included

The Transmitter includes EDID DIP switches.

EDID presets include:

After changing the EDID setting, turn the Transmitter off and then back on for the selected EDID setting to take effect.

IMPORTANT — HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG Are Supported

The HD18-EX165-K supports:

To use HDR or Dolby Vision, the HDMI source, displays, HDMI cables, CAT cables, and EDID setting must all support the required format.

IMPORTANT — Audio Format Support

The HD18-EX165-K supports:

• LPCM 7.1CH 
• Dolby TrueHD 
• DTS-HD Master Audio 

The connected source, displays, AVR, soundbar, or audio system must also support the selected audio format.

If there is no audio, try an EDID preset with 2CH audio or set the source audio output to PCM / Stereo.

Ports and Panel Layout

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect the HDMI source device to HDMI IN on the Transmitter. 
   Examples include a Blu-ray player, DVD player, cable box, media player, streaming device, DVR, NVR, or computer. 
2. Connect a local display to HDMI OUT on the Transmitter if needed. 
3. Connect CAT OUT 1 on the Transmitter to the CAT port on Receiver 1 using CAT6 / CAT7 cable. 
4. Repeat for CAT OUT 2 through CAT OUT 8 if using more displays. 
5. Connect each Receiver HDMI OUT to its display. 
6. Connect the included DC 12V/2.5A power adapter to the Transmitter. 
7. Turn on the Transmitter using the POWER switch. 
8. If using IR control, connect the IR Blaster cable to IR OUT on the Transmitter. 
9. Place the IR Blaster near the media source IR window. 
10. Connect IR Receiver cables to IR IN on the Receivers. 
11. Place each IR Receiver near the display where the source remote can point. 
12. Set the EDID DIP switch based on the required resolution and audio format. 
13. Power cycle the Transmitter after changing EDID. 
14. Power on the HDMI source and displays. 
15. Check the Power and Data Signal LEDs. 
16. Test video, audio, HDMI loop out, and IR control. 

CAT Cable Requirement — Critical

Use high-quality CAT6 / CAT7 cable.

Poor-quality, damaged, or incorrectly terminated CAT cable may cause:

• No video 
• Flickering 
• Black screen 
• Receiver not powering on 
• No HDMI signal 
• 4K@30Hz not working 
• IR control issues 
• Audio dropouts 
• Signal loss at longer distances 

Use direct cable runs from the Transmitter to each Receiver.

HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical

Use good-quality HDMI cables for the source, local display, and remote displays.

Poor HDMI cables may cause:

• No picture 
• Flickering 
• Black screen 
• No sound 
• HDCP handshake issues 
• HDR issues 
• Wrong resolution 
• No signal on local HDMI loop out 

For troubleshooting, test the HDMI source directly with a display before using the extender splitter.

Power Requirement — Critical

The HD18-EX165-K uses one power adapter connected to the Transmitter.

If the Receivers do not power on, check the Transmitter power switch and the CAT cable connection.

Understanding the Transmitter

The Transmitter is installed near the HDMI source.

It has:

• HDMI IN for the source 
• HDMI OUT for local loop display 
• Eight CAT OUT ports for remote Receivers 
• IR OUT for source control 
• EDID DIP switches 
• UPDATE port 
• DC 12V power input 
• POWER switch 
• Power and Data Signal LEDs 

The Transmitter splits and extends the HDMI signal to up to eight Receivers.

Understanding the Receiver

Each Receiver is installed near a remote HDMI display.

Each Receiver has:

• CAT input from the Transmitter 
• HDMI OUT to the display 
• IR IN for remote control signal 
• Green Power LED 
• Yellow Data Signal LED 

The Receiver receives power and signal through the CAT cable and outputs HDMI to the display.

Understanding HDMI Loop Out

The HDMI OUT port on the Transmitter is a local loop output.

This allows one display to be connected near the source while the same HDMI signal is sent to the remote Receivers.

Example:

The local display and all remote displays show the same HDMI source.

Understanding EDID Presets

EDID tells the HDMI source what resolution and audio format to output.

The HD18-EX165-K includes EDID presets for 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 3D 1080p, 4K30, and Copy Loop Out.

Use EDID when:

• There is no video 
• Displays show the wrong resolution 
• Audio does not work 
• 4K@30Hz does not display correctly 
• Different displays support different formats 

After selecting the desired EDID preset, turn the Transmitter off and back on.

Understanding IR Control

IR control allows users at the Receiver/display side to control the media source connected near the Transmitter.

Typical setup:

Important: The TV remote will not control the media source. Use the remote for the media source device.

Understanding LED Indicators

Use the LEDs to troubleshoot power, HDCP, and HDMI signal issues.

Supported Video and Audio

The HD18-EX165-K supports video formats including:

Supported audio formats include:

Supported Technical Specifications

What Source Devices Is the HD18-EX165-K Compatible With?

