What Is the X4UH-WUC-ETX?
The OREI X4UH-WUC-ETX is a 4K HDMI wall-plate extender and AV over IP encoder. It mounts flush into a standard US 2-gang wall box, giving you a built-in, professional-grade connection point directly in the wall. A source device such as a laptop, PC, or media player connects to the wall plate via HDMI or USB-C, and the signal is extended over a standard Cat6/6A/7 network cable to a display anywhere on the same Gigabit network — without running long HDMI cables through walls or across ceilings.
The wall-plate encoder works as part of the X4 Series (4K) with KVM system. It captures HDMI or USB-C video along with audio, USB (KVM), RS-232, CEC, and IR signals, compresses them using JPEG2000 technology, and sends everything over the network to a compatible X4 Series decoder, which connects to the display at the other end. The system supports 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 with visually lossless quality and ultra-low latency — ideal for conference rooms, classrooms, and control centers.
For example, the X4UH-WUC-ETX can be used in setups such as:
- Conference room: Presenter plugs their laptop into the wall-plate encoder via HDMI or USB-C. The signal travels over the network to a decoder connected to the room display, with no long cables visible.
- Classroom: Instructor connects at the front wall plate. Signal is extended to a projector or display at the back of the room or in an adjacent space, with keyboard/mouse KVM control passed back to the instructor's PC.
- Control center: Multiple wall-plate encoders at operator stations feed multiple decoders and displays, with video wall configurations up to 9x9 managed from a central Controller Box.
IMPORTANT — The X4UH-WUC-ETX Is an Encoder — a Decoder Is Required to Complete the System
The X4UH-WUC-ETX only captures and transmits signal over the network. It does not output video directly to a display. To receive and display the signal, you must also have a compatible X4 Series decoder (such as the X4UH-KVM-ERX) connected to the same Gigabit network switch.
A minimum working system requires at least one encoder, one decoder, and a compatible managed Gigabit network switch. The encoder and decoder must be on the same network.
IMPORTANT — A Managed Gigabit Network Switch Is Required — Standard Switches Will Not Work
The X4 Series AV over IP system requires a managed (Layer 3) Gigabit network switch that supports IGMP snooping and 8KB jumbo frames. A standard unmanaged consumer switch will not provide the necessary features for reliable AV over IP operation.
Recommended switch models include the Cisco SG500, Cisco Catalyst series, Huawei S5720S-28X-PWR-LI-AC, ZyXEL GS2210, and LUXUL AMS-4424P. If using a PoE switch (802.3at or PoE+), the encoder and decoder can be powered directly from the switch without separate DC adapters.
IMPORTANT — The X4UH-WUC-ETX Is Designed for In-Wall Installation — Cable Routing Is Required
The X4UH-WUC-ETX is a wall-plate device that mounts into a standard US 2-gang wall box (not a desktop or rack-mount unit). The device has two parts: a front face plate (with HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, USB-B ports and status LEDs) that sits flush on the wall surface, and a back box (with the LAN port, audio ports, RS-232, and DC power) that sits inside the wall.
Before installation, a Cat6/6A/7 network cable must be run inside the wall to the gang box location. If the connected Gigabit switch supports PoE (802.3at or PoE+), no additional power cable is needed — the encoder is powered over the network cable. If the switch does not support PoE, a DC 12V/2.5A power line must also be routed to the back-box. Plan cable routing before installation, as access to the inside of the wall will be needed.
Ports and Panel Layout — Encoder (X4UH-WUC-ETX)
| Port / LED / Button | Location | Function |
| STATUS LED (Green) | Front face | Connection status indicator. Light on: Encoder and Decoder are connected and video is being transmitted. Light flashes: Connected but no video signal is being sent to the Decoder. Light off: Encoder and Decoder are not connected over the network. |
| USB-C LED (Green) | Front face | USB-C input status indicator. Light on: USB-C port is selected as the input and a video signal is present. Light flashes: USB-C is selected and source is connected, but no video signal is detected. |
| HDMI LED (Green) | Front face | HDMI input status indicator. Light on: HDMI port is selected as the input and a video signal is present. Light flashes: HDMI is selected and source is connected, but no video signal is detected. |
| SOURCE Button | Front face | Short press: Switch the active input source between HDMI and USB-C. Press and hold 5 seconds: Restore the unit to factory default settings (LEDs will flash 3 times to confirm). |
| USB-A Ports (x2) | Front face | Two USB 2.0 DEVICE ports for connecting USB peripherals such as flash drives or cameras. Output power: 5V/0.6A (DC power) or 5V/0.2A (PoE). |
| USB-B Port | Front face | USB 2.0 HOST port for connecting to a PC for KVM functionality. HOST assignment (USB-B or USB-C) can be set to AUTO (default), USB-B, or USB-C via API commands. |
| HDMI Port | Front face | HDMI 2.0 input. Connect a 4K@60Hz 4:4:4/HDR source such as a laptop, Blu-ray player, or set-top box. |
| USB-C 1 Port | Front face | USB-C video, audio, and USB 2.0 input. Supports 4K@60Hz sources and can also charge a connected device when USB-C 2 is connected to power. |
| USB-C 2 Port | Front face | USB-C power input only (USB Type-C PD). Connect a USB-C PD power adapter here to enable device charging through USB-C 1. |
| LAN (PoE) Port | Back box | 1G network port. Connect to a Gigabit Ethernet switch. Supports PoE (802.3at) power input — no DC adapter is needed when connected to a PoE switch. |
| AUDIO IN | Back box | Analog audio input (3-pin 3.5mm Phoenix connector) for embedding external audio into the stream. Supports unbalanced input up to 1Vrms. Pin order: L-, GND, R. |
| AUDIO OUT | Back box | Analog audio output (3-pin 3.5mm Phoenix connector). Outputs PCM audio de-embedded from the HDMI input by default, or loop output from AUDIO IN. Supports unbalanced output up to 1Vrms. |
| RS-232 | Back box | 3-pin 3.5mm Phoenix connector for RS-232 serial pass-through and local serial port control. |
| DC 12V | Back box | Local DC power input (12V/2.5A). Takes priority over PoE. Required when USB peripherals with heavy power draw are connected. |
Ports and Panel Layout — Decoder (X4UH-KVM-ERX)
The decoder is the companion unit that receives the encoded signal from the network and outputs it to a display. It is sold separately and can work with any compatible X4 Series decoder.
