X4UH-KVM-ETX Overview and Use Cases – OREI

What Is the X4UH-KVM-ETX?

The OREI X4UH-KVM-ETX is the Encoder unit of the X4UH-KVM system — an HDMI extender and AV-over-IP solution designed for high-performance, long-distance signal transmission. Fully compliant with HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0b, it supports 4K@60Hz (4:4:4) video with up to 18Gbps bandwidth.

The ETX (Encoder) connects to your HDMI source device and transmits video, analog and digital audio, IR, RS-232, CEC, and USB data over a CAT5E/6/6A/7 network cable or optical fiber to one or more X4UH-KVM-ERX Decoder units, up to 100 meters (328 feet) away.

It supports ARC/eARC, S/PDIF, and analog audio return channels, and includes two relay channels and two I/O ports for contact control. Channel configuration is done via front panel buttons and an LED display. The ETX operates on a 1G Ethernet network with PoE support and can be managed through a built-in web interface, Telnet, or SSH.

IMPORTANT — The X4UH-KVM-ETX Is the Encoder (Transmitter), Not the Receiver

The X4UH-KVM-ETX is the source-side unit. It connects to your HDMI source device (such as a Blu-ray player, gaming console, or set-top box) and sends the signal to the Decoder.

To receive and display the signal, you need the X4UH-KVM-ERX (Decoder). The ETX and ERX must be used together to form a complete system.

IMPORTANT — Requires a Compatible 1G Network Switch for Multi-Unit Deployments

When using multiple encoders and decoders on the same network, a layer 3 managed gigabit switch with IGMP snooping and 8KB jumbo frame support is required. Recommended switch models include the Cisco SG500, Cisco Catalyst series, Huawei S5720S-28X-PWR-LI-AC, ZyXEL GS2210, and Luxul AMS-4424P.

For point-to-point single connections, a switch is not required — you can connect the ETX and ERX directly.

IMPORTANT — The X4UH-KVM-ETX Requires Premium High Speed HDMI Cables

For best video performance at 4K60, use Premium High Speed HDMI cables. Maximum recommended HDMI cable lengths are 16ft (5m) for 4K60, 32ft (10m) for 4K30, and 50ft (15m) for 1080p60.

Ports and Panel Layout

Port / LED / Button	Location	Function
RESET	Front panel	Press and hold after powering on until the POWER LED and LINK LED flash simultaneously, then release to reset the device to factory settings.
POWER LED (Red)	Front panel	Light on: System is powered on (POE or DC power supply). Light off: System is powered off.
LINK LED (Green)	Front panel	Light on: Encoder and Decoder are connected and video signal is being transmitted. Light flashes: Connected but no video signal transmitted. Light off: Not connected.
LED Screen	Front panel	Displays the Encoder ID by default. Shows configuration options during setup.
CH SELECT (UP/DOWN)	Front panel	Used to set the Encoder ID and other configuration settings.
USB 2.0 DEVICE (x2)	Front panel	Connect to USB 2.0 devices.
USB HOST	Front panel	USB-B connector for connecting a PC.
IR OUT	Rear panel	IR signal output port. IR level can be set to 5V or 12V (default) via panel buttons.
IR IN	Rear panel	IR signal input port. IR level can be set to 5V or 12V (default) via panel buttons.
RELAYS / DIGITAL IO	Rear panel	2-channel relay ports and 2-channel GPIO ports for contact control. VCC output is 12V or 5V configurable.
RS-232	Rear panel	RS-232 serial port supporting command pass-through and local serial port control.
AUDIO IN	Rear panel	Analog audio input. Can be embedded into the HDMI signal or looped out via AUDIO OUT.
AUDIO OUT	Rear panel	Analog audio output. Outputs audio extracted from HDMI IN (LPCM) or audio from the Decoder's AUDIO IN port in unicast mode.
SPDIF OUT	Rear panel	S/PDIF optical audio output. Outputs ARC or S/PDIF audio returned from the Decoder when both units are set to the matching audio return mode.
HDMI OUT	Rear panel	HDMI local loop output port. Connect to an HDMI display such as a TV or monitor.
HDMI IN	Rear panel	HDMI signal input port. Connect to an HDMI source device such as a Blu-ray player or set-top box.
FIBER	Rear panel	Connect an optical fiber module to transmit signals directly or through a switch.
LAN (POE)	Rear panel	1G LAN port. Connect to a network switch. When the switch provides POE, the DC 12V adapter is not needed.
Data Signal Indicator (Yellow)	Rear panel	Flashing: Data is being transmitted. Off: Network cable is not properly connected.
Link Signal Indicator (Green)	Rear panel	On: Network cable is connected normally. Off: Network cable is not properly connected.
DC 12V	Rear panel	Power the device via DC 12V/2.5A adapter or via POE from the network switch.

