How to Extend Dual 4K Displays and USB 3.2 Up to 100m over HDBaseT 3.0
Are you an AV engineer or IT systems administrator designing a meeting space or boardroom that requires video, KVM data, and USB-C laptop charging over long distances (up to 100 meters)?
When specifying high-bandwidth extenders, legacy brands like the Atlona Omega series or newer HDBaseT 3.0 solutions from WyreStorm and PureLink are frequently considered. While these systems deliver reliable performance, they often force you to combine separate table switchers, dedicated USB extenders, and additional hardware layers in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments.
The ACT AC7110 AV Media Extender Set takes a more streamlined approach by combining the latest HDBaseT 3.0 architecture with an integrated hardware dual-display engine. In this technical guide, we compare the key specifications to help you engineer the optimal infrastructure for your next deployment.
ACT AC7110 Hardware Highlights
- Valens VS6320 & DisplayLink DL-6950 chipsets
- Uncompressed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) transmission
- Dual 4K @ 60Hz HDMI outputs (Extended Desktop)
- Integrated 2-port USB-C host switch with 100W PD
Technical Comparison: ACT AC7110 vs. Competitors
| Feature | ACT AC7110 | WyreStorm EX3-100-EARC | Atlona Omega Series | PureLink PT-HDBT-1020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDBaseT Generation | HDBaseT 3.0 (Valens VS6320) | HDBaseT 3.0 | HDBaseT 2.0 | HDBaseT 3.0 |
| Max. Distance (Cat6A) | 100 Meters | 100 Meters | 100m (1080p) / 70m (4K) | 100 Meters |
| USB Bandwidth | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) | Pure Video (No USB native) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) |
| Video Outputs (RX) | Dual 4K @ 60Hz HDMI | Single 4K HDMI | Single 4K HDMI | Single 4K HDMI |
| Host Connectivity | Dual USB-C Switch | HDMI Only | HDMI / USB-B / USB-C | Single USB-C |
| MacBook Multi-Display | Yes (Native Support via DL) | No (Requires MST/Matrix) | No | No |
| Power Delivery (TX) | 100W | N/A | Up to 60W | Up to 60W |
Key Architectural Advantages of the ACT AC7110
1. Breaking the USB 2.0 Bottleneck (Valens VS6320)
Legacy HDBaseT 2.0 extenders scale USB data back to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps) due to integrated hub emulation. This bandwidth restriction causes significant bottlenecks for modern 4K PTZ conference cameras (such as the Logitech Rally or Jabra PanaCast) and interactive smartboards that require high-speed USB 3.0/3.2 signals to operate without video compression artifacts or dropped frames.
The ACT AC7110 utilizes the advanced Valens VS6320 (HDBaseT 3.0) chipset architecture. This allows your 100-meter CAT6A infrastructure to operate as a transparent, uncompressed, high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) pipe. USB-tier limit errors and handshake drops are completely eliminated, regardless of peripheral device density.
2. The MacBook Boardroom Solution: Dual 4K via DisplayLink
A major issue for corporate IT departments is the native hardware limitation of standard Apple MacBooks (base M1, M2, and M3 chipsets), which only support a single external monitor via standard USB-C Alt-Mode extension infrastructure.
The AC7110 bypasses this bottleneck directly at the hardware layer. The transmitter integrates the HDBaseT link with a high-performance DisplayLink DL-6950 processor. When a user connects their laptop to the dual USB-C tabletop switch, the video data is processed seamlessly. At the display end, the receiver breaks this signal down into two independent 4K @ 60Hz HDMI outputs (Extended Desktop). This provides native multi-display support across Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS with no additional configuration required.
3. Reduced TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
Traditional configurations often require a dedicated tabletop USB-C switcher or docking station connected sequentially to a separate long-distance HDBaseT transceiver kit. The ACT AC7110 combines a Dual USB-C host switcher, a 100W laptop charger, a high-speed KVM extender, and a dual 4K graphics engine into a single unified kit. This lowers overall hardware costs, reduces failure-prone interconnect points, and optimizes rack real estate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I mix an ACT AC7110 transmitter with a WyreStorm or Atlona receiver?
A: Although HDBaseT 3.0 is a standardized baseline protocol for video and audio transmission, manufacturers implement proprietary firmware layers for USB data routing and Power over Cable (PoC) delivery. Because the ACT AC7110 encapsulates specific DisplayLink data packages across the USB infrastructure to drive the independent dual 4K layouts, ACT strongly recommends **always deploying the AC7110 transmitter and receiver as a closed system**. Cross-branding endpoints may disable the display processing engines or peripheral USB connectivity.
Q: What specific cable specifications are required for the AC7110 over 100 meters?
A: Since HDBaseT 3.0 pushes up to 18Gbps of aggregate bandwidth (uncompressed video along with high-speed USB 3.2 data) across the copper medium, cable infrastructure quality is paramount. You must use a **fully shielded Cat6A U/FTP or S/FTP solid copper cable** (minimum 23 AWG). Standard patch cords with stranded wires will cause signal attenuation over long distances. For premium results and deployment compliance, deploying a dedicated installation link like the ACT FB0090 Solid-Core S/FTP line is highly recommended to eliminate sync loss and data fallback issues.
For full technical specifications, layout verification, or datasheet downloads regarding this setup:
Visit the official ACT website