EX-400C Overview and Use Cases

What Is the EX-400C?

The OREI EX-400C is a 1080p HDMI extender kit that sends HDMI video, audio, and IR control up to 120m / 400ft over a single CAT 6 cable.

The kit includes a Transmitter and Receiver. The HDMI source connects to the Transmitter, the HDMI display connects to the Receiver, and a CAT 5 / CAT 5e / CAT 6 cable connects the Transmitter to the Receiver.

The EX-400C supports HDMI 1.3 and HDCP 1.4, with a video bandwidth of 10.2Gbps. It supports video resolutions up to 1080p@60Hz, uncompressed and zero-latency transmission, HDMI audio pass-through, IR passback from the Receiver side to the Transmitter side, and direct CAT cable transmission up to 120m / 400ft over CAT 6 cable.

The EX-400C is useful for home theater setups, AV closets, classrooms, conference rooms, HD monitoring systems, digital signage, offices, retail displays, and installations where a 1080p HDMI source needs to be extended over long distance using CAT cable.

IMPORTANT — EX-400C Supports 1080p, Not 4K

The EX-400C supports video resolutions up to 1080p@60Hz.

It does not support 4K, 4K@60Hz, 8K, or 4K@120Hz.

For 4K setups, use an HDMI extender that specifically supports 4K resolution.

IMPORTANT — Maximum Distance Depends on CAT Cable Type

The EX-400C supports different extension distances depending on the cable type.

For best performance and maximum distance, use high-quality CAT 6 cable.

IMPORTANT — Use a Direct CAT Cable Connection

The EX-400C should be connected directly from the Transmitter RJ45 output to the Receiver RJ45 input.

Do not connect the extender through:

1. Network switch
2. Router
3. Internet network
4. LAN switch
5. Ethernet wall network system 
    
   This product is not an AV-over-IP extender. The CAT cable is used as a direct HDMI signal extension cable between the Transmitter and Receiver.

IMPORTANT — Use IEEE-568B Wiring

The manual lists the CAT 5 / CAT 5e / CAT 6 cable standard as IEEE-568B.

The wiring order shown in the manual is:

If the CAT cable is wired incorrectly, damaged, or low quality, the extender may show no video, unstable video, or flashing link indicators.

IMPORTANT — Both Transmitter and Receiver Need Power

The EX-400C package includes two DC 5V/1A power adapters.

This means both the Transmitter and Receiver need their own power connection.

This model does not list Power over Cable.

Connect one power adapter to the Transmitter and the second power adapter to the Receiver.

IMPORTANT — IR Passback Is Supported

The EX-400C supports IR passback.

This allows the user at the display side to control the HDMI source device located near the Transmitter.

Typical setup:

1. Connect the IR Blaster cable to IR OUT on the Transmitter
2. Connect the IR Receiver cable to IR IN on the Receiver
3. Place the IR Receiver near the display where the remote will be used
4. Place the IR Blaster near the source device’s IR sensor

IMPORTANT — IR Is Mainly for Source Control From the Receiver Side

The manual describes IR passback for remote control source device from the Receiver side.

This means the common use case is controlling a DVD player, Blu-ray player, set-top box, or media source near the Transmitter while standing near the remote display.

IMPORTANT — No HDMI Loop Out

The EX-400C does not include HDMI loop out.

It has:

1. HDMI IN on the Transmitter
2. HDMI OUT on the Receiver 
    
   If a local display is needed near the HDMI source, use a separate HDMI splitter or choose an extender model with HDMI loop output.

IMPORTANT — No Separate Audio Extraction Output

The EX-400C does not include Optical, Coaxial, RCA, or 3.5mm audio extraction.

Audio passes through HDMI to the connected display or HDMI audio device.

If separate audio extraction is needed, use an extender model with built-in audio output.

Ports and Panel Layout

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect the HDMI source device to HDMI IN on the Transmitter. 
   Examples include a DVD player, Blu-ray player, set-top box, cable box, laptop, DVR, or media player.
2. Connect the HDMI display to HDMI OUT on the Receiver. 
   Examples include a TV, monitor, projector, or commercial display.
3. Connect the Transmitter RJ45 output to the Receiver RJ45 input using CAT 5 / CAT 5e / CAT 6 cable.
4. Make sure the CAT cable follows IEEE-568B wiring.
5. Connect one included DC 5V/1A power adapter to the Transmitter.
6. Connect the second included DC 5V/1A power adapter to the Receiver.
7. If using IR control, connect the IR Blaster cable to IR OUT on the Transmitter.
8. Connect the IR Receiver cable to IR IN on the Receiver.
9. Power on the HDMI source, display, Transmitter, and Receiver.
10. Test video, audio, and IR control.

CAT Cable Requirement — Critical

For best performance, use high-quality CAT 6 cable.

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

1. No video
2. Abnormal display
3. Flickering
4. Black screen
5. LINK indicator flashing
6. Signal dropouts
7. IR control issues
8. Receiver not detecting signal 
    
   Do not connect the CAT cable through a network switch or router.

HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical

Use good-quality HDMI cables for the source and display.

The manual lists HDMI cable length as up to 8m / 26ft using AWG24 cable.

Poor HDMI cables may cause:

1. No picture
2. Abnormal video display
3. Flickering
4. Audio issues
5. HDCP handshake issues
6. No signal 
    
   For troubleshooting, test the HDMI source directly with the display before using the extender.

Understanding the Transmitter

The Transmitter is installed near the HDMI source device.

