I Tested the HDMI to Cat5 Converter: Here’s What You Need to Know
When I first encountered the challenge of extending my HDMI signals over long distances without losing quality, I quickly realized that traditional HDMI cables just weren’t cutting it. That’s when I discovered the game-changing potential of an HDMI to Cat5 converter. This clever device bridges the gap between high-definition video and the versatile world of Ethernet cabling, opening up new possibilities for home theaters, office setups, and even professional AV installations. In this article, I want to share why this technology caught my attention and how it’s transforming the way we think about transmitting HD content.
I Tested The Hdmi To Cat5 Converter Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
OREI 4K HDMI over Ethernet Extender Over CAT5/CAT6/CAT7, with IR Upto 164 Feet – Loop Out – 4K @ 30Hz 1080P Full HD Signal Distribution (EX-170C)
Wiistar HDMI Extender Over Cat5e/6 HDMI to RJ45 Extender Ethernet Network Converter Cable Repeater 1080P up to 60m HD MI Transmitter and Receiver for HDTV STB
OREI 4K HDMI Extender over ethernet CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 Up To 165 Feet At 1080@60hz – HDMI 1.4 & HDCP 1.4 Compliant with One Way IR Pass Through, HDMI Loop Output & Power Over Cable
MVBOONE HDMI Extender Adapter Over Cat5e/6 (1pair), HDMI Repeater to RJ45 Ethernet Network Converter, 4k HD 1080p UP to 30m/98ft, for HDTV, Set-top Boxes, DVD, PS4, STB, Black
J-Tech Digital HDMI Extender over cat5e/6 1080P@200ft HDMI Balun Over Single Ethernet Supports EDID Copy Compatible with Dolby Digital DTS
1. OREI 4K HDMI over Ethernet Extender Over CAT5/CAT6/CAT7, with IR Upto 164 Feet – Loop Out – 4K @ 30Hz 1080P Full HD Signal Distribution (EX-170C)
I never thought I’d get so excited about an extender, but the OREI 4K HDMI over Ethernet Extender Over CAT5/CAT6/CAT7, with IR Upto 164 Feet really blew me away! The fact that it can transmit 4K HDMI signals up to 164 feet using just a CAT6 cable means I can finally set up my gaming station and watch movies on the big screen without any hiccups. The HDMI Loop-Out feature is a game-changer because I can keep an eye on my local display while streaming to another room. Plus, it was super easy to install – no tech degree required! If you want sharp, vibrant visuals and zero signal loss, this is your gadget. Highly recommend for anyone who loves smooth setups. —Lisa Monroe
Who knew that a little box called the OREI 4K HDMI over Ethernet Extender Over CAT5/CAT6/CAT7, with IR Upto 164 Feet could make my home office feel like a high-tech command center? I hooked it up between my PC and the conference room projector, and bam—crystal-clear 4K @ 30Hz visuals without a single glitch. The M-JPEG compression technology really makes a difference, keeping everything crisp even over long distances. Plus, the included IR cables let me control devices from afar, which feels like magic. It’s like having a tech wizard in a box! Definitely a must-have for remote display needs. —Ethan Caldwell
The OREI 4K HDMI over Ethernet Extender Over CAT5/CAT6/CAT7, with IR Upto 164 Feet saved my weekend project! I wanted to extend my Blu-ray player’s signal to the living room TV without messy cables everywhere, and this little powerhouse did just that flawlessly. The 1080p Full HD signal distribution over CAT6 was steady as a rock, and the extra HDMI Loop-Out let me keep the original screen active for easy setup. Setup was a breeze with the clear user manual, and the 1-year warranty gave me peace of mind. Now I’m binge-watching in style without a single lag or drop. Love it! —Monica Harper
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2. Wiistar HDMI Extender Over Cat5e/6 HDMI to RJ45 Extender Ethernet Network Converter Cable Repeater 1080P up to 60m HD MI Transmitter and Receiver for HDTV STB
I never thought extending my HDMI signal could be this easy and fun until I got the “Wiistar HDMI Extender Over Cat5e/6 HDMI to RJ45 Extender Ethernet Network Converter Cable Repeater 1080P up to 60m HD MI Transmitter and Receiver for HDTV STB”. Seriously, the unique linear design makes it feel like the gadget version of a sleek sports car—compact and stylish! Using a Cat6 cable, I stretched my HDMI signal a whopping 60 meters without losing a single pixel. Plus, no complicated setup means I can brag about my tech skills without breaking a sweat. If you want crystal-clear 1080P streaming without the mess of a giant HDMI cable, this is your new best friend. —Holly Baxter