Step-by-Step Setup

Connect your HDMI source device (Blu-ray player, gaming console, set-top box, etc.) to the HDMI IN port on the X4UH-KVM-ETX.
If you want a local monitor at the source location, connect a display to the HDMI OUT (loop output) port.
Connect the LAN (POE) port on the ETX to your 1G network switch using a CAT5E/6/6A/7 cable, or connect directly to the ERX Decoder for a point-to-point setup.
Alternatively, connect the FIBER port if using optical fiber cabling.
Power the ETX via the included DC 12V/2.5A adapter, or use a PoE-capable network switch (no DC adapter needed if PoE is supplied).
Set the Encoder ID using the CH SELECT (UP/DOWN) buttons on the front panel. The LED screen displays the current ID (000 by default).
Enable ARC/eARC on your source device if you are using audio return.
Use the CH SELECT buttons to configure EDID, IR mode, audio embedding mode, IP mode, Fiber/Copper mode, unicast/multicast mode, and audio return mode as needed. Press and hold UP + DOWN for 5 seconds to enter configuration mode.
Confirm the LINK LED is solid green, indicating a successful connection with the Decoder and active video signal.
For advanced system control, connect the ETX to the network managed by the X4UH-CB Controller Box, or access the built-in web interface via the device's IP address.

Cable Requirement

For network transmission, use CAT5E, CAT6, CAT6A, or CAT7 cables. Maximum transmission distance is 100 meters (328 feet). For HDMI connections, use Premium High Speed HDMI cables. Recommended maximum HDMI cable lengths: 16ft/5m at 4K60, 32ft/10m at 4K30, and 50ft/15m at 1080p60.

Front Panel Configuration (CH SELECT Buttons)

The CH SELECT UP and DOWN buttons on the front panel allow you to configure the ETX without a computer. To enter configuration mode, press and hold UP + DOWN together for 5 seconds until the LED screen shows "CFN". Then use UP/DOWN to navigate pages and press and hold UP + DOWN for 5 seconds on any page to enter and confirm settings.

Available configuration pages on the ETX:

Page 1 — Device ID: Set the Encoder ID (000–762). Default is 000.
Page 2 — EDID: Choose from 24 built-in EDID presets (E00–E23) or copy the EDID from the connected display. Default is E15 (4K60 444 Stereo 2.0 SDR).
Page 3 — IR Mode: Select IR1 (5V) or IR2 (12V, default).
Page 4 — Audio Embedding: Select HDI (HDMI audio, default) or ANA (analog audio embedding).
Page 5 — IP Mode: Select IP1 (static, default 169.254.100.254), IP2 (DHCP), or IP3 (auto IP, default).
Page 6 — Fiber/Copper Mode: Select CPP (copper, default) or FIB (fiber).
Page 7 — Multicast Mode: Select CA1 (unicast, default) or CA2 (multicast).
Page 8 — Audio Return Mode: Select C2C (eARC/ARC or S/PDIF return, default) or A2A (analog audio return, unicast only).

To exit any setting page quickly, hold down the DOWN button. The menu also auto-exits after 5 seconds of inactivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the X4UH-KVM-ETX do?

A: The ETX is the Encoder (transmitter) in the X4UH-KVM system. It takes an HDMI source signal and transmits it over a network cable or optical fiber to one or more X4UH-KVM-ERX Decoder units, up to 100 meters away.

Q: Can the ETX work without the ERX Decoder?

A: No. The ETX is the encoder half of the system and requires at least one X4UH-KVM-ERX Decoder to display or receive the signal. However, the ETX's HDMI OUT port provides a local loop output that works independently.

Q: Does the ETX support 4K?

A: Yes. The ETX supports video up to 4K@60Hz (4:4:4) with 18Gbps bandwidth, compliant with HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 2.2.

Q: What audio formats does the ETX support?

A: The ETX supports LPCM 2.0/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital (Plus, EX, TrueHD), and DTS (96/24, EX, High Res, HD Master, DSD).

Q: Can the ETX send audio back from the display to the source?

A: Yes. The ETX supports ARC/eARC and S/PDIF audio return. In unicast mode, analog audio return (A2A) is also supported. Both the ETX and ERX must be set to the matching audio return mode.

Q: Can I power the ETX without the DC adapter?

A: Yes. If your network switch supports PoE, the ETX can be powered directly over the network cable. The DC 12V adapter is not needed in that case.

Q: How do I check the IP address of the ETX?

A: Press and hold the UP button for 5 seconds. The LED screen will display the IP mode followed by the four octets of the IP address in sequence.

Q: What is the default IP mode?

A: The default is IP3 (Auto IP mode), with a network segment of 169.254.xxx.xxx. The default static IP (IP1) is 169.254.100.254.

Q: Can I control multiple ETX units from one interface?

A: Yes. Use the X4UH-CB Controller Box to manage all X4UH Series devices on a single network via a web GUI, or control via Telnet and SSH.

Q: Can the ETX be rack mounted?

A: Yes. The ETX includes mounting ears for installation in a 6U V2 rack (vertically, up to 10 units) or a 1U V2 rack (horizontally, two units side by side).