It has:

1. HDMI input for the source
2. RJ45 output to connect to the Receiver
3. IR output for the IR Blaster cable
4. Reset button
5. LINK indicator
6. DC 5V power input 
    
   The Transmitter must be powered using one of the included 5V/1A power adapters.

Understanding the Receiver

The Receiver is installed near the remote display.

It has:

1. RJ45 input from the Transmitter
2. HDMI output to the display
3. IR input for the IR Receiver cable
4. Reset button
5. LINK indicator
6. DC 5V power input 
    
   The Receiver must be powered using the second included 5V/1A power adapter.

Understanding IR Passback

IR passback allows the remote control signal to travel from the Receiver side back to the Transmitter side.

Typical setup:

This allows the user near the remote display to control a source device near the Transmitter.

Understanding IR Cable Placement

The IR Receiver receives remote control signals.

The IR Blaster sends IR signals to the device being controlled.

For reliable IR control:

1. Place the IR Receiver where the remote control has line of sight
2. Place the IR Blaster as close as possible to the source device’s IR sensor
3. Make sure the IR Receiver is connected to IR IN on the Receiver
4. Make sure the IR Blaster is connected to IR OUT on the Transmitter

Understanding the LINK Indicator

The EX-400C includes LINK indicators on both units.

Use the LINK indicator when troubleshooting no video or unstable signal issues.

Understanding the Reset Button

Both the Transmitter and Receiver include a Reset button.

Press Reset if:

1. No image appears
2. Video display is abnormal
3. LINK indicator is flashing
4. LINK indicator is on but no image appears
5. HDMI handshake fails
6. Source or display was changed 
    
   If Reset does not solve the issue, power cycle the Transmitter, Receiver, source, and display.

Supported Video and Audio

The EX-400C supports video formats including:

Supported HDMI audio formats include:

The connected source and display/audio device must also support the selected video and audio format.

What Source Devices Is the EX-400C Compatible With?

The OREI EX-400C is compatible with HDMI source devices such as:

1. DVD players
2. Blu-ray players
3. PS3
4. HDMI monitoring equipment
5. Cable boxes
6. Satellite receivers
7. Set-top boxes
8. Streaming devices
9. DVRs
10. Media players
11. Laptops with HDMI output
12. Desktop PCs with HDMI output 
     
    For best compatibility, set the source resolution to 1080p@60Hz or lower.

What Displays Is the EX-400C Compatible With?

The EX-400C can connect to HDMI displays such as:

1. HDTVs
2. TVs
3. Monitors
4. Projectors
5. Commercial displays
6. Classroom displays
7. Conference room displays
8. Digital signage displays
9. Retail displays 
    
   The connected display must have an HDMI input and support the selected source resolution. 
    
   For troubleshooting, set the source output to 1080p@60Hz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI EX-400C used for? 
A: The EX-400C is used to extend a 1080p HDMI signal up to 120m / 400ft over CAT 6 cable. It also supports IR passback for controlling the source device from the display side.

Q: Does the EX-400C support 4K? 
A: No. The EX-400C supports up to 1080p@60Hz.

Q: Does the EX-400C support 1080p@60Hz? 
A: Yes. It supports video resolutions up to 1080p@60Hz.

Q: How far can the EX-400C extend HDMI? 
A: It supports up to 80m over CAT 5, 100m over CAT 5e, and 120m / 400ft over CAT 6.

Q: What CAT cable should I use? 
A: Use CAT 6 cable for best performance and maximum distance.

Q: Can I connect the EX-400C through a network switch? 
A: No. The Transmitter and Receiver must be directly connected by CAT cable.

Q: What wiring standard should the CAT cable use? 
A: The manual lists standard IEEE-568B wiring.

Q: Does the EX-400C need power on both ends? 
A: Yes. The package includes two DC 5V/1A power adapters, and both the Transmitter and Receiver need power.

Q: Does it support Power over Cable? 
A: No Power over Cable function is listed in the manual.

Q: Does the EX-400C have HDMI loop out? 
A: No. This model does not include HDMI loop out.

Q: Does the EX-400C support IR control? 
A: Yes. It supports IR passback from the Receiver side to the Transmitter side.

Q: Which IR cable goes into IR IN? 
A: The IR Receiver cable connects to IR IN on the Receiver.

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

Q: What HDMI version does the EX-400C support? 
A: It supports HDMI 1.3.

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: Is the EX-400C zero-latency? 
A: Yes. The manual lists uncompressed and zero-latency transmission.

Q: What audio formats are supported? 
A: The manual lists LPCM, DTS 5.1, and Dolby Digital audio support.

Q: Does the EX-400C have separate audio output? 
A: No. This model does not include Optical, Coaxial, RCA, or 3.5mm audio extraction. Audio passes through HDMI.

Q: What should I do if there is no image output? 
A: Check that all cables are connected properly, restart the Transmitter and Receiver, and try a different network cable.

Q: What should I do if the Receiver LINK indicator keeps flashing? 
A: Make sure the network cable follows IEEE-568B, check whether the Transmitter has HDMI signal input, and restart both units.

Q: What should I do if the Receiver LINK indicator is on but there is no image? 
A: Make sure the monitor supports the current HDMI signal mode, make sure the HDMI cable is connected properly to the display, and make sure the network cable uses fine copper wires.

Q: What should I do if IR control does not work? 
A: Connect the IR Receiver cable to IR IN on the Receiver and the IR Blaster cable to IR OUT on the Transmitter. Place the IR Blaster close to the source device’s IR sensor.

Q: Does the EX-400C need external power? 
A: Yes. Connect one included DC 5V/1A power adapter to the Transmitter and the second DC 5V/1A power adapter to the Receiver.