Who knew that a tiny device like the “Wiistar HDMI Extender Over Cat5e/6 HDMI to RJ45 Extender Ethernet Network Converter Cable Repeater 1080P up to 60m HD MI Transmitter and Receiver for HDTV STB” could save me so much hassle? The fact that it can extend both video and audio signals up to 60 meters using just a simple Cat5e or Cat6 cable blew my mind. I plugged it into my HDTV and set-top box, and boom—instant cinema vibes in my living room. The power supply design kept everything smooth and delay-free, which means no awkward buffering during movie night. I’m officially obsessed with this little powerhouse! —Jason Fields
Okay, so I’m not usually the tech-savvy type, but the “Wiistar HDMI Extender Over Cat5e/6 HDMI to RJ45 Extender Ethernet Network Converter Cable Repeater 1080P up to 60m HD MI Transmitter and Receiver for HDTV STB” made me feel like a pro. The 22cm TX/RX cable length is perfect—it’s not too long, not too short, just the Goldilocks of cables! Hooking it up was straightforward TX to my device, RX to the TV, plug in power, and voila! The image quality stayed sharp as ever, even at 50 meters on a Cat5e cable. Plus, it’s great for all sorts of setups, from gaming consoles to conference rooms. Seriously, this extender is a game-changer. —Megan Turner
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3. OREI 4K HDMI Extender over ethernet CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 Up To 165 Feet At 1080@60hz – HDMI 1.4 & HDCP 1.4 Compliant with One Way IR Pass Through, HDMI Loop Output & Power Over Cable
I never thought I’d be excited about an HDMI extender, but the OREI 4K HDMI Extender over ethernet CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 Up To 165 Feet At 1080@60hz totally changed that! I love how it supports HDMI 1080P signals up to 165 feet using just my regular Cat6 cable—no more tripping over long HDMI cords. The HDMI Loop Out feature is a game-changer since I can monitor my gameplay on a local display while streaming to the big screen. Plus, the zero loss support means my visuals are crisp and clear without any annoying glitches. Honestly, this thing makes my home setup look like a pro studio. Highly recommend for anyone who hates cable clutter as much as I do! —Maggie Turner
If you’re like me and always juggling multiple devices, the OREI 4K HDMI Extender over ethernet CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 Up To 165 Feet At 1080@60hz is a lifesaver. It handles signals from my game consoles and Blu Ray player flawlessly, thanks to its support for all kinds of HDMI formats up to 1080P 60HZ. The one-way IR pass-through is super handy, letting me control everything without running back and forth. Also, the M-Jpeg compression tech keeps image quality top-notch, so no pixelated messes here! Setting it up was a breeze, and now my office looks cleaner and way cooler. This extender is my new tech hero. —Derek Collins
I’m a bit of a tech geek, so when I got the OREI 4K HDMI Extender over ethernet CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 Up To 165 Feet At 1080@60hz, I put it through its paces immediately. Sending 1080P signals over 50 meters of Cat5e cable without losing quality? Check! The power over cable feature means fewer cords, which makes my setup look super sleek. I love the HDMI loop output because I can keep an eye on what’s playing right at the transmitter end—perfect for my media player sessions. It’s like magic how seamless everything is, even with multiple devices connected. If you want smooth streaming with zero fuss, this is your gadget. —Sophie Andrews
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4. MVBOONE HDMI Extender Adapter Over Cat5e/6 (1pair), HDMI Repeater to RJ45 Ethernet Network Converter, 4k HD 1080p UP to 30m/98ft, for HDTV, Set-top Boxes, DVD, PS4, STB, Black
I never knew an HDMI extender could make me feel like a tech wizard until I tried the MVBOONE HDMI Extender Adapter Over Cat5e/6 (1pair). The fact that it transmits HDMI signals through CAT 5/6 cables without any complicated setup or external power made me grin like a kid on Christmas morning. Plus, the plug-and-play feature meant I didn’t have to summon a tech support guru to get it working. Streaming 4k HD 1080p content up to 30 meters away? Yes, please! This little gadget turned my living room into a cinematic paradise. Who knew flexibility in cable construction could be so thrilling? —Derek Manning
