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Ethernet Signal Extenders: Send HDMI, USB & More Over Ethernet Cable
Need to get an HDMI signal to a projector 40 metres away? Or connect a USB printer that's two rooms over? Running specialist cables over those distances is expensive and awkward. Ethernet extenders solve this neatly — they convert your signal to travel over ordinary Cat5e or Cat6 cable, which is cheap, thin, and probably already running through your walls.
What Are Ethernet Extenders?
The concept is straightforward. You have two small boxes: a transmitter near your source device and a receiver at the far end. The transmitter converts the signal (HDMI, USB, whatever it may be) into data that travels over a standard ethernet cable, and the receiver converts it back. The distances involved — typically 50 to 150 metres — would be impossible or impractical with the original cable type.
The real advantage is cost. A 50-metre HDMI cable (if you can even find a reliable one) would cost a fortune and be stiff as a hosepipe. A 50-metre Cat6 patch cable costs a few quid and bends round corners without complaint. If you're running cable through walls, conduit, or ceiling voids, ethernet cable is far easier to work with than anything else.
Top tip: Many buildings already have ethernet cabling in the walls from previous network installations. You can repurpose these existing runs for signal extension — no new cable pulling required.
HDMI Extenders
This is by far the most common use case. Whether you're feeding a projector in a church hall, running digital signage in a shop, or simply want your Sky box in a cupboard whilst the telly's on the wall across the room, HDMI over ethernet is the practical solution.
Typical uses:
- Projectors in meeting rooms, school halls, and places of worship
- Digital signage and menu boards in retail and hospitality
- TVs mounted far from AV equipment
- Home cinema setups where kit lives in a separate cupboard
HDMI Extender over RJ45 Cat5e/Cat6 — up to 60m
Solid 1080p extender and a great entry point if you don't need 4K. Plug in, connect with a single ethernet cable, and you're away. No drivers, no configuration.
£39.91
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Aura HDMI 2.0 4K 60Hz Extender with Loop Out & IR — 70m
Full 4K at 60Hz over up to 70 metres. The HDMI loop-out lets you connect a local monitor at the transmitter end as well, and the IR pass-back means you can control your source device using the remote from the far end. Very handy for AV cupboard setups.
£80.77
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HDMI 2.0 4K HDR Extender with IR, HDMI Out & Audio ARC Optical — 70m
The premium choice if audio matters. Supports 4K HDR and includes an optical audio output at the receiver end, so you can feed a soundbar or amplifier separately. ARC support and IR pass-back round out a very capable unit.
£111.85
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HDMI Extender 1080P with IR & HDMI Output — 120m
When distance is the priority. This pushes 1080p up to 120 metres over a single Cat6 cable — enough to reach across a large warehouse, school, or commercial building. Includes IR pass-back and a local HDMI output at the transmitter.
£114.60
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4K or distance — pick your priority. Higher resolutions need more bandwidth, which limits range. If you need 4K, expect a maximum of around 70m. If distance matters more, a 1080p extender will reach 120m comfortably.
USB Extenders
USB cables top out at about 5 metres before the signal degrades. That's fine for a desk, but useless when you need to connect a printer down the corridor, a webcam in another room, or CCTV cameras around a building. USB over ethernet extenders solve this with ranges of 45 to 150 metres.
USB Over RJ45 Extender — up to 45m
Budget-friendly single-port USB extender. Does the job for a printer, scanner, or webcam at a sensible distance. Simple plug-and-play.
£12.25
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USB 2.0 Over RJ45 Ethernet Extender — up to 50m
Powered USB 2.0 extender with more reliable signal over the full 50-metre range. Better suited to devices that need consistent data throughput.
£56.96
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USB 2.0 4-Port Hub Extender Over RJ45 — up to 150m
Four USB ports at the remote end and an impressive 150-metre range. Ideal for connecting multiple peripherals at a distant workstation — keyboard, mouse, printer, and a spare port for good measure.
£66.32
View ProductKVM Extenders
A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) extender lets you operate a computer from a completely different location. The PC stays in a server room, comms cupboard, or wherever suits, and you sit at a desk with just a monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the receiver. Everything feels local, but the actual machine could be 120 metres away.
