Inakustik Optical HDMI 2.1 PRO 5m
Specifications and features
Overview
HDMI 2.1 requires such a high data rate that even the slightest weakness in the cable shows up on screen: the picture cuts out, the screen goes black for a few seconds, or the format is renegotiated to a lower setting. This in-akustik cable carries video data over optical fiber and keeps copper for everything else. It carries Ultra High Speed certification and draws power from the source’s HDMI port, with no external power supply.
Fiber for the picture, copper for everything else
The cable is hybrid. Each connector contains a small electronic circuit. At the source end, it converts the electrical signal into light pulses, and at the display end, it performs the reverse conversion. The high-speed channels, which carry the picture and multichannel sound, travel through the fibers. The copper conductors handle power for these electronics and service signals: CEC control (a single remote to control several devices), EDID exchange (the source reads the formats supported by the display), the ARC/eARC audio return channel and the 100 Mbit/s HDMI Ethernet link.
This division has a practical consequence. Light is not affected by electromagnetic interference, so the video signal remains stable even when the cable shares a conduit with power cables or runs alongside a powered subwoofer. in-akustik specifies a range of 50 m for ARC and 30 m for eARC, which run over copper. At this length, it remains well within those limits.
A connection direction to follow
The integrated electronics require the cable to be connected in a specific direction. Each end is marked: one goes to the source (Blu-ray player, console, set-top box, home theater receiver), the other to the TV or projector. If the cable is connected the wrong way around, no picture appears. When using a concealed conduit, check this before pulling the cable through.
The direction only applies to the video stream. Sound returning from the TV to a receiver or soundbar via eARC travels over copper and works normally, regardless of the direction in which the picture travels. With a receiver positioned between the sources and the display, the “source” end connects to the receiver’s HDMI output and the “display” end to the TV’s eARC input.
The full 48 Gbit/s of HDMI 2.1
With 48 Gbit/s of bandwidth, the cable supports all formats provided for by the standard: 4K at 120 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz, and up to 10K at 120 Hz with DSC (Display Stream Compression, visually lossless compression applied by the source). Color is transmitted in 4:4:4 at 12 bits per component, without subsampling, keeping text and interfaces displayed by a PC sharp. HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision formats are all supported, as is the HDCP 2.3 protection required by streaming services and Ultra HD discs.
For gaming, the cable transmits the HDMI 2.1 features of recent consoles and graphics cards. VRR matches the display’s refresh rate to the game’s frame rate to eliminate screen tearing. ALLM switches the TV to game mode as soon as the console turns on. QMS reduces the black screen when changing refresh rates, while QFT reduces display latency. For audio, it carries high-resolution formats, uncompressed Dolby Atmos over eARC, DSD, and automatic lip sync.
All these features remain optional in the HDMI 2.1 standard. The cable simply transmits them: both the source and the display must support them. On many TVs, only certain HDMI inputs support the full data rate, and an enhanced signal setting often needs to be enabled in the menu for the selected input.
Ultra High Speed certification and metal connectors
The cable carries Ultra Certified certification from HDMI Licensing. This program tests each length within the same cable family, so certification for one model does not apply to another length. It guarantees the 48 Gbit/s data rate as well as resistance to interference with Wi-Fi and nearby wireless networks.
The connectors have an all-metal housing that protects the conversion electronics during handling. The 24-carat gold-plated contacts resist oxidation through repeated connections, but this plating has no effect on signal quality. The jacket remains flexible and bends easily, an advantage when routing it through an electrical conduit or behind a wall-mounted TV, where a copper HDMI 2.1 cable is often stiff. The cable complies with CE, REACH and RoHS standards.
Technical Specifications
Optical Specifications
- EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) compatible
- Subsampling support: 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0
- Color depth: 36 bits (3 × 12 bits)
- 120 Hz compatible
- DSC (Display Stream Compression) compatible
- ARC/eARC range:
- ARC (Audio Return Channel): up to 50 m
- eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel): up to 30 m
- Fully metal connector
Physical Characteristics
- Cable diameter: 4 mm
- Extremely flexible
- Easy to install
- Connection direction indicated
Power Supply
- Powered via HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) interface
- No external power supply required
Compliance
- Standards: CE, REACH, RoHS
Frequently asked questions
Why choose fiber when a copper cable can cover this distance?
in-akustik also offers Ultra High Speed copper cables in its Premium series, up to the same length. At maximum bandwidth, passive copper approaches its limits over several metres and becomes sensitive to connector quality and nearby interference. Fibre retains a comfortable margin and is immune to interference. It is particularly worthwhile for an in-wall connection that is difficult to replace once installed, or for a 4K 120 Hz projector.
Does the cable work with HDMI 2.0 or older devices?
Yes. It remains compatible with previous versions of the HDMI standard, and the connection then adjusts to the capabilities of the older device. An HDMI 2.0 player connected to an HDMI 2.1 TV will work at 4K 60 Hz, just as with any cable.
How do I connect the cable to a soundbar using eARC?
When the sources are connected to the TV and the soundbar only receives audio, the “source” end goes into the soundbar’s HDMI eARC port and the “display” end into the TV’s eARC port. Audio travels back from the TV to the soundbar through the copper conductors, regardless of the video direction. You also need to enable eARC in the TV settings.
Can the cable be run through an existing conduit?
Yes, provided the conduit can accommodate the factory-fitted HDMI plug, which cannot be removed. For conduits that are too narrow, in-akustik offers an MPO version of its HDMI 2.1 fibre optic cable, with detachable HDMI plugs that are reattached once the cable has been pulled through. With both versions, it is best to avoid tight bends, which fibre tolerates less well than copper.
Can the cable’s Ethernet connection replace a network cable?
The 100 Mbps HDMI Ethernet feature is supported, but very few devices use it. For 4K streaming or console updates, an RJ45 Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi remains the solution to plan for.
How can I check that the cable is certified?
Ultra Certified cables have a label on their packaging with a QR code and a hologram. The official HDMI Cable Certification app scans this code and confirms that it is a tested model in the specified length.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: 009245005
- GTIN / EAN: 4001985519897
