EX-500C Overview and Use Cases

What Is the EX-500C?

The OREI EX-500C is a 1080p HDMI extender kit that sends HDMI video, audio, and bi-directional IR control up to 150m / 492ft over a single CAT 6 / CAT 6a / CAT 7 cable.

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

The EX-500C supports HDMI 1.3 and HDCP 1.4, with a video bandwidth of 4.95Gbps. It supports video resolutions up to 1080p@60Hz and 1920x1200@60Hz, HDMI loop out on the Transmitter, bi-directional IR control, PCM 2.0 audio, wideband IR frequency from 20kHz to 60kHz, and direct CAT cable extension up to 150m / 492ft.

The EX-500C is useful for home theaters, classrooms, conference rooms, offices, retail displays, commercial AV setups, security monitoring rooms, and installations where a 1080p HDMI source needs to be extended over a long distance using CAT cable.

IMPORTANT — EX-500C Supports 1080p, Not 4K

The EX-500C supports video resolutions up to 1080p@60Hz and 1920x1200@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 — EX-500C Extends up to 150m / 492ft

The EX-500C can extend HDMI up to 150m / 492ft over CAT 6 / CAT 6a cable at 1080p@60Hz.

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

Poor-quality CAT cable may cause:

1. No video
2. Flickering
3. Black screen
4. Signal dropouts
5. Audio dropouts
6. IR control issues
7. Receiver not detecting signal

IMPORTANT — Use a Direct CAT Cable Connection

The EX-500C must be connected directly from the Transmitter CAT OUT port to the Receiver CAT IN port.

Do not connect the extender through:

1. Network switch
2. Router
3. Internet network
4. LAN switch
5. Home network distribution 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 — Both Transmitter and Receiver Need Power

The EX-500C 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 — HDMI Loop Out Is on the Transmitter

The Transmitter includes an HDMI OUT port.

This HDMI OUT port is used as a local loop output near the HDMI source.

For example, a Blu-ray player can connect to the Transmitter HDMI IN, a nearby TV or monitor can connect to the Transmitter HDMI OUT, and the remote display can connect to the Receiver HDMI OUT.

IMPORTANT — Bi-Directional IR Control Is Supported

The EX-500C supports bi-directional IR control.

This means IR signals can travel in both directions:

1. Control the source device from the Receiver/display side
2. Control the display from the Transmitter/source side 
    
   The kit includes:
3. IR Blaster cable
4. IR Receiver cable 
    
   Make sure the IR Receiver cable connects to IR IN and the IR Blaster cable connects to IR OUT.

IMPORTANT — Audio Support Is PCM 2.0

The EX-500C supports PCM 2.0 audio.

If there is no audio, set the HDMI source device audio output to PCM, LPCM, or Stereo.

This model does not list Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, or other surround formats.

IMPORTANT — No Separate Audio Extraction Output

The EX-500C 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 Blu-ray player, DVD player, streaming device, cable box, laptop, desktop PC, DVR, or media player.
2. Connect a local display to HDMI OUT on the Transmitter if needed.
3. Connect the remote display to HDMI OUT on the Receiver.
4. Connect CAT OUT on the Transmitter to CAT IN on the Receiver using a CAT 6 / CAT 6a / CAT 7 cable.
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. Power on the HDMI source device and displays.
8. Confirm that the Power LEDs are on.
9. If using IR control, connect the IR Receiver and IR Blaster cables based on the direction of control needed.
10. Test video, audio, and IR control.

CAT Cable Requirement — Critical

For best performance, use high-quality shielded CAT 6 / CAT 6a / CAT 7 cable.

The manual lists:

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

1. No video output
2. Flickering
3. Black screen
4. Signal dropouts
5. Audio dropouts
6. IR control problems
7. Receiver not detecting the Transmitter 
    
   Do not connect the CAT cable through a network switch or router.

HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical

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

Poor HDMI cables may cause:

1. No picture
2. Flickering
3. Audio dropouts
4. HDCP handshake issues
5. No signal on local display
6. No signal on remote display 
    
   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 IN for the source
2. HDMI OUT for local loop output
3. CAT OUT to connect to the Receiver
4. IR IN and IR OUT for bi-directional IR control
5. Power LED
6. DC 5V power input 
    
   The Transmitter must be powered using one of the included DC 5V/1A power adapters.