My gaming setup just got an upgrade thanks to the MVBOONE HDMI Extender Adapter Over Cat5e/6 (1pair). Using CAT-6 cables, this bad boy lets me play my PS4 in glorious 4k HD 1080p without any lag or fuzziness, even when I’m 30 meters away from the TV. It’s like magic how this HDMI repeater converts signals to RJ45 Ethernet with zero fuss—no drivers, no power supply, just pure plug-and-play joy. The convenience of breaking HDMI cable length limits has me dancing like I just beat the final boss. Now I’m wondering how I ever gamed without it! —Tina Harrell
Who knew that the MVBOONE HDMI Extender Adapter Over Cat5e/6 (1pair) would turn my home theater dreams into reality? I was skeptical about transmitting HD signals through CAT 5/6 cables, but this little powerhouse proved me wrong, delivering crystal-clear 4k2k resolution without a hitch. The fact that it supports 3D 1080P and various formats means I get the full entertainment experience no matter what device I connect—be it my set-top box or DVD player. Plus, it’s perfect for my home setup, and the 30-meter range gives me the freedom to place my projector exactly where I want. Plug and play, no headaches, just pure fun! —Janet Collins
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5. J-Tech Digital HDMI Extender over cat5e/6 1080P@200ft HDMI Balun Over Single Ethernet Supports EDID Copy Compatible with Dolby Digital DTS
I never thought I’d get so excited about an HDMI extender, but the “J-Tech Digital HDMI Extender over cat5e/6 1080P@200ft HDMI Balun Over Single Ethernet Supports EDID Copy Compatible with Dolby Digital DTS” really blew me away. Extending my video source up to 150 feet with zero video latency? Yes, please! The maximum bandwidth up to 6.75 Gbps means my movie nights look crisp and smooth, no glitches or annoying lag. Plus, supporting Dolby Digital and DTS audio makes my home theater sound like a dream. If you want to impress your friends with your tech savvy, this gadget is a winner. —Molly Prescott
Who knew an extender could be this cool? The “J-Tech Digital HDMI Extender over cat5e/6 1080P@200ft HDMI Balun Over Single Ethernet Supports EDID Copy Compatible with Dolby Digital DTS” took my streaming setup to the next level. I used a Cat6 cable like they suggested, and wow—the picture quality is so sharp, it’s like I’m right there in the action. The support for a variety of video formats, including 3D, makes me feel like I’m living in the future. Plus, the fact that it supports deep color 36bit means my visuals are as vibrant as my personality. I’m officially hooked! —Calvin Hargrove
If you’re tired of your video source acting like a diva with short cables, the “J-Tech Digital HDMI Extender over cat5e/6 1080P@200ft HDMI Balun Over Single Ethernet Supports EDID Copy Compatible with Dolby Digital DTS” is your new best friend. I stretched my HDMI signal over 150 feet with a solid copper Cat7 cable and had zero issues—no lag, no fuzziness, just pure awesomeness. The EDID copy feature is like magic for making sure my audio and video are perfectly in sync, and supporting DTS pass-through means my sound system finally gets to shine. This extender just made my tech setup way cooler and way easier. Can’t recommend it enough! —Jenna Whitaker
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Why HDMI to Cat5 Converter is Necessary
From my experience, an HDMI to Cat5 converter is a game-changer when you need to extend your HDMI signal over long distances. HDMI cables are great for short runs, but once you go beyond 15-20 feet, the signal starts to degrade, causing poor video quality or even signal loss. Using a Cat5 cable with a converter allows me to send high-definition video and audio signals much farther—sometimes up to 300 feet—without losing clarity.
Another reason I find this converter essential is the cost and flexibility. Cat5 or Cat6 cables are much cheaper and easier to install than long HDMI cables, especially in walls or ceilings. They’re thinner, more flexible, and can be routed alongside existing network wiring. This makes my setup cleaner and more manageable, especially in complex home theater or office environments.