| Port / LED / Button | Location | Function |
| RESET Button | Front panel | Press and hold after powering on until the POWER and LINK LEDs flash simultaneously, then release to restore factory settings. |
| POWER LED (Red) | Front panel | Light on: Decoder is powered (via PoE or DC). Light off: Decoder has no power. |
| LINK LED (Green) | Front panel | Light on: Decoder is connected to an Encoder over LAN/FIBER and receiving video. Light flashes: Connected but no video signal is being received. Light off: No network connection detected. |
| LED Screen | Front panel | Displays the selected Encoder ID by default. Shows configuration options when adjusting Decoder settings. |
| CH SELECT Buttons | Front panel | Used to set the Decoder ID and navigate configuration settings. |
| USB 1.1 DEVICE (x2) | Front panel | Connect USB 1.1 devices such as a keyboard or mouse for KVM use. |
| USB 2.0 DEVICE (x2) | Front panel | Connect USB 2.0 devices such as a USB flash drive or USB camera. |
| IR OUT | Front panel | IR signal output port. IR level configurable to 5V or 12V (default) via panel buttons. |
| IR IN | Front panel | IR signal input port. IR level configurable to 5V or 12V (default) via panel buttons. |
| RELAYS / DIGITAL IO | Front panel | 2-channel relay ports and 2-channel GPIO ports for control and automation integration. VCC output configurable to 5V or 12V (default). |
| RS-232 | Front panel | 3.81mm Phoenix connector for RS-232 pass-through and local serial control. |
| AUDIO IN / OUT | Front panel | AUDIO IN: Analog audio input that can be routed to the Encoder's AUDIO OUT in unicast mode. AUDIO OUT: Outputs the same audio as HDMI OUT when the format is LPCM. |
| SPDIF IN | Front panel | S/PDIF optical audio input. |
| HDMI OUT | Front panel | HDMI output to a display such as a TV or monitor. |
| FIBER | Back panel | Optical fiber slot for connecting directly to an Encoder or through a fiber-capable switch. |
| LAN (PoE) | Back panel | 1G network port. Connect to a Gigabit switch. Supports PoE power input — no DC adapter needed when powered by PoE switch. |
| Data Signal Indicator (Yellow) | Back panel | Flashing: Data is being transmitted. Off: Network cable not connected properly. |
| Link Signal Indicator (Green) | Back panel | On: Network cable is connected and functioning. Off: Network cable issue detected. |
| DC 12V | Back panel | Local DC power input (12V/2.5A). Can be used instead of or alongside PoE power. |
Step-by-Step Setup
- Install the X4UH-WUC-ETX encoder into a US 2-gang wall box at the source location. Run a Cat6/6A/7 cable from the back-box to your Gigabit network switch.
- Connect your source device to the encoder's HDMI port or USB-C 1 port using the appropriate cable. If using USB-C and also want device charging, connect a USB-C PD adapter to the USB-C 2 port.
- If using KVM, connect the encoder's USB-B port to your source PC using a USB-A to USB-B cable. Keyboard, mouse, and other USB peripherals can be connected to the USB-A or USB-2.0 DEVICE ports on the decoder.
- Connect the encoder's LAN (PoE) port to a port on your managed Gigabit switch. If the switch supports PoE (802.3at), the encoder will be powered through the network cable. Otherwise, connect the included 12V DC adapter to the DC 12V port on the back-box.
- Place the decoder at the display location. Connect the decoder's HDMI OUT port to your display (TV, monitor, or projector) using an HDMI cable.
- Connect the decoder's LAN (PoE) port to the same Gigabit switch as the encoder. If the switch supports PoE, the decoder will be powered over the network. Otherwise connect the 12V DC adapter.
