2019 IES

Metra Home Theater Group® (MHTG) is showcasing more than 50 HDMI® cable products with 24Gbps bandwidth at booth 1-Q80 at the 2019 Integrated Systems Europe show in Amsterdam. MHTG’s HDMI cables are manufactured under Ethereal Home Theater®, Helios® and The Install Bay® brands, and available now in a wide range of lengths and options. These HDMI cables are designed to carry up to 6Gbps of video in all four channels for a total bandwidth of 24Gbps. “24Gbps bandwidth is in preparation for higher frames per second or bit rates in the 4K spec, or heading to the next step in 8K,” says Brent McCall from MHTG’s Technical Support and Product Development. “With the release of HDMI 2.1 in many new displays, higher bandwidth cables will be required to take advantage of the new content we expect to see coming in the future,” he added. MHTG’s higher bandwidth cables support 4K/60,10bit, 4:4:4 and are compatible with the new enhanced audio return channels (ARC and eARC) and all of the current HDMI specifications.

Among the higher bandwidth HDMI cables will be high-end solutions designed for custom integrators in MHTG’s Velox product line by Ethereal. Velox premium ultra-high speed HDMI cables can reach up to 100 meters (328 feet) for their active fiber (which support ARC but not eARC), 30 meters (98 feet) for their active copper and 10 meters (32.8 feet) for their passive copper, supporting the full 4K spec for 4:4:4, HDR and more. Ethereal’s MHX cables can reach up to 7.5 meters (24.6 feet) supporting 24Gbps unassisted, and up to 17 meters (55.7 feet) when used with the HDM-GA1 or HDM-GA2 Gigabit Accelerators.

Helios, MHTG’s retail brand designed for consumers, will display their new retail store shelf system at ISE, which includes their 24Gbps short length fiber HDMI cables and brand signage. These fiber cables do not require external power and are available in eye-catching retail packaging, from 3 to 15 feet (or 0.9 to 4.5 meters). Helios solutions will allow retailers to provide high-end cables to consumers purchasing new 4K displays or gaming consoles that require higher bandwidths.

For easy pre-wiring, MHTG has introduced a new series of hybrid active optical fiber HDMI® cables from The Install Bay® that feature a removable headshell for easy in-wall installation. This installer-friendly solution is designed for pre-wiring with a small connector cover and hook that makes pulling the cable through conduit easy. The durable CL3 jacket is designed for in-wall installation and is ideal for pre-wiring new homes thanks to their UL-rated jacket that doesn’t split or break in colder temperatures*. They are also available in plenum or CL3 without the detachable headshell option, from 9 to 79 meters (or 30 to 260 feet).

MHTG’s higher bandwidth cables will be at ISE booth 1-Q80 from February 5-8, 2019 at the RAI Amsterdam and also on display at the NAHB International Builder’s Show booth SU648 in Las Vegas.

*The Install Bay IB-HDAOCD series has an operating temperature of -10 to 50 °C (14 to 122 °F) and storage temperature of -20 to 60 °C (-4 to 140 °F).


About Metra Home Theater Group®

Metra Home Theater Group® (MHTG), a pioneer in HDMI® cable technology, is a division of Metra Electronics® , the world leader and “The Installer’s Choice” ® for vehicle installation kits and car audio accessories for more than 70 years. Headquartered in Florida, MHTG’s brands include Ethereal Home Theater®, Helios® and Spyclops Surveillance Systems®. Metra’s strong commitment to research and investment into the development of cutting-edge solutions has a history of providing first-to-market solutions for HDMI cables and electronics. Its Velox Active HDMI 30 Meter Cable was recognized as the Top Long-run Copper HDMI Cable at the 2017 CEDIA Expo. Connect with Metra Home Theater Group on Facebook, Twitter or MetraHomeTheater.com. For ordering information and pricing, visit Metra Home Theater Group online at MetraHomeTheater.com or call 866.839.9187.