A wideband ‘active’ HDMI cable with Ethernet, developed to meet the highest performance standards over lengths of up to 15m.

Building upon the success of our first-generation Atlas Equator (active) and Element (passive) high-speed HDMI, cables, our new 18G range has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the full bandwidth requirements of the latest HDMI specification for Ultra UHD with a bandwidth of 18Gbps over extended lengths up to 15m.

Introducing Active HDMI

The Hyper 4K HDMI cable is a wideband ‘active’ digital cable developed to meet the highest performance standards over lengths of up to 15m. Passive HDMI cables have a natural limitation: the attenuation characteristics of the base cable. Once the optimum length has been exceeded, an exponential increase in data errors occur. Typically we consider around 8–10m is the maximum length for a passive HDMI cable, under the less-demanding HDMI 1.4a specification (lower resolution & bandwidth than the newer HDMI 2.0 requirements).

To meet the more stringent performance requirements (ultra high-resolution and wide bandwith) of HDMI 2.0, Atlas has implemented "active" HDMI technology. Sophisticated electronics are built into the display end of the cable, which effectively extends the operational performance of longer cables. This adaptive technology is used effectively to keep the cable’s outside diameter to a reasonable size while extending the length of the cable.

The active Hyper 4K HDMI is available in 10, 12 and 15m lengths with no loss of performance. Coupled with our installation-grade precision connectors, Hyper is superbly suited to high-end video installations. All cables are directional, with ‘Display’ written on the connector that plugs into the display.

As you’d expect given our passion for audio, the Hyper 4k HDMI is designed to give optimum sound quality. Atlas’ expertise in world-class digital audio interconnects means jitter is kept to extremely low levels.

Reducing Jitter

Why is jitter so difficult to deal with in a digital system? And why are its effects so disastrous on performance?

Jitter manifests itself in display and processor electronics as a concept called “work done.” That is, the easier the display device can recover the data from the interface, the lower the work done — and therefore the potential for the higher fidelity audio and video performance is achievable. If the display device is continually checking and correcting errors, then this uncertainty is transferred onto the power supplies, the clocking circuits and the digital to analogue converters. This manifests itself directly in increased power dissipation, higher heat output and, ultimately, poorer sound quality.

Although it's sometimes called "noise," jitter is often not directly audible as hiss or interference — but by directly creating drag on a DAC's clock accuracy and error correction circuitry, it reduces tonal accuracy and dynamic range. You may not hear it while it's present, but you'll easily hear the difference when it's removed.

To ensure that the maximum available bandwidth is maintained throughought a cable's length, numerous factors need to be controlled: attenuation; noise sources; skin effect; dielectric loss; intra- and inter-pair skews; shielding; et al. Together, all these elements add uncertainty into the digital domain of "ones and zeroes." This “uncertainty” is the #1 performance killer in digital systems, and is also known as JITTER.

Each critical TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signalling) twisted data pair is produced from high purity 24awg OFC conductors encased within super rigid and geometrically stable Polyethylene dielectric. Each critical pair is individually shielded within a 100% Mylar copper screen before a secondary shielding layer is further enhanced via a copper outer screen. The combination of precision twisting and critical shielding cancels out the worst effect of inductive and capacitive coupling within the cable. This balanced shielding approach also delivers exceptional EMC (Electro-Magnetic Compatibility) performance.

The termination of the data/clock pairs is critical to deliver consistently the wide bandwidth required by the HDMI 2.0 (4k) specification, and in this respect the Hyper clears all barriers. Selecting only those cables that measurably pass the tightest characteristic impedance termination control, ensures that the Hyper 4k wideband HDMI can easily deliver the required bandwidth over extended distances, without any damaging cable reflections that could introduce damaging jitter into the system.

Following on from the extensive experience gained with our Element and Equator high-speed with Ethernet HDMI families, we've used a mixed technology base for the Hyper family. 7m cables, available by request, are an all-passive design. The 10m, 12m and 15m lengths have implemented the adaptive low-noise electronic design which we have dubbed "active."

The Atlas Cables Hyper 4K Wideband HDMI cable is designed specifically to deliver point-to-point data delivery integrity, and, critically, to pass the most exacting bandwidth requirements of the new HDMI 2.0 specification:

• Resolutions up to 3840×2160
• Frame rates of 60Hz
• Colour depth of HDR requirements (12 bits)
• Uncompressed Chromasub sampling of (4:4:4)3840 x 2160 x 60hz x 12bits x 3 channels = 17.915,904Gb/sec

Geometry: 10 conductors, 24 awg multicore cable: (Active 10m, 12m, 15m)

Conductor: OFC (data), OFC (power)

Dielectric: PEF (data), HDPE (power)

Screen: OFC, 90%

Shielding: Triple 100% Cu Mylar™

Outside Diameter: 9.5mm PVC (CL3/FT4)

Data Bandwidth: 18GB/s

Processing & Shipping Times

Atlas is distributed in the USA and Canada by VANA Ltd. We keep a small subset of standard lengths in stock in our New York warehouse. Online orders are processed within 2 business days. Orders than can be fully or partly fulfilled from our stock will usually ship within 3 business days. You can also inquire about inventory with your local Atlas Cables dealer. 

Custom orders and lengths that are not currently in stock will be made to order in Scotland and drop-shipped to your door. These typically ship within a week and arrive to their North American destination within 2 weeks.

Note: Fulfillment times for custom may currently be longer due to the COVID pandemic. Please contact us for an estimate if your order is time-sensitive.