Name: Metra Install Bay Active Hybrid HDMI Cable
Brand: Metra
SKU: 120AOC50
Price: 149.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (31 reviews)

OVERVIEW

Written by Crutchfield's Steve K.

Hybrid design + active processing = zero signal loss

Metra's Install Bay active hybrid HDMI cables are a great way to go when you have a long cable run between a 4K source and your 4K TV — even up to 260 feet! These cables support the maximum 18 Gbps bandwidth provided by the HDMI 2.0 standard, and they're rated for in-wall use. They can handle the latest advances in video technology, including 4K Ultra HD and HDR content.

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Hybrid design + active processing = zero signal loss

Unlike conventional copper-based HDMI cables, these hybrid cables divvy up the signal-carrying duties among four fiber optic conductors and seven copper conductors. The other advantage of these cables is the "active" part — the built-in signal processing chip. It helps ensure that your signals travel from source to display with no loss or interruption. The cable is self-powered, drawing 5V via the HDMI connection to the source device, so no external power supply is needed.

These Metra cables are thin, lightweight, and flexible — their small bending radius of 45mm makes connections in tight spaces possible. The cables have labeled connector ends to reduce installation error (there's only one correct way to hook them up).

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Product highlights:

active design uses a signal processing chip to ensure more reliable signal transmission over greater distances
powered by the HDMI connection to the source device; no external power required
hybrid cable design uses four fiber optic conductors and seven copper conductors
cable is slim, lightweight, and flexible, with a small bending radius of 45mm
supports HDMI features through version 2.0b:
- maximum bandwidth of 18 Gbps
- 1080p and 4K video @ 60p
- bi-directional Ethernet communication with compatible components
- ARC (Audio Return Channel) for sending Dolby® Digital sound from a TV back to an A/V receiver
CL3-rated for safe in-wall installation
directional design — connection ends are labeled to reduce installation error
gold-plated contacts resist corrosion
warranty: 1 year
Our 60-day money-back guarantee
MFR # IB-HDAOC-050

What's in the box:

50' Hybrid HDMI/Optical cable

Featured review

Cable arrived well packed and on time. Resolved all issues of lost video between Apple 4K/Oppo BDP-105D/Epson 5010 Projector. Videos load faster and no issues with lost video during playback.

Stephen B from Satsuma, AL

See all 31 reviews

Customer Q&A

Can this cord be used with a splitter and does it say cl3 on the cord?

I do not know. A professional installer installed the cable. I never really looked at it.

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REVIEWS

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Metra Install Bay Active Hybrid HDMI Cable reviews

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31 reviews

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DETAILS

Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Product Research

Features

Hybrid Active HDMI/Optical Cable: This active hybrid cable contains both fiber optic and copper cores terminated by a HDMI connector on each end. It allows you to transmit HDMI signals long distances without an external power supply. With an advanced optical engine embedded, this hybrid active HDMI/Optical cable provides full HDMI signal integrity and supports a maximum data rate of 18Gbps.

HDMI 2.0b: The active hybrid HDMI/Optical cable is terminated with a gold-plated HDMI type-A connector on each end and fully complies with the HDMI 2.0b specification. The HDMI 2.0b specification means that it will support data rates up to 18Gbps, video resolutions up to Ultra HD 4K/60Hz (4:4:4) with 48-bit color depth (16-bit per channel), as well as lossless HDMI audio formats like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD. It also supports bi-directional EDID, as well as HDCP 1.4 & 2.2 communication. In addition, the cable is compatible with ARC, HEC, CEC, and Ethernet-over-HDMI.

Directional: This active hybrid cable can only be used in one direction. The HDMI type-A connectors are marked with "Source" and "Display". Each HDMI type-A connector must be plugged into the correct port to avoid signal loss. Make the appropriate connections with your Source and Display device turned off.

Note: Do not use any intermediate cables or adapters between the connections, as the signal transmission performance maybe attenuated.

Passive Power: The active hybrid HDMI/Optical cable is designed for use with the +5V passive power, supplied through pin 18 on the HDMI connection from the source device. This +5V connection, as well as powering the internal fiber optic module, is also carried through to the other sink via a full standard copper connection. Make sure that your source device is capable of delivering more than 500mA.

CL3 Rated: The active hybrid HDMI/Optical cable features a UL rated CL3 approved PVC jacket for safe in-wall use. It is intended for indoor use only; do not use it outdoors (contact with moisture must be avoided under all circumstances). The PVC jacket is also lightweight, flexible, and has a small diameter.

Specifications:

Connector Type: HDMI Type-A
Cable Type: Hybrid type with OM3 fiber and copper wire
HDMI Version: HDMI 2.0b (fully supports bi-directional EDID and HDCP 1.4/2.2 communication, audio/video pass-through, Ethernet-over-HDMI, CEC/HEC, & ARC)
Video Bandwidth: 18Gbps (6 Gbps per Channel + Clock)
Max Resolution: 2160p60 4:4:4 8/10bit
- HDTV: 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p deep color, 4K (60P), 3D Full HD 1920x1080
- PC: WUXGA 1920x1200
Passive Power Supply: 4.75 - 5.5V (no external power required)
Power Consumption: 2450mW (max.)

Dimensions:

Connector: 0.75" (w) x 0.375" (h) x 2.4375" (d)
Cable Diameter: 0.195"
Bending Radius: bending the cable to a smaller radius will irreversibly destroy the cable
- Short Term: 2.3125" (6cm)
- Long Term: 1.75" (45mm)
Max Pull Tensile Load: 150N (15kg)
Cable Lengths: available in 30', 50', 65', 80', 100', 130', 200', and 260' lengths

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Q&A

Q

Crutchfield asked: Why did you buy this?

