Anyone who's planned AV cabling for a meeting room knows the computer doesn't always end up next to the screen. It might be tucked into a cabinet, with a USB camera on the table and the display mounted on the wall. Now you've got both HDMI and USB to think about. The USB3-EXB130HR-K is an HDMI extender over CAT6a that supports up to 5K video and USB 3.2 data. It's built for setups where the equipment needs a bit of distance between it.
What Is an HDMI & USB 3.2 Extender?
An HDMI and USB extender lets a computer stay away from the display without requiring separate long cables for each connection. The computer plugs into the transmitter, and the receiver goes near the display and USB devices. The USB3-EXB130HR-K sends HDMI video and USB data through a single CAT6a cable. This is useful when the cable run passes through a wall or ceiling, where routing separate HDMI and USB cables can take more work.
Why Long-Distance HDMI and USB Extension Matters in Modern AV Systems
Room layouts don't always make life easy for the installer. A classroom computer may need to stay at the instructor's desk, while the display is fixed to the front wall. In a conference room, the camera might sit near the people speaking, nowhere near the computer. Standard HDMI and USB cables have distance limits, so simply buying longer cables isn't always the answer. OREI’s newest USB extension over ethernet solution gives installers a way to extend both signals over CAT6a and place equipment where the room actually needs it.
Key Features of USB3-EXB130HR-K
OREI’s HDMI USB extender supports 4K video over distances of up to 130ft (40m). For 5K, the maximum distance is 115ft (35m). USB 3.2 Gen 1 data rates reach up to 2.5Gbps, supporting peripherals such as cameras, storage drives, and keyboards.
There is also an HDMI loop-out on the transmitter for a local monitor. The receiver provides three USB ports for devices at the display end. Supported formats include HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Vision LLM, and HLG. These are worth checking against the equipment being installed, particularly when the system needs to handle higher resolutions over a longer cable run.
How USB3-EXB130HR-K Works in an AV Installation
The computer connects to the transmitter through HDMI and USB. A CAT6a cable runs between the transmitter and receiver, carrying the video, USB data, and power. At the far end, the receiver connects to the display and any USB peripherals placed there. Audio equipment can be connected through the extender's audio interfaces.
The system also supports bi-directional 24V Power over Cable (PoC). Power can come from either end, so the installer can choose the more practical location for the power supply instead of having to power both units separately.
Audio, Control, and Integration Capabilities
Video is only part of the job in some rooms. The USB3-EXB130HR-K has built-in audio de-embedding, allowing audio to be extracted for external speakers or an audio system. RS-232 pass-through supports control-system communication with remote equipment. This can matter when the extender has to work with audio and control hardware that's already installed, rather than replacing the whole setup.
Ideal Applications for USB3-EXB130HR-K
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Conference rooms: Keep the computer away from the main display while connecting USB cameras and collaboration devices for hybrid meetings.
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Classrooms and training facilities: Extend the instructor's computer connection to a display and remote USB equipment.
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BYOD environments: Support room layouts where users bring their own computers.
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Commercial AV installation: Connect source equipment and displays positioned at different distances.
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Control rooms and collaborative spaces: Link centrally located computers with remote displays and USB peripherals.
Benefits of Using USB3-EXB130HR-K for Professional AV Projects
Running HDMI and USB over Ethernet, through a single CAT6a cable, cuts down on the separate signal cables needed between the source and display. Installers also have more room to work with when positioning equipment, with 4K support up to 130ft (40m) and 5K up to 115ft (35m). USB 3.2 Gen 1 data rates of up to 2.5Gbps support connected peripherals across that link.
Power is another consideration during installation. With bi-directional PoC, either unit can supply power, which gives installers another option when planning the setup. The CAT6a run may also be useful if equipment placement changes or the room gets an AV upgrade later, as long as the revised setup stays within the system's limits.
The Future of HDMI over CAT6 is Here
The USB3-EXB130HR-K extends HDMI video and USB 3.2 data over CAT6a, with support for 5K resolution. Audio de-embedding, RS-232 pass-through, and bi-directional PoC add options for integration and power. For commercial AV installations which require working with equipment that needs to sit apart, it offers one way to handle those connections over a single cable.
