Gefen from Core Brands today announced that it is now shipping its two new 4K Ultra HD Video Over IP products. The sender and receiver KVM units (the EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-TX and EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-RX) that are designed to send 4K video (and audio) content up to 3840×2160 at 60 Hz and 4:2:0 Chroma subsampling. This new pair utilizes a compression codec and support HDMI input resolutions up to 4K 60Hz 4:2:0 and output resolutions up to 4K 30Hz 4:4:4, HDCP 2.2 and 1.4, and 7.1 channels of HBR (High Bit Rate) “lossless” (this is the term Gefen uses) and LPCM digital audio up to 330 feet. These products are basically converting 4K video (at 9 Gbps based on their compatibility) to a 1 Gig Local Area Network distribution system — so, obviously, there is compression — in the range of 9:1.

One of the unique features of these new AV-over-IP products is that they include videowall control functionality in that they can create customized videowalls in any combination up to a 16×16 display array.

Additionally, both the sender and receiver units support the concurrent connection of a VGA and HDMI device. The sender acts as a switcher, allowing the user to select either the analog VGA input or digital HDMI input as a source for the video over IP network. A local VGA output is also available to monitor either selected signal. On the receiver, the VGA and HDMI outputs are both active and function as a video splitter, providing analog and digital outputs for nearly any display present. The VGA input and output support VESA resolutions up to 1920×1200 at 60Hz (WUXGA). This product also provides RS232 and two-way IR routing between the Sender and the Receiver units, allowing the transfer of IR commands and RS232 communications among all sources and the displays.

Both products can also take advantage of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) so both the Sender and Receiver units can be powered through a standard PoE-enabled IP network switch, without the need for external power supplies.

In addition to the current generation’s analog audio output capabilities, the new products feature an optical digital output that supplies audio. The new digital and analog audio break-out feature allows the audio from the HDMI output to be sent to a separate audio system. The receiver’s four USB outputs accommodate touch panels, keyboards and mice and a variety of other supported devices.

The cable run from a sender to a receiver can be up to 330 feet (100 meters). The receiver features a built-in 1-Gigabit switch, allowing the connection of additional receivers to provide daisy-chaining functionality. In applications such as digital signage, where there may be a need to replicate content on multiple displays throughout an installation, the ability to cascade receivers removes the requirement for additional cables to be connected directly to the main network switch, thereby optimizing cable runs and extending the range of these units far beyond the limits of a point-to-point video distribution system.

The sender and receiver can be used as KVM extenders in a one-to-one system, or as nodes in a virtual matrix environment where any source can be routed to any or all displays. The sender is in a 1U tall and half-rack-width enclosure. It can also be surface mounted or be placed on a shelf. The receiver can be surface-mounted or placed on a shelf. It is also rack-mountable using the rack tray, but features a low-profile enclosure that can fit in tight places when hiding the receiver is not an option. When using a Gefen IR Extender module, this receiver can be hidden away behind a display or in the equipment closet while still retaining IR access.

The EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-TX and EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-RX specs are here.