FURUTECH HF-A-NCF HDMI ACTIVE OPTICAL CABLE ANNOUNCED

Japanese cable and connector manufacturer Furutech has announced the launch of a brand new HDMI cable.

The Furutech HF-A-NCF HDMI Active Optical Cable (AOC) uses fibre optic technology to transport the digital HDMI signal, claiming to enable lossless signal transfer over far greater distances than is possible with standard copper HDMI cables, and reducing the risk of EMI and RFI interference.

Furutech HF-A-NCF HDMI Active Optical Cable

NANO CRYSTAL2 FORMULA

The HF-A-NCF’s cable clamp incorporates Furutech’s proprietary electrical and mechanical damping material, NCF (Nano Crystal2 Formula). NCF features a special crystalline material with two ‘active’ properties. Furutech claims that it generates negative ions that eliminate static and converts thermal energy into far-infrared. Furutech combines this material with nano-sized ceramic particles and carbon powder for their additional ‘piezoelectric effect’ damping properties.

CONNECTORS

The cable’s connectors feature special photoelectric conversion circuitry to deliver balanced signal amplification. The optical converter circuitry is powered by the HDMI interface, so there is no need for power from an external supply. The zinc and aluminium alloy metal connector covers are textured to reduce vibration.

All metal parts are treated with Furutech’s trademark two-stage ‘Alpha’ cryogenic and demagnetization process, designed to render the metal stress-free, stable and highly electrically conductive.

OM3 OPTICAL FIBRES

The Furutech HF-A-NCF includes four OM3 multi-mode optical fibres. OM3 delivers a higher transmission speed and bandwidth than OM1 and OM2, and has a bending diameter of 20mm, making it easier to use in environments where fibre installation is challenging or complex. Seven high-grade copper conductors are used for communication protocols. Tension-resistant Kevlar fibre adds strength and withstands external stresses.

Optimum insulation materials are used throughout, including high-density polyethylene for the 24AWG copper conductors and special LSZH insulation for the optical fibres; all-copper conductors are insulted with FOAM-PE-SKIN. Double-layer aluminium foil shielding is used for each twisted conductor to prevent EMI and eliminate noise and crosstalk.

A robust yet highly flexible anti-resonance sheath is used and the Furutech HF-A-NCF cable has been purposely limited to a diameter of 4.7mm to produce a light and flexible cable for a near-lossless 8K signal transmission over longer distances.

FURUTECH HF-A-NCF HDMI ACTIVE OPTICAL CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

• Diameter: 4.7mm (±0.2mm) approx.
• Production lengths: 1.5m (4.9ft), 3m (9.8ft), 5m (16.4ft), 7.5m (24.6ft), 10m (32.8ft),15m (49.2ft), 20m (65.6ft) (1.5m (4.9ft) and 3m (9.8ft) lengths are tested to Furutech in-house standards. All other lengths are ATC 8K V2.1 certified).
• Supported signal specifications: 8K/60p/48Gbps, 4K/120p/32.08Gbps , HDCP1.4/2.2/2.3, eARC/ARC, HDR10/HDR10+ , VRR/60Hz~240Hz (refresh rate), DSC, QMS, QFT, ALLM.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Furutech’s HF-A-NCF ultra-high-speed HDMI cable is available now, priced as follows inc.VAT:

1.5m £220

3.0m £285

5.0m £350

7.5m £435

10.0m £500

15.0m £625

20.0m £750

HiFi Pig Says: Qualities like flexibility become more important in a cable with longer lengths, Furutech seem to have that covered here.

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