UHD-EXB230EA-K Overview and Use Cases

What Is the UHD-EXB230EA-K?

The OREI UHD-EXB230EA-K is a professional point-to-point HDMI extender that sends uncompressed 4K video, eARC/ARC audio, RS-232, and bi-directional IR over a single CAT6A/7 cable. It is a two-piece kit: a Transmitter (TX) that connects to your HDMI source, and a Receiver (RX) that connects to your display. The two are linked by one CAT6A/7 cable, so you can place a display far from the source without running a long HDMI cable.

It is built for residential and commercial installations where the source equipment, such as an AV receiver or media stack, sits in one location and the display sits in another, while still passing audio return, control, and IR between the two ends. Using the HDBaseT 3.0 VS310 chipset, it carries everything over one cable run.

The UHD-EXB230EA-K is HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 2.3 compliant with 18Gbps video bandwidth. It supports resolutions up to 4K@60Hz (YUV 4:4:4) and reaches 131ft (40m) at 4K@60Hz, or up to 230ft (70m) at 4K@30Hz or 1080p@60Hz over CAT6A/7 cable. It supports HDR formats including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, passes eARC/ARC audio back from the display, and includes bi-directional IR and RS-232 pass-through. Bi-directional 24V Power over Cable means only one end needs to be powered.

IMPORTANT — This Is a Point-to-Point Extender, Not a Splitter

The UHD-EXB230EA-K connects one source to one display over a single CAT6A/7 cable. It is a one-to-one extender, not a splitter or matrix.

It is designed for customers who want to:

• Send one HDMI source to one remote display without running a long HDMI cable
• Keep audio return, IR, and RS-232 control working across the same single cable run

If you need to send one source to multiple displays, this kit is not the right product, since each kit drives a single display.

IMPORTANT — How eARC/ARC Audio Return Works

The UHD-EXB230EA-K is built around eARC/ARC audio return, which lets a TV at the Receiver send its audio back to an AV receiver or soundbar at the Transmitter.

• Transmitter eARC/ARC IN: connect your HDMI source for video, or connect your eARC enabled AV receiver or soundbar to receive the returned audio
• Receiver eARC/ARC OUT: connect an ARC/eARC enabled TV. The TV sends its audio back through the extender to the AV equipment at the Transmitter

This is what lets a TV across the room play its built-in apps and send that audio back to a soundbar or AVR sitting next to the source. For audio return to work, both the TV and the AV equipment must support ARC or eARC.

IMPORTANT — Transmission Distance Depends on Resolution

The maximum cable distance changes with the resolution you are sending.

• 4K@60Hz: up to 131ft (40m) over CAT6A/7 cable
• 4K@30Hz or 1080p@60Hz: up to 230ft (70m) over CAT6A/7 cable

The HDMI connections at each end use passive HDMI cable up to 9.8ft (3m). For the run between the Transmitter and Receiver, use CAT6A or CAT7 cable to reach the rated distances.

IMPORTANT — Bi-Directional 24V Power over Cable

The kit supports bi-directional 24V Power over Cable, so you only need to power one end.

Connect the included 24V power adapter to either the Transmitter or the Receiver, and the other unit is powered over the CAT6A/7 cable. Each unit has a PoC switch: ON enables Power over Cable (the factory default), and OFF disables it, in which case that unit needs its own local 24V power supply.

Ports and Panel Layout

The UHD-EXB230EA-K kit includes one Transmitter and one Receiver. The two units share a very similar layout, with the main difference being the HDMI direction: the Transmitter takes the source in, and the Receiver sends the display out.

Transmitter:

Receiver:

Step-by-Step Setup

• Place the Transmitter near your source and AV equipment, and the Receiver near your display.
• Connect a CAT6A/7 cable to the HDBaseT OUT port on the Transmitter, then run the other end to the HDBaseT IN port on the Receiver.
• At the Transmitter, connect your HDMI source to the eARC/ARC IN port. If you are using audio return, this is also where your eARC AV receiver or soundbar connects.
• At the Receiver, connect your ARC/eARC enabled TV to the eARC/ARC OUT port using an HDMI cable.
• If you want IR control across the link, connect the included IR Wideband Receiver cable to the IR IN port at one end, and the IR Blaster cable to the IR OUT port at the other end, depending on the direction you want to control.
• If you want serial control, connect RS-232 at the relevant end using the included 3-pin to 3.5mm Phoenix connector.
• Confirm both PoC switches are set as needed. With PoC ON at both ends, connect the included 24V power adapter to either the Transmitter or the Receiver, and the other unit is powered over the cable.
• Confirm the red Power LED is lit and the green LINK LED is on, which shows the two units are linked.
• Turn on the source and display, and confirm video appears, and that returned audio reaches your AV equipment if you are using eARC/ARC.

