Fiber-optic HDMI cable assemblies set for growth

Optical fiber versus copper has found another battleground in HDMI cable assemblies. Fiber-optic technology offers faster transmission with no signal attenuation far beyond the 20-meter limit typically associated with copper-based HDMI. It also eliminates extender baluns, which standard HDMI cables require as a solution when distance is a problem, for a stand-alone connectivity option.

In addition to these advantages, fiber-optic cables - because they transmit through pulses of light - are not susceptible to the electromagnetic or radio frequency interference that is a real challenge for today's electronics. This means delivery of higher-quality audio and video resolution is consistent even over distances of more than 150 meters, without signal loss. The technology also results in thinner and more lightweight cabling.

Considered a limitation, fiber-optic cables have a directional flow, with a transmitter end and a receiver end. High cost also currently makes them a top-of-the-line option, narrowing current usage to high-end A/V and gaming equipment. However, this is likely to change soon, with industry analysts predicting fiber-optic will replace copper-based HDMI cabling in the next few years.

Contributing to this upbeat projection is the popularity of HDMI 2.1, which boasts a bandwidth of 48Gbps and support for 8K resolution that will be better enabled over longer distances using optical fiber.

US-based Cable Matters, a key global player in this field, has introduced an active optical HDMI cable. In lengths of 5 and 10 meters, the product was said to be "one of the longest certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cables on the market with full 8K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz resolution support as specified in HDMI 2.1" at the time of its release in March 2021. It is also the first active optical HDMI cable in Microsoft's Designed for Xbox official hardware partner program, according to the company's president and CEO Jeff Jiang.

Despite the pandemic, the fiber-optic HDMI category reached $8 billion in 2020 as estimated by Research and Markets. It is predicted to reach $16.5 billion in 2027, increasing by 10.9 percent CAGR from 2020. Besides the US, the upward trend is expected in Canada and Germany and Japan, at 9.4, 8.5 and 7.5 percent CAGR respectively.

Expected growth in China

China's market size will be $3.5 billion in 2027, posting 14.2 percent CAGR from 2020, according to Research and Markets.

Companies interviewedby Global Sources Electronic Components are looking forward to an annual rise in sales of 10 to 15 percent beginning this year and through 2022. They are also confident of the rate of increase in export shipments.

Studio Electronic Technology Co. Ltd has invested in new production and test equipment and set up a lab for fiber-optic HDMI cable assemblies. The supplier boosted output by 10 percent in 2020 and plans to ramp it up by at least 15 percent in the months ahead and 2022. The category accounts for 10 percent of the total volume produced for its HDMI line.

About 250 manufacturers offer HDMI cable assemblies across China, chiefly in the cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Changzhou and Ningbo.

All have fiber-optic products, which represent 10 to 30 percent of production and will likely gain a bigger share as demand increases and more companies venture into the category.

Thirty to 80 percent of fiber-optic HDMI cables produced by domestically owned companies in China are exported, mainly to Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Fiber-optic selection

Commonly available fiber-optic HDMI cable assemblies from Chinese manufacturers are in the 2.0 and 2.1 specifications, with choices of 18Gbps that supports 4K at 60Hz, and 48Gbps that delivers 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz.

These are terminated with Type-A-to-Type-A or Type-A-to-Type-D plugs, which have gold-plated copper contacts and zinc alloy shells. Cable jacket is usually TPU.

Other specifications include 100 or 200N tensile force, 200 or 400N crush resistance, 10 or 20mm minimum bend radius and 0 to 50 C operating temperature.

In terms of cable length, the options are 1.5, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 100m or as requested.

Hybrid copper-fiber cable assemblies, which use twisted pairs, are also available.

Materials used, including optical fibers, copper wires, TPU, copper, gold and zinc, come from domestic and foreign providers, depending on customers' specifications. Some suppliers have in-house production capability for plugs.

Manufacturing input costs will be stable until next year, promising minimal change in product prices. Competition, however, might force some companies to bring down quotes by up to five percent to win more orders.

Hybrid copper-fiber HDMI 2.0 cable assembly

With 4-core optical fiber and copper wire, this AOC-HDMI1-7713 HDMI 2.0 cable assembly from Dongguan Chang'An Feiyue Electronics Fty supports 4K video with 4:4:4 encoding at 60Hz and has 18.2Gbps bandwidth. Cable diameter is 5mm.

An order of at least 20 units has a delivery lead time of eight days.

Inquire now

Fiber-optic HDMI 2.1 cable assembly, supports 8K at 60Hz

Compatible with gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, HDTVs and Apple TVs, Shenzhen Koteksun Technology Co. Ltd's IKS-HD8K100M fiber-optic HDMI 2.1 cable assembly with Type-A male connectors. It supports 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz and has 46Gbps bandwidth. The product is compatible with HDCP2.2, CEC and EDI.

The supplier requires a minimum order of 10 units. Delivery is within 10 days.

Inquire now

Hybrid copper-fiber HDMI 2.0 cable assembly

This AOC-103 hybrid copper-fiber HDMI 2.1 cable assembly from Studio Electronic Technology Co. Ltd delivers 4K resolution at 60 or 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz and has 48Gbps bandwidth. Its 24K gold-plated Type-D male plugs have a zinc alloy shell and the OM3 fiber and copper wire with an FT4-rated black CL2 PVC jacket. The 5V, ≤45mA unit, with 250mW maximum power consumption, operates in -20 to 70 C. It meets HDMI ATC, CE, FCC and RoHS requirements.

An order of at least five units has a lead time of 10 days.

Inquire now

Hybrid copper-fiber HDMI 2.0 cable assembly

Wuhan Wolon Communication Technology Co. Ltd's hybrid copper-fiber HDMI 2.0 cable assembly, the WLHDMIOC-02-2648, supports 4K video transmission with 4:4:4 encoding at 60Hz. The RoHS-compliant unit, with 20mm minimum bending radius and 100N maximum tension force, operates in -40 to 70 C. It uses a 4-core OM3 multimode fiber, 7-core copper wire, PVC jacket, and gold-plated pins and shells.

The minimum order is one unit for delivery within 15 days.

Inquire now