Understanding the Receiver

The Receiver is installed near the remote display.

It has:

1. CAT IN from the Transmitter
2. HDMI OUT to the remote display
3. IR IN and IR OUT for bi-directional IR control
4. Power LED
5. DC 5V power input 
    
   The Receiver must be powered using the second included DC 5V/1A power adapter.

Understanding HDMI Loop Out

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

This allows a local display to be connected near the HDMI source.

Example setup:

This is useful when the source needs to be viewed both near the equipment rack and at a remote display location.

Understanding Bi-Directional IR

Bi-directional IR allows remote control signals to travel in either direction between the Transmitter and Receiver.

Example 1: Control source from the display location

1. Connect IR Receiver to IR IN on the Receiver
2. Connect IR Blaster to IR OUT on the Transmitter
3. Place IR Receiver near the TV/display
4. Place IR Blaster near the source device’s IR sensor 
    
   Example 2: Control display from the source location
5. Connect IR Receiver to IR IN on the Transmitter
6. Connect IR Blaster to IR OUT on the Receiver
7. Place IR Receiver near the source-side remote location
8. Place IR Blaster near the display’s IR sensor

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 near the IR sensor of the device being controlled
3. Make sure IR IN uses the IR Receiver cable
4. Make sure IR OUT uses the IR Blaster cable

Supported Video and Audio

The EX-500C supports video formats including:

Supported HDMI audio:

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

What Source Devices Is the EX-500C Compatible With?

The OREI EX-500C is compatible with HDMI source devices such as:

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

What Displays Is the EX-500C Compatible With?

The EX-500C can connect to HDMI displays such as:

1. 1080p TVs
2. Monitors
3. Projectors
4. Commercial displays
5. Security monitors
6. Classroom displays
7. Conference room displays
8. Retail displays 
    
   The connected display must support the selected source resolution. 
    
   For troubleshooting, set the source output to 1080p@60Hz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI EX-500C used for? 
A: The EX-500C is used to extend a 1080p HDMI signal up to 150m / 492ft over CAT 6 / CAT 6a cable. It also supports HDMI loop out and bi-directional IR control.

Q: Does the EX-500C support 4K? 
A: No. The EX-500C supports up to 1080p@60Hz and 1920x1200@60Hz.

Q: Does the EX-500C support 1080p@60Hz? 
A: Yes. It supports video resolutions up to 1080p@60Hz.

Q: How far can the EX-500C extend HDMI? 
A: It can extend HDMI up to 150m / 492ft over CAT 6 / CAT 6a cable at 1080p@60Hz.

Q: What CAT cable should I use? 
A: Use high-quality shielded CAT 6 cable for best performance.

Q: Can I connect the EX-500C through a network switch? 
A: No. This model requires a direct connection between the Transmitter and Receiver. It cannot be connected through a network switch.

Q: Does the EX-500C need power on both ends? 
A: Yes. The package includes two power adapters, and both the Transmitter and Receiver need power.

Q: Does the EX-500C support Power over Cable? 
A: No Power over Cable function is listed in the manual. Both units use DC 5V power.

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

Q: What is HDMI loop out used for? 
A: It lets you connect a local TV or monitor near the source while also extending the same signal to the remote display.

Q: Does the EX-500C support IR control? 
A: Yes. It supports bi-directional IR control.

Q: What does bi-directional IR mean? 
A: It means IR remote control signals can travel in both directions between the Transmitter and Receiver.

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

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

Q: What HDMI version does the EX-500C 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 4.95Gbps video bandwidth.

Q: What audio formats are supported? 
A: The manual lists PCM 2.0 audio support.

Q: Does the EX-500C support Dolby or DTS audio? 
A: The manual only lists PCM 2.0 audio support for this model.

Q: Does the EX-500C 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 video on the Receiver? 
A: Check the Green and Yellow lights on the CAT ports, confirm whether HDMI OUT on the Transmitter outputs a signal, and try changing the CAT cable. The manual recommends shielded CAT 6 cable.

Q: What should I do if video works but there is no audio? 
A: Check whether the HDMI OUT on the Transmitter has the same issue and try changing the audio format from the source device.

Q: What should I do if IR control does not work? 
A: Make sure the IR Receiver cable is connected to IR IN and the IR Blaster cable is connected to IR OUT. Confirm the IR Blaster is near the device’s IR sensor.

Q: Does the EX-500C 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.