I appreciate all the helpful guidance and customer service that Crutchfield offers. I want to support this kind of business. The product pricing was also good. [ Paul Feb 18, 2019 ]

Tired of glitchy hdmi extenders and this one gets me my ARC! Yay! [ Matt Jan 08, 2019 ]

Long distance, HDMI, outdoor without having to have a converter. [ scott Feb 23, 2019 ]

crutchfield recommended. [ KIRK P Dec 23, 2018 ]

Regular HDMI 4K cable will lose too much signal over 25 feet. [ Danny Dec 19, 2018 ]

Website and price. [ M Oct 01, 2018 ]

This product was highly recommended by several technicians [ James Sep 24, 2018 ]

I needed a high quality 50-ft cable to go with my 4K HDTV. This cable was recommended by Gus. [ TODD Mar 21, 2019 ]

recommended by Cosmo [ Brian Feb 08, 2019 ]

Recommended [ Pedro C. Pagan Jan 28, 2019 ]

Right length and specs [ Dorothy Jan 13, 2019 ]

Because that was the recommended cable to run 50 ft HDMI to my TV in order to get 4k. [ VISHTASP Dec 09, 2018 ]

To replace a wireless hdmi adapter. [ Gabriel Nov 25, 2018 ]

price and recommendation from advisor [ Shaft Nov 16, 2018 ]

I ordered another HDMI premium cable for my setup. It was about 35ft long. The connection between my PS4 Pro and AVR to the projector was about 41ft in total. The picture was black and only audio came through. After troubleshooting I figured that maybe the length was the problem with the copper based HDMI cable. Time to give fiber a shot. [ Alejandro Nov 13, 2018 ]

Need for outdoor 4k tv [ Stevan Oct 01, 2019 ]

Needed ~55 feet hybrid fiber/copper hdmi for 4k UHD, HDR install, other retailers had 50 or 75 or 100, and were copper or required boosters, this item had specs I needed and right length. [ Patrick Mar 03, 2019 ]

Future proof my in-wall wiring so that it will not only support 4k video but anything that requires twice the bandwidth. [ Aamir Jan 25, 2019 ]

Length for outdoor video [ Rod Aug 30, 2018 ]

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4 questions already asked

Several audio techs claim that HDMI hybrid cables will not work over long distances. They claim I have to run fibre cable and then splice HDMI cables. I've got to run 85 feet of HDMI cable up between walls and in the attic. Will the Metra install bay active hybrid HDMI cable really work if I connect a 4K UHD TV to an AVR?

[ Hector Jan 28, 2019 ]

6 answers

It should. We ran a 4K projector off a 100' Crutchfield active hybrid HDMI cable and it works great. We have run 100'+ non hybrid HDMI cables in the past but they are so thick (like the thickness of your thumb or greater) that they are EXTREMELY hard to work with and pull through walls, they are very thick and HEAVY. The advantage of the active hybrid HDMI cable is that they are the thickness of ordinary HDMI cables or thinner and lightweight. The possible disadvantage of them is that you have to be careful pulling them and going around bends as they have a fiber optics cable in them which is made out of glass. Hope this helps.

[ ERIC Feb 03, 2019 ]

Absolutely!!!!! I was using an hdmi over cat 6 extender before this cable came along.... This thing works flawlessly and the ARC function and all control functions work as they should.

[ Matt Jan 30, 2019 ]

Actually my purchase was 30 feet, That said, I would not try to run fibre cable and then splice HDMI cables. Instead, I would purchase 85' - 100' of Metra and bring the components to a convenient single location to verify the transmission of audio/video before installing between the walls. Take care to read the markings on the cable as the one I bought was "one-way". Do take special care with the run between the walls.

[ MEADE Jan 29, 2019 ]

This cable worked great for me. I have a media closet where I keep all of my A/V equipment. I have it connected from my Denon AVR, to a 75 inch Samsung NU7100 series TV. I run 7.2 ch sound, and 4k source from an xbox one x, and a Sony 4k player. Sound and video are perfect. My run is about 100 feet. I tried other cheaper cables, but the video quality was very poor.

[ Mark Jan 29, 2019 ]

I have been told the same over long distances. The hybrid cable works fine for my 30 ft distance but I do not know if it will support longer distances. I would follow the advice of a professional. Good luck!

[ TOM Jan 29, 2019 ]

Yes, the hybrid HDMI cable will work from an AVR to a 4K UHD tv. Just make sure to pay attention to which connection end goes to the tv and the other to the AVR. The connection ends should be labeled for proper connection. Also, the cable cannot be pulled hard over the run as it can damage the cable. I ran a 200' hybrid HDMI cable from an AVR to an outdoor 4K UHD tv and it works great.

[ Derek Eglinton Jan 28, 2019 ]

Would this cable work with eARC?

[ Steven Sep 22, 2019 ]

1 answer

They cannot, eARC is supported by HDMI 2.1, and these are 2.0.

[ Calvin Oct 03, 2019 ] Staff

what is the weight of the 15 meters bundle?

[ ASHOK Aug 16, 2019 ]

2 answers

I don't have the exact weight, since it is installed in my wall, but I don't think it's more than 5 lbs.

[ Peter Aug 22, 2019 ]

I'd say it's ~3 lbs.