StarTech.com 4-Port HDMI Extender and Splitter Over CAT6, 4K 60Hz, Up to 230ft (70m), 1x4 HDMI over Ethernet Distribution Kit with IR and Power Over Cable

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £436.79 ex-VAT, this is the sort of kit that makes sense only when you *really* need proper HDMI extension over existing Cat6 and you need a neat 1-to-4 distribution with control back to the source. StarTech stuff is generally reliable in the “it just works” sense, and putting IR back through the same run is a big deal in meeting rooms, training suites, or retail/wayfinding setups where you want one media box feeding multiple displays without running lots of HDMI copper. The fact it supports 4K at 60Hz over longer Cat6 runs is also where these products either shine or disappoint—this is aimed at the “real installation” scenario, not desktop demos.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it if your use case is simple “one screen, short distance” or if you’re expecting it to behave like a no-compromise AV switch with every edge case imaginable. HDMI distribution/extension over Ethernet is always sensitive to cabling quality, termination standards, and how the Cat6 is actually installed (patch panels, couplers, wall sockets). If your site has messy cabling or you can’t guarantee end-to-end signal integrity, you can end up paying for troubleshooting rather than outcomes. Who should buy: resellers/IT integrators fitting multi-display rooms with pre-run Cat6, a single HDMI source, and a need for remote control. Who should avoid: small installs, uncertain cabling environments, or anyone who doesn’t truly need the 1-to-4 distribution + IR return.