QED is proud to present an update to its Performance Active HDMI cable designed specifically for use with Ultra High Definition (UHD) video over cable runs up to 15m in length Until now it has been impossible to achieve the data rate necessary to support fully uncompressed UHD video over the long distances required for modern high performance projector and home cinema installations. The maximum uncompressed resolution of Active Filter TM Technology based on HDMI 1.4b was 4K30 and although it could convey 4K60 video this was always automatically compressed by the source equipment, usually to 4K60 4:2:0. The new 2.0b compatible cable is easily capable of transmitting uncompressed 4K60 UHD. 4K60 UHD With the introduction of the HDMI 2.0 standard in 2013 the maximum data rate of the HDMI link increased from 10.2Gb/s to 18Gb/s. This was to accommodate the new uncompressed 4K 60Hz video standard (termed 4K60 4:4:4). The diagrams below show how Active Filter™ Technology enhances the signal. The trace on the left shows the signal delivered by a typical 15m passive cable at the High Speed UHD data rate of 18Gb/s. There should be an open eye shape in the trace which avoids the red area, showing a clear difference between a high and low data signal. The trace clearly does not display this feature and so the HDMI signal would be unintelligible to the display electronics and picture sync would be lost rendering the cable useless. The trace on the right shows how the same cable can be made to convey a perfect signal by using Active Filter TM Technology. The eye (red hexagon) is immediately apparent meaning that the TV can distinguish easily between a “1” and a “0” meaning the picture sync can be easily established. Cable lengths from 8m to 15m During manufacture the chip set analyses the four individual 99.999% Oxygen Free Copper twisted pairs to which it is connected and automatically adjusts its filter parameters to optimise the performance of the complete cable assembly. In this way each Performance Active cable is uniquely configured to provide guaranteed High Speed HDMI 2.0b performance over runs up to and including 15m. QED Guarantee Like other electronic products QED active cables come with a one year QED Guarantee. Consumers can extend the guarantee period to two years by visiting www.qed.co.uk and registering the product at the time of purchase. HDR HDMI version 2.0b, launched in 2016, introduced High Dynamic Range (HDR) support for equipment offering greater contrast ratio and more brightness steps for a smother picture with more detail in both bright and shadowy areas. A related technology usually associated with HDR is Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), which offers an expanded colour palette. Both technologies are supported by the new QED Performance Active HDMI cables. Active Filter™ Technology The new QED Performance Active HDMI has upgraded Active Filter™ Technology for full HDMI 2.0b compliance. A dedicated integrated circuit is used that has been especially developed to provide uncompressed UHD 4K60 and HDR performance along with support for other HDMI technologies such as Ethernet, Audio Return Channel (ARC) and HDCP 2.2 content protection. Clearly labeled plugs The integrated circuit is built unobtrusively into the plug at each end of the cable to make the cable easy to run though the fabric of a building. It is important the cable is connected the right way around so the plugs are clearly labelled ‘DISPLAY’ and ‘SOURCE’ to ensure the cable is always installed correctly. No power supply required There is no need for an external power supply because a patented “power harvesting” technique is used to allow the cable to draw current from the source equipment it is connected to.