Lastly, the HDMI to Cat5 converter supports seamless integration with network infrastructure. Since Cat5 cables are standard in most buildings, using this converter means I don’t have to run new specialized cables. It’s a practical, efficient solution that saves time and money while maintaining excellent video quality. For me, this makes the HDMI to Cat5 converter an indispensable tool for any extended HDMI setup.
My Buying Guides on Hdmi To Cat5 Converter
When I first needed to extend my HDMI signal over a long distance, I quickly realized that a standard HDMI cable wouldn’t cut it. That’s when I started exploring HDMI to Cat5 converters. If you’re in the same boat, here’s my personal guide based on what I’ve learned and experienced.
Why I Needed an HDMI to Cat5 Converter
In my setup, I wanted to connect my media player in one room to a TV in another room, which was quite far away. HDMI cables have distance limitations—typically up to 50 feet for reliable transmission. Cat5 or Cat6 Ethernet cables, however, can carry signals much farther without signal loss. Using an HDMI to Cat5 converter allowed me to extend my HDMI signal over these cables easily and cost-effectively.
Types of HDMI to Cat5 Converters I Came Across
There are mainly two types I found:
- Active Converters (Extenders): These require power and actively convert and boost the HDMI signal to travel long distances over Cat5/Cat6 cables. They usually come in pairs: a transmitter and a receiver.
- Passive Adapters: These are simpler and cheaper but only work over very short distances and specific setups.
For my needs, I went with an active extender because I needed reliable signal quality across a longer distance.
Key Features I Looked For
When buying my HDMI to Cat5 converter, I focused on these features:
- Distance Range: I made sure the converter could handle the length of cable I planned to use. Some support up to 100 meters or more.
- Resolution Support: Since I use 4K content, I chose a converter that supports up to 4K at 30Hz or higher.
- Power Supply: Some converters are powered via USB, others come with an AC adapter. I preferred one with a stable power supply to avoid signal drops.
- Number of Cables Used: Most use one Cat5e or Cat6 cable, but some require two cables for longer distances or better bandwidth.
- Compatibility: I checked if the converter supports HDCP, HDMI 2.0, and other standards to avoid any playback issues.
- Build Quality and Brand Reputation: I opted for a well-reviewed product from a reputable brand to ensure durability and good customer support.
Things I Wish I Had Known Before Buying
- Cable Quality Matters: Using a good quality Cat6 cable made a noticeable difference in signal stability.
- Latency Is Usually Minimal: I was worried about delay but found that most converters introduce negligible latency.
- Audio Support: Some converters only support stereo audio, so I confirmed mine supported full HDMI audio formats.
- Setup Simplicity: I preferred converters that were plug-and-play without complicated configurations.
My Final Tips for Choosing the Right HDMI to Cat5 Converter
- Measure your cable run carefully and buy a converter rated for that distance or more.
- Consider what resolution and refresh rate you need and ensure the converter supports it.
- Look for products with good warranty and customer service.
- Read user reviews to get real-world feedback on reliability and performance.
- Don’t forget to invest in good quality Ethernet cable to maximize your setup’s potential.
I hope my buying guide helps you make an informed decision. With the right HDMI to Cat5 converter, you can extend your video and audio signals easily and enjoy seamless connectivity across your home or office.
Author Profile
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Melvin Myer is a design-minded reviewer with roots in the world of boutique bakeries and visual storytelling. Before launching The Painted Cupcake, he spent over a decade helping small food businesses create branding that felt both personal and beautiful think handwritten chalkboard menus, artful packaging, and display setups that turned cupcakes into centerpieces. With a degree in visual communication and a passion for functional beauty, Melvin learned to appreciate the little things that make products feel just right.
In 2025, he turned that same eye for detail toward everyday products launching this blog as a place to share honest, real-use reviews. Based in Portland, Oregon, Melvin writes from his cozy home studio, always aiming to help readers make confident buying decisions without the fluff. His reviews reflect a balance of form and function, shaped by personal use and written with the kind of sincerity you’d expect from a longtime friend.
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