Chord Company has announced a new addition to its cable product line the HDMI AOC (Active Optical Cable) interconnect.
This cable joins the existing Copper Clearway HDMI (which offers high-res performance up to 3 m) and introduces a high-quality next-generation chipset at both ends of the cable for advanced performance over longer runs of up to 20 meters.
Key Features
The Clearway HDMI AOC supports a 48GBps bandwidth and benefits from the highest OM3 grade (over 10-Gigabit-bandwidth glass fibers), rather than the typical OM2 (1 GB).
4K/8K/10K resolution and both static and dynamic HDR picture quality are supported via four-fibre/seven-wire configuration. The high-speed Clearway HDMI AOC supports improved audio performance and is heavily shielded against unwanted high-frequency noise.
Additional features supported include eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel); SBTM (Source-based Tone Mapping); Variable Refresh Rate (VRR); Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM); Quick Frame Transport (QFT) and Quick Media Switching (QMS).
Cable Construction
The Clearway HDMI AOC cable has a gold-plated copper HDMI connector shell with 19 gold-plated copper connector pins, hand-soldered and fabricated to the terminations, with protection from a zinc-alloy connector backshell. The cable is further protected with foam/Polyethylene insulation, a dual aluminum foil shield, and a PVC jacket.
Following concerns that copper-only cable is being stretched to the limit of its capability, Chord Company has employed optical technology for carrying the more demanding signals required by the latest (and future) players, processors, and screens. Unlike TOSLINK cables, where the entire signal is carried down optical fibers, HDMI AOC cable is a hybrid of seven copper cables and four optical fibers.
The advantage of optical fiber is that it is not susceptible to high-frequency noise as is copper cables. This potential weakness, coupled with the longer cable lengths used in the setup, means that high-frequency noise along the signal path is always present to a degree.
In addition, Chord Company has ensured that the copper cables also used in the HDMI AOC’s construction are fully protected from external high-frequency noise pollution, via an external PVC jacket with a double aluminum foil shielding system.
Tech Note: One important thing to remember is that active HDMI AOC cables are directional – this means that one end is designated for the source output (Blu-ray Disc player, Game Console, etc.) and the other end is designated for the destination input (AVR, TV, Projector).
In the case where you connect the video output of the AVR to a TV or projector – then the AVR becomes the source for that configuration. There are directional arrows on the HDMI AOC cable connection ends to guide you.
Price & Availability
Chord Company Clearway HDMI AOC is available now from authorized dealers priced from $160 (3m) to $500 (20m). In between lengths include 5m, 8m, 10m, 12.5m, and 15m.
The Clearway HDMI AOC cable is sold with a lifetime warranty against defective materials and workmanship.
For more information: chord.co.uk
Note: Chord Company (cable maker) and Chord Electronics (high-end audio component maker) are separate companies.
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