The HD18-EX165-K is compatible with HDMI source devices such as:

• Blu-ray players 
• DVD players 
• Cable boxes 
• Satellite receivers 
• Streaming devices 
• Media players 
• DVRs 
• NVRs 
• Computers with HDMI output 
• HDMI matrix outputs 
• HDMI switch outputs 

The source must output a supported HDMI resolution up to 4K@30Hz.

What Displays Is the HD18-EX165-K Compatible With?

The HD18-EX165-K can connect to HDMI displays such as:

• 4K TVs 
• 1080p TVs 
• Monitors 
• Projectors 
• Commercial displays 
• Digital signage screens 
• Classroom displays 
• Conference room displays 
• Restaurant displays 
• Church displays 
• Retail displays 
• Bar TVs 

For 4K use, the display must support 4K@30Hz input.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI HD18-EX165-K used for? 
A: The HD18-EX165-K is used to split and extend one HDMI source to up to eight remote HDMI displays over CAT6 / CAT7 cable.

Q: Is the HD18-EX165-K a splitter or extender? 
A: It is both. It works as a 1x8 HDMI extender splitter.

Q: How many Receivers are included? 
A: Eight Receivers are included.

Q: How many displays can it support? 
A: It can support up to eight remote displays through the Receivers, plus one local display through the Transmitter HDMI loop out.

Q: Does the HD18-EX165-K support 4K? 
A: Yes. It supports up to 4K@30Hz.

Q: Does the HD18-EX165-K support 4K@60Hz? 
A: No. It supports up to 4K@30Hz only.

Q: Does it support 8K? 
A: No. It does not support 8K.

Q: What HDMI version does it support? 
A: It supports HDMI 1.4.

Q: What HDCP version does it support? 
A: It supports HDCP 1.4.

Q: What video bandwidth does it support? 
A: It supports 10.2Gbps video bandwidth.

Q: How far can it extend HDMI? 
A: It supports up to 165ft at 4K@30Hz and up to 230ft at 1080p@60Hz.

Q: What CAT cable should I use? 
A: Use high-quality CAT6 / CAT7 cable.

Q: Can I connect the CAT cable through a network switch or router? 
A: No. Each Receiver should connect directly to the Transmitter using CAT6 / CAT7 cable.

Q: Does it need power on every Receiver? 
A: No. It supports Power over Cable, so the Receivers are powered through the CAT cables from the Transmitter.

Q: How many power adapters are included? 
A: One power adapter is included.

Q: Where does the power adapter connect? 
A: The power adapter connects to the Transmitter DC 12V port.

Q: Does the Transmitter have HDMI loop out? 
A: Yes. The Transmitter has HDMI OUT for a local display.

Q: What is HDMI loop out used for? 
A: It lets you connect a local display near the source while the same signal is extended to the remote Receivers.

Q: Does it create extended desktop across multiple displays? 
A: No. It duplicates the PC screen to multiple locations. It does not create extended desktop screens.

Q: Does it support IR remote control? 
A: Yes. It supports unidirectional IR control from the Receivers to the Transmitter.

Q: Which IR cable goes on the Transmitter? 
A: The IR Blaster cable connects to IR OUT on the Transmitter.

Q: Which IR cable goes on the Receivers? 
A: The IR Receiver cables connect to IR IN on the Receivers.

Q: Can I use the TV remote to control the media source? 
A: No. Use the media source remote to control the media source.

Q: Does it support EDID management? 
A: Yes. It includes EDID DIP switch presets.

Q: Do I need to restart after changing EDID? 
A: Yes. Turn the Transmitter off and back on for the selected EDID setting to take effect.

Q: What EDID presets are available? 
A: Presets include 1080p, 1080i, 3D 1080p, 4K30, 720p, and Copy Loop Out, with audio options such as 2CH, Dolby/DTS 5.1, and HD Audio.

Q: Does it support HDR? 
A: Yes. The manual lists HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG.

Q: What audio formats are supported? 
A: It supports LPCM 7.1CH, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Q: What should I do if there is no output? 
A: Try a lower resolution from the source device, change the CAT cable, change the EDID settings, and check whether the HDMI OUT on the Transmitter has the same issue.

Q: What should I do if one Receiver has no signal? 
A: Check that Receiver’s CAT cable, HDMI cable, and display input. Also test that Receiver on another CAT OUT port.

Q: What should I do if all Receivers have no signal? 
A: Check the Transmitter power, source HDMI output, EDID setting, and local HDMI OUT on the Transmitter.

Q: What should I do if 4K@30Hz does not work? 
A: Use high-quality CAT6 / CAT7 cable, keep the run within 165ft, confirm the source and display support 4K@30Hz, and choose a 4K30 EDID preset.

Q: What should I do if audio does not work? 
A: Try an EDID preset with 2CH audio or set the source device to PCM / Stereo.

Q: What should I do if IR control does not work? 
A: Confirm the IR Receiver is connected to the Receiver IR IN port, the IR Blaster is connected to the Transmitter IR OUT port, and the IR Blaster is placed near the media source IR window.

Q: Does the HD18-EX165-K need external power? 
A: Yes. Connect the included DC 12V/2.5A power adapter to the Transmitter. The Receivers receive power through the CAT cables.