The problem with most HDMI cables available on the market is that they're either too expensive, too short, or both. There are several ways in which one can extend the length of a USB cable, and one of the simplest and easiest of them has just been presented by Gefen, in the form of their GefenTV Repeater for HDMI 1.3, a device that, if properly used, can actually allow users to extend the transmission distance for HDMI up to 100 meters.

The Repeater for HDMI 1.3 can be used in two configurations. In the basic one, it links two HDMI copper cables together to create a longer extension, up to 30 meters (100 feet). However, one can also combine up to 4 repeaters in a "daisy chain" manner, thus allowing the HDMI interface to reach up to a whopping 100 meters (360 feet). However, for this type of connection to work properly, you'll have to make sure that all the repeaters are powered.

The GefenTV Repeater for HDMI 1.3 can be very easily set up, even by people with little technical "expertise." Hence, all one has to do in order to make this thing work is connect a 50-foot long copper HDMI cable from an HDMI source (DVD player, set-top box, gaming console) to the HDMI input jack on the GefenTV Repeater. Then, a second HDMI cable runs from the GefenTV Repeater for HDMI 1.3's output jack to the HDTV display.

It's also interesting to mention that this device will not affect the quality of the video and audio feeds, since it supports both legacy HDMI version 1.2 features and the HDMI version 1.3 features such as Deep Color, 1080p HD resolution and 8-channel digital audio.

Now, for the pricing. Since there are probably no "unexpensive" products from Gefen, that's also the case with this particular adapter. Thus, if you really want to extend your HDMI interface in the manner mentioned above, you'll probably have to cough up around 200 US dollars, which is, after all, a pretty hefty sum, especially nowadays.


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