CE Pro recently spoke with Joe Zhang, product manager for FIBBR, to discuss the fiber industry, and why fiber makes sense for integrators. Alongside these topics, FIBBR offered up a few installation tips for integrators looking to start offering more fiber cabling. 

1. How does fiber fit into the home entertainment equation versus traditional cabling or other solutions such as category cabling?

Unlike traditional coaxial copper cabling, fiber is designed to reliably deliver a high bandwidth of data over long distances. As the 4K digital entertainment market rapidly evolves, combined with today’s larger homes and screen sizes, HDMI cables will need to handle the increased bandwidth, now at 18 Gbps.

With copper reaching its physical limits in terms of distance and bandwidth, fiber active optical cable is the smart choice for integrators preparing for HDMI 2.0 and beyond while providing their customers with the ultimate performance for today’s content.

FIBBR’s active optical cables offer reliably high bandwidth, extremely low signal attenuation, and high resistance to external electromagnetic interference—all necessary features that assure the best picture and sound ever.

Related: FIBBR Debuts Design-Friendly HDMI Solution at CEDIA Expo 2018

FIBBR’s Crystal cables offer an added benefit with a design-friendly with a transparent jacket, ideal for media rooms where décor is a key factor.

The award-winning ISF-Certified UltraPro active fiber optical HDMI cables are best for custom installations where cables can be concealed, while both provide extra ease of use with HDMI socket-power, eliminating the need for an additional power supply at the signal-display end.

2. Given how quickly the HDMI format is evolving and the media market is adopting 4K with HDR and Dolby Vision, why does the use of fiber make sense for integrators?

Simply put, reliability and ease of installation. An integrator needs to be confident that the customer will have the best possible audio/visual experience, on demand. Copper and CATx cables can’t achieve the specs for true native 4K bandwidth and speed over distance.

By its nature, fiber is strong but lightweight—60 percent lighter than traditional cabling—and flexible, especially over long distances, causing less wear and tear on hardware sources and also with less weight and physical size to deal with, logistics of storage, transportation, etc. are more easily managed.

3. What processes/installation techniques do integrators need to be familiar with in order to successfully utilize FIBBR products in the field?

Active fiber optical cables transmit data through light signals and therefore are single-directional. To ensure a trouble-free installation, the “Source” and “Display” ends of FIBBR cables are all clearly marked; at the source end the Smart LED indicator confirms an authentic and secure HDMI connection, and power status.

The UltraPro and UltraPro2 feature a handy Flash LED on the display end to lights the way in dark places behind the display, two Smart features exclusively available from FIBBR.

FIBBR cables are pre-terminated so there is no cutting or preparing necessary. The cables arrive ready to install and again by eliminating the need for external power adapters, the cables are literally plug and play with the smart LED confirms connection and operation.

4. Can integrators utilize FIBBR products for installations in the commercial market such as bars, restaurants, retail establishments, etc.?

Yes, FIBBR cables are available for residential and commercial applications, such as museums, concert and exhibition halls, HD-video conference rooms, karaoke bars, etc.

For expanded crossover potential, the new UltraPro2 will feature plenum jackets and we are able to customize up to 200 meters for special orders.

5. Can you outline what FIBBR will be showing at CEDIA:

In our booth, 1206, we will demonstrate our full range of active fiber optical HDMI solutions for the custom-install market, including:

• The new Crystal active fiber optical cable – with a design-friendly transparent jacket, (18Gbps bandwidth and 4K@60FPS with HDR)
• UltraPro2 includes ARC and Plenum jacket (21Gbps bandwidth and 4k@60FPS with 4:4:4 HDR 12bits support)
• ISF Certified, award-winning UltraPro (18Gbps bandwidth and 4K@60FPS with HDR)

We will also preview the Ultra8K as a technology showcase:

• Ultra 8K (supporting 48Gbps bandwidth and 8k@60FPS)
• All FIBBR premium cables are available in standard lengths of 1.5 to 50 meters. We strongly encourage attendees to stop by to experience the visual difference along with the incredible flexibility of these cables – it’s a quick yet powerful demonstration.

6. What would you say to dealers who are stumbling across your brand for the first time?

The 4K era is upon us now and it’s time to upgrade from copper to active fiber optic HDMI cables. FIBBR is actively looking to build our worldwide distribution network with partners who desire HDMI solutions they can rely on.

FIBBR is a world-leading innovator in active fiber optical cables, using the highest-quality fiber to deliver products that are affordable, durable, and easy to handle. FIBBR is ready to handle tomorrow’s digital entertainment today.

It’s also extremely important to understand that FIBBR is a brand with in-house manufacturing, allowing top-rated quality control on all products.

FIBBR’s cables are prepared in a state-of-the-art, dust-free work-room with highly skilled technicians, and the R&D team is very strong with chip design and the parent company, YOFC, the world’s largest producer, exclusively provides the BendRoustTM optical fiber for use in FIBBR products.

All its internal and external protective materials used by FIBBR are environmental-friendly and RoHS/REACH compliant.

It’s also worth mentioning that each FIBBR cable has to pass a test of a million times of dragging and dropping before it leaves the factory.

FIBBR is not only meeting and exceeding current specifications but are recognized as market leaders for innovating solutions for future specifications today.

FIBBR provides integrators with cutting-edge solutions, with advanced cable design, to deliver reliable, flexible, design-friendly cables that are easy to use and won’t be the reason for their headache in the next install.