Chord Epic HDMI AOC 8K 48Gbps Cable

Chord Epic HDMI AOC (Active Optical Cable) 8K cable supporting 48Gpbs is a high performance HDMI cable that uses an optical link for the best possible signal transfer. It features a copper shield to block any high frequency noise, with the data signal sent via an optical fibre. This works by having transceiver chips built into the plugs at either end of the lead. The upgraded chipset converts the data into an optical signal and then back into standard electrical signals at the other end. This cable is designed for the best possible connection and is future-proofed for 8K content.

Upgraded chipset

The chipset has been upgraded - it can now handle 8K at 60Hz as well as 4K at 120Hz. At the time of this cable's release, 8K material is still fairly scarce but is about to become more available. That makes it a perfect high performance cable to avoid needing to swap it out for another one if upgrading to 8K content in future.

Why optical cable?

The signal quality can start to degrade, with copper cables, over a relatively short distance. As a result, the optical link of the Epic HDMI AOC guarantees the best result, even with long cable runs. Optical cables provide the best picture and audio quality and are immune to HF noise. For those who are interested, there is more about the surprisingly complex HDMI system, below.

The HDMI system

AV systems involving HDMI connections can become incredibly complex. A few of the issues are discussed below. Most of these will probably not be a major issue with home systems.

What is AOC?

HDMI AOC (Active Optical Cable) is a new format that does the same thing as a standard HDMI lead. However, it can offer much longer cable runs with no interference pickup. The transfer is claimed to be essentially lossless. HDMI AOC was developed due to the limitation of copper cables. Copper cables start to lose performance in as little as 10 meters. This can be a problem with the high data rates required for 4k, let alone 8K. 4K has a data rate of 17.82 Gbps. That is reaching the upper limits of what copper can handle. As a result, AOC cables use an optical link, as mentioned above.

For long runs, boosters are being used. However, these can cause problems with the HDCP copy protection system as well as the EDID handshaking system. More on what this means below.

What is HDCP?

Interference with HDCP can lead to a blank screen or a refusal for the display device to show 4K content. HDCP stands for High Definition Copy Protection. To playback 4K content your devices must be compatible with HDCP 2.2. That also includes the HDMI lead. Otherwise, the video material will only play at 1080P or 720P.

What is EDID?

EDID is a communication protocol between the connected device (Blu-ray player or other device) and the display (TV, monitor or projector). EDID stands for Extended Display Identification Data and is a complex set of data that tells the display what resolution to expect, as well as much other data. There is a lot of information that needs to be sent between the source and display for the image to display correctly. Any issues with the cable can cause all kinds of odd problems with EDID. Hence the need for the Epic HDMI AOC HDMI cable.