Introduction to the Haydon HAY-HDMIEXT25 and its key features
Haydon HAY-HDMIEXT25 — HDMI extender over Cat5e/6 (Tx + Rx pair)is a compact, plug-and-play solution designed to extend HDMI audio and video signals over a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable. Built for situations where a long HDMI cable run is impractical or unsightly, the HAY-HDMIEXT25 supports 1080p@60Hz up to 25 m (Cat6 recommended) and limited 4Kx2K@30Hz at shorter distances. It is HDCP compliant, requires no external power (powered from the HDMI source), and comes in small, lightweight enclosures that are easy to install and hide.
Detailed description of specifications and benefits
The HAY-HDMIEXT25 is small in size (59 × 25 × 30 mm for each unit) and light (approximately 50 g), yet it provides a practical feature set for many AV installations. Below is a breakdown of its key specifications and the benefits they deliver.
- Model:HAY-HDMIEXT25 (Transmitter + Receiver pair over Cat5e/6)
- Supported resolutions:1080p@60Hz (up to 25 m on Cat6); 4Kx2K@30Hz at reduced distances (~10 m on Cat5e)
- Maximum distance:Up to 25 m for 1080p (Cat6 recommended); approximately 10 m for 4K on Cat5e)
- Signalling bandwidth:Up to 2.5 Gbps
- HDCP:HDCP compliant for protected content
- Power:Powered by the HDMI source — no separate PSU required
- Physical:Compact plastic enclosures — easy to conceal behind displays or inside AV cabinets
- Operating environment:−15°C to +55°C; 5%–90% RH (no condensation)
- Plug-and-play simplicity:No configuration required — plug your HDMI source (laptop, set-top box, media player) into the transmitter and connect the receiver to the display. This reduces installation time and complexity, which is especially valuable for installers and non-technical users.
- Clean installations:Using a single Cat5e/6 cable keeps runs tidy and easier to route through conduits, cable trays, or walls compared with bulky HDMI cables.
- Cost-effective:With a suggested retail price of around $39.99 and a cost price of $30.00, the HAY-HDMIEXT25 is positioned as an affordable extender for small-to-medium AV projects where full-length HDMI or fibre solutions would be overkill.
- Compatibility with secure content:HDCP compliance means the unit can pass protected video streams, useful when connecting commercial media players or streaming devices.
- No external power:Drawn from the HDMI source, removing the need for additional power adapters and simplifying deployments, though installers should verify source devices can supply sufficient power.
Use cases and scenarios where the product excels
The HAY-HDMIEXT25 is tailored to a variety of practical applications where short-to-mid-range HDMI extension is required without the expense of advanced extenders. Typical scenarios include:
Security rooms that need to display feeds from DVRs or NVRs can benefit from the extender to place monitors away from noisy equipment racks. The compact units are easy to tuck away behind monitors or next to the recorder, and the Cat6 cabling can be routed through existing infrastructure.
Retail or hospitality displays often require discreet cable routing and reliable playback of HD content. The HAY-HDMIEXT25 provides a neat, economical way to connect media players or signage PCs to wall-mounted displays in shopfronts, menu boards, or kiosks.
Whether connecting a presentation laptop to a distant display or routing a projector signal from a central AV rack, the extender simplifies cable runs and improves appearance. The lack of extra power bricks reduces desk clutter.
Home installations that hide AV sources in cabinets while placing displays on walls or across the room can use the extender to avoid long, visible HDMI cables. For full 1080p at 25 m, use Cat6 to ensure consistent results.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
There are several ways to extend HDMI signals: passive HDMI cables, HDMI-over-Cat5/6 extenders (like the HAY-HDMIEXT25), active fibre HDMI extenders, and wireless HDMI transmitters. Each approach has advantages and trade-offs.
Long HDMI cables can be bulky, more expensive at longer lengths, and harder to route through walls or ceilings. The HAY-HDMIEXT25 uses slim Cat5e/6 cabling, which is cheaper and easier to manage. However, the extender limits length to about 25 m for full 1080p, whereas high-quality active HDMI cables or fibre can reach further.
Fibre HDMI extenders offer much longer distances and immunity to electromagnetic interference, but they are typically more expensive, require specialised installers, and often need external power. The HAY-HDMIEXT25 is a lower-cost, simpler alternative ideal when distances are modest and budget is a consideration.
Wireless HDMI removes the need for cabling altogether, which can be attractive for temporary setups. However, wireless options can suffer from interference, compression artifacts, higher cost, latency, and potential reliability issues in busy RF environments. For consistent wired performance at a low cost, the HAY-HDMIEXT25 is often the better choice.
- Low cost and simplicity:Many professional extenders cost considerably more and require external power or configuration. The Haydon unit aims at installations that prioritise simplicity and affordability.
- HDCP support and 1080p@60Hz capability:Ensures compatibility with consumer sources and smooth full-HD video.
- No external power:Simplifies installs, though it requires that the HDMI source provide enough power to drive the unit.
Customer impressions and typical feedback
While there are no named customer testimonials provided with the product listing, installers and users of similar small HDMI-over-Cat extenders commonly report the following observations:
- "Straightforward plug-and-play setup" — installers appreciate the lack of configuration and minimal components to manage.
- "Good value for money" — users often note the lower price point compared with higher-end extenders, making the unit suitable for simple installations.
- "Works reliably for 1080p setups" — many users confirm stable performance at 1080p over recommended Cat6 runs up to the stated distance.
- "Check power from source" — a recurring tip is to verify the HDMI source can supply the necessary power; some devices may struggle to power the receiver at longer runs.
- "4K is limited" — users moving to 4K often find that distances are reduced and that testing in-place before final installation is essential.
These representative points reflect what to expect in real installations: strong value and simplicity for full-HD use, with the usual caveats around power sourcing and 4K distance limitations.
Practical installation tips and troubleshooting
- Use good-quality Cat6 cable for runs intended to reach the full 25 m at 1080p. Cat6 helps maintain signal integrity compared with Cat5e at longer lengths.
- Keep cable runs away from large electrical sources and heavy machinery that could introduce interference.
- If the display does not power on or the signal drops, confirm the HDMI source supplies power to the transmitter. Try a different source or a powered HDMI splitter if needed.
- For 4K signals, reduce run length to within the stated guidance and test before committing to in-wall installations.
- Check EDID/handshake issues by power-cycling source and display if no image appears initially.
Conclusion: Why the HAY-HDMIEXT25 is a solid choice
The Haydon HAY-HDMIEXT25 is an economical, no-frills HDMI-over-Cat5e/6 extender designed for practical everyday use. Its primary strengths are plug-and-play simplicity, compact form factor, HDCP compliance, and the ability to extend 1080p video up to 25 m when used with Cat6 cable. For CCTV monitors, point-of-sale displays, meeting rooms, simple digital signage, and many home theatre situations where long HDMI cables are impractical, this unit provides a tidy, low-cost solution.
While it is not a high-end fibre or enterprise-class extender and 4K distances are limited, the HAY-HDMIEXT25 delivers reliable, predictable performance for full-HD applications at a price point that makes it attractive for both professional installers and DIY users. If you need a straightforward, affordable way to extend HDMI over a single Cat5e/6 run with minimal fuss, the Haydon HAY-HDMIEXT25 is well worth considering.