Note: The yellow Data Signal Indicator shows video status: solid for an HDCP encrypted signal, flashing for a signal without HDCP, and off for no video. This helps confirm whether video is reaching the link.

Understanding Control and IR Options

The UHD-EXB230EA-K supports bi-directional IR and RS-232 pass-through, plus API command control through the SERVICE port.

Bi-directional IR lets you control a device at either end from the other end. An IR remote signal received at one unit's IR IN is sent out of the other unit's IR OUT, so you can, for example, control the source from the display location, or the display from the source location.

RS-232 pass-through carries serial control signals across the link for integration with a control system. For direct control of the extender, the SERVICE port is a USB-C virtual RS-232 connection fixed at 115200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. Through API commands you can query firmware version, check device and ARC status, read CEC status, and reboot the unit.

For IR placement, the included IR receiver works best within a clear angle to the remote. At a 45 degree angle the range is about 0 to 5 meters, and at a 90 degree angle the range is about 0 to 8 meters.

What Source Devices Is the UHD-EXB230EA-K Compatible With?

The Transmitter eARC/ARC IN port connects to a standard HDMI source, or to an eARC AV receiver or soundbar.

It can be used with:

• Blu-ray and DVD players
• Streaming media devices and set-top boxes
• AV receivers and soundbars with eARC for audio return
• Other devices with a standard HDMI output

It supports resolutions up to 4K@60Hz (YUV 4:4:4), along with a wide range of 1080p, 4K, and PC resolutions, and HDR formats including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG.

What Displays Is the UHD-EXB230EA-K Compatible With?

The Receiver eARC/ARC OUT port connects to a standard HDMI display.

It can be used with:

• 4K TVs and monitors
• ARC and eARC enabled TVs for audio return
• Projectors with HDMI input

For audio return, the connected TV must support ARC or eARC, and the AV equipment at the Transmitter must support the same. The display should support the resolution being sent, up to 4K@60Hz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI UHD-EXB230EA-K used for?
A: It is used to send 4K HDMI video, eARC/ARC audio, RS-232, and bi-directional IR from a source to a remote display over a single CAT6A/7 cable, at distances up to 131ft (40m) at 4K@60Hz or up to 230ft (70m) at 4K@30Hz or 1080p@60Hz.

Q: How far can it extend my source?
A: It reaches up to 131ft (40m) at 4K@60Hz, and up to 230ft (70m) at 4K@30Hz or 1080p@60Hz, over CAT6A/7 cable.

Q: Does it support eARC audio return?
A: Yes. A TV connected to the Receiver eARC/ARC OUT can send its audio back through the extender to an eARC AV receiver or soundbar connected at the Transmitter. Both the TV and the AV equipment must support ARC or eARC.

Q: Can it send one source to multiple displays?
A: No. The UHD-EXB230EA-K is a point-to-point extender, so one Transmitter sends to one Receiver and one display.

Q: Do I need to power both units?
A: No. The kit supports bi-directional 24V Power over Cable. Connect the included power adapter to either the Transmitter or the Receiver, and the other unit is powered over the cable, as long as the PoC switches are set to ON.

Q: What does the PoC switch do?
A: It enables or disables Power over Cable on that unit. ON is the factory default and lets the unit draw power over the cable. OFF means the unit needs its own local 24V power supply.

Q: What cable should I use between the units?
A: Use CAT6A or CAT7 cable for the run between the Transmitter and Receiver. The HDMI connections at each end use passive HDMI cable up to 9.8ft (3m).

Q: Does it support HDR?
A: Yes. The UHD-EXB230EA-K supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG.

Q: Can I control my source from the display end?
A: Yes. The extender supports bi-directional IR, so an IR signal received at one unit is sent out of the other unit, letting you control a device at either end from the other end. RS-232 pass-through is also available for control systems.

Q: How do I know the link is working?
A: The red Power LED shows the unit is powered, and the green LINK LED lights when the Transmitter and Receiver are linked. The yellow Data Signal Indicator shows video status: solid for an HDCP encrypted signal, flashing for a signal without HDCP, and off for no video.