Common scenarios: server rooms where noise and heat make working uncomfortable, edit suites in broadcast, secure environments where the PC must stay locked away, and factory floors where you need a control terminal but don't want a full PC exposed to dust or vibration.
Aura HDMI 4K 30Hz & USB KVM Extender Over RJ45 — 120m
Extends HDMI video (4K at 30Hz) plus USB for keyboard and mouse over a single ethernet cable, up to 120 metres. Includes a local HDMI output at the transmitter end. A proper job for remote workstation setups.
£140.63
View ProductAudio/Video Extenders
Not everything is HDMI. If you're working with composite video and stereo audio — older CCTV systems, legacy AV equipment, or simple audio distribution — a balun-style extender does the trick without overcomplicating things.
Composite Video & Stereo Audio Extender Over Ethernet RJ45 Balun
Passive balun pair for extending composite video and stereo audio over a single ethernet cable. No power needed — just wire them up. Ideal for legacy CCTV or distributing audio to another room.
£28.69
View ProductHDMI Splitter/Extenders — One Source, Multiple Displays
Need the same picture on screens in several locations? A splitter/extender combines distribution with extension. One HDMI source feeds multiple receivers, each connected by its own ethernet cable run. Think pubs with multiple screens showing the match, retail signage across a shop floor, or information displays around a building.
HDMI Distribution Splitter Extender Over RJ45 — 1 In, 4 Out
Splits one HDMI source to four remote displays, each connected via its own ethernet cable. Supports 3D and 1080p. Perfect for multi-screen signage or distributing a presentation to several rooms simultaneously.
£215.98
View ProductQuick Comparison
| Type | Signal | Max Range | From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI (1080p) | Video + Audio | 120m | £39.91 | Projectors, signage, distant TVs |
| HDMI (4K) | Video + Audio | 70m | £80.77 | 4K displays, home cinema |
| USB | Data | 150m | £12.25 | Printers, webcams, peripherals |
| KVM | Video + USB | 120m | £140.63 | Remote workstations, server rooms |
| Composite AV | Video + Audio | 100m | £28.69 | Legacy CCTV, basic audio/video |
| HDMI Splitter | 1-to-4 Video | 50m per output | £215.98 | Multi-screen signage, pubs, retail |
Cable choice matters: Cat5e will work for most extenders at shorter distances. For 4K signals or runs over 50 metres, use Cat6 — the tighter specifications give you more headroom. Always use solid-core cable for permanent in-wall runs and stranded/patch cable for flexible connections at each end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ethernet cable do I need for extenders?
Cat5e is the minimum for most extenders and works well for 1080p signals at moderate distances. For 4K or longer runs, go with Cat6 — it handles higher bandwidth more reliably. Use shielded cable (STP) in environments with lots of electrical interference, such as near fluorescent lighting or heavy machinery.
Do extenders add lag or delay?
Technically yes, but for most practical purposes it's unnoticeable. We're talking about a few milliseconds at most. For presentations, signage, TV watching, and general computing, you won't spot any difference. The one exception: competitive gaming at a high level, where even tiny delays matter. For casual gaming, it's absolutely fine.
Can I use existing ethernet runs in my building?
Yes, and this is one of the biggest advantages. If your building already has Cat5e or Cat6 cabling in the walls from a previous network setup, you can plug an extender straight into those runs. Just make sure the cable isn't also carrying network data at the same time — extenders need a dedicated cable between transmitter and receiver.
Do both ends need power?
In most cases, yes. The transmitter and receiver each need their own power supply, usually a small 5V or 12V adapter included in the box. The exception is passive baluns (like our composite AV extender), which don't need any external power at all. When planning your installation, make sure there's a mains socket available at both ends.
Looking for ethernet cables to use with your extender? We stock Cat5e and Cat6 in every length from 0.25m to 50m, in multiple colours. Browse our full ethernet cable range.
Just looking to join two ethernet cables together? See our guide to Ethernet Cable Couplers & Joiners.