- Once both devices are powered and connected to the network, the LINK LED on the encoder will turn on (solid green) when the connection is established and video is transmitting. The POWER and LINK LEDs on the decoder will confirm its status.
- Use the CH SELECT buttons on the decoder's front panel to assign which encoder's signal it displays. The LED screen shows the currently selected encoder ID.
- To switch the encoder's input source between HDMI and USB-C, press the SOURCE button on the encoder's front face. Auto source detection and switching is enabled by default.
- For system configuration, access the Web GUI by entering the encoder or decoder's IP address into a browser on a PC connected to the same network.
Understanding Auto Source Switching
The X4UH-WUC-ETX supports both automatic and manual input source switching between the HDMI port and USB-C 1 port.
By default, auto source detection is enabled. The encoder automatically selects whichever input has an active signal. If a source is connected to both HDMI and USB-C 1, the encoder follows its auto-detection priority. You can override this at any time by pressing the SOURCE button to manually select the desired input.
To restore the encoder to factory default settings, press and hold the SOURCE button for 5 seconds. The STATUS, USB-C, and HDMI LEDs will flash three times to confirm the reset.
What Source Devices Is the X4UH-WUC-ETX Compatible With?
The X4UH-WUC-ETX is compatible with any device that outputs a standard HDMI 2.0 or USB-C video signal. Common examples include laptops and desktop computers (via HDMI or USB-C), Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, media players, cameras with HDMI output, and gaming consoles. The HDMI input supports 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 with HDR. The USB-C 1 input also supports 4K@60Hz with USB 2.0 data pass-through for KVM and peripheral use.
What Decoders and Displays Is the X4UH-WUC-ETX Compatible With?
The X4UH-WUC-ETX works with any compatible X4 Series decoder from the same product family. The decoder connects to any standard HDMI display, including TVs, monitors, and projectors. Multiple decoders can receive from a single encoder for multi-display distribution, and multiple encoders and decoders can be mixed on the same network to form a full AV over IP matrix or video wall system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the OREI X4UH-WUC-ETX?
A: The X4UH-WUC-ETX is a wall-plate AV over IP Encoder that compresses and transmits 4K HDMI or USB-C video, audio, USB, RS-232, CEC, and IR signals over a standard Gigabit Ethernet network. It works as part of a system with a compatible X4 Series decoder to distribute video across a facility.
Q: Does the X4UH-WUC-ETX work as a standalone device?
A: No. The X4UH-WUC-ETX is an encoder — it captures and transmits signal over a network. To receive that signal and display it on a screen, you need a compatible X4 Series decoder (such as the X4UH-KVM-ERX). At minimum, one encoder and one decoder are required to form a working system.
Q: What type of network switch is required?
A: The switch must be a managed (Layer 3) Gigabit switch that supports 8KB jumbo frames and IGMP snooping. Recommended models include the Cisco SG500, Cisco Catalyst series, Huawei S5720S-28X-PWR-LI-AC, ZyXEL GS2210, and LUXUL AMS-4424P. A standard unmanaged switch will not work reliably with this system.
Q: How far can the X4UH-WUC-ETX transmit video over the network?
A: There is no strict distance limit when transmitting over a network. Signal range depends on your network infrastructure. For direct Cat6/6A/7 cable runs (HDMI cable only), the maximum supported lengths are 16ft for 4K@60Hz, 32ft for 4K@30Hz, and 50ft for 1080p@60Hz.
Q: How many encoders and decoders can I connect to a single network?
A: The system supports up to 762 encoders and 762 decoders on a single network. Switches can be cascaded using 10G uplinks to expand the system further, provided sufficient bandwidth is available (each encoder uses approximately 800Mbps).
Q: What input sources does the encoder support?
A: The X4UH-WUC-ETX has one HDMI 2.0 input and two USB-C inputs. USB-C 1 supports 4K@60Hz video, audio, and USB 2.0 data. The encoder supports auto source detection and switching by default, or you can manually switch inputs using the SOURCE button.
Q: Does the system support KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) functionality?
A: Yes. The encoder includes USB-B and USB-A ports for KVM use. The decoder also includes USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 device ports for connecting keyboards, mice, and other peripherals. This allows a single keyboard and mouse to control a source PC from the display location.
Q: Can I create a video wall with this system?
A: Yes. The X4 Series supports video wall configurations up to 9x9 (81 displays). This requires multiple encoders and decoders and a compatible controller. For system control details, refer to the Video over IP Controller user manual.
Q: How is the encoder powered?
A: The X4UH-WUC-ETX can be powered by a DC 12V/2.5A power adapter (included) or by Power over Ethernet (PoE, 802.3at) from the network switch. When using PoE, a DC adapter is not required. If USB peripherals with heavy power draw are connected, DC power is preferred.
Q: What control methods are supported?
A: The system supports Web GUI, RS-232, TCP/IP, Telnet, SSH, and third-party control systems. A Controller Box is available for centralized management. The Web GUI can be accessed by navigating to the encoder or decoder's IP address in a browser.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.