Can someone recommend a 4K balun under $300 dealer cost that just works? We don't need any extra features, just video. Preferably something that can go up to 200 feet with 4K, and not cause hdmi handshake issues. Thanks.

There is a reason why some cost more. That reason is usually “just works”.

I have had the best experience with AVPro Edge.

AVPro makes killer baluns.

+1 AV Pro Edge

Who’s the distributor?

Blackwire is one

extender not balun

Hands down try the Zektor HDBaseT equipment. They have worked when ALL else have failed.

They are the AAMRAM of the this category.....hit and forget it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give them a call, you will not be disappointed.

Plus with every new (and big) order you get some of Jeff's jerky, best beef jerky that you have ever tasted!!

believe it or not... imma vanco fan, theyve always "worked" for me

This is an argument I've pretty much given up on.
Rant on:

It's no good saying that if you say "balun" and you don't mean balanced to unbalanced converter, you're an idiot. Many demonstrably non-idiots keep calling these things baluns.

It's no good saying that when a signal requiring 19 (is that right?) individual wires is put through a device that makes it go over a CAT cable, or even a single wire, that IS NOT a balun. In fact, since HDMI requires those 19 wires, it's not even sensible to say "HDMI over CAT5" or anything at all like it. But people do.

You can't even get people to say the damn word right. "Bal," from "balanced," rhymes with "pal" and "un" is just "un." IT IS NOT A BAY-LUN.

Just give up.

Rant off.

It depends what you need for 4K. If you want full 4K with WCG, higher bit depths and HDR then you need one that has compression and can compress an 18gbs signal to 10gbs because Cat6 is not capable of 18gbs. These will usually say something like it has virtually lossless or invisible compression. The reality is the compression does decrease picture quality somewhat but can still look very good. But, if Cat6 wire is all you got they can be a good solution.

AVPro already mentioned has some very good algorithms for their compression and the one I would go with if possible Atlona also has a model that will do this and is within your budget. I'm not sure if Ethereal or Zektor makes models with compression yet but worth a call.

If you need just basic 4K with HDR then Vanco might work but Zektor, Ethereal/metra, Snap AV, AVPro, etc. make models that should work and be within your price range. I would definitely look for a company that has good tech support for this category.

Bob covers a lot with that post.
HDBaseT currently by default supports 4K, 4:2:0, 10 bit with HDR (anything on streaming and disc which is capped at around 13.65 Gbps) with light compression, if you want to properly support an XBox 1X you will want a much high compression.
Please note: 4K/60, 4:4:4, 10 Bit & HDR is actually approaching 24 Gbps, so claims on extenders of doing same are very suspect.

I've banned people from my HDMI Sucks Facebook page for arguing with me when I tell them they are extenders, not baluns.

Yes, I'm petty.

Vanco has been pretty good for me.

The distributor recommended to try Vanco as well. They said they have the newer chipset now that "should" fix the issue. We've never used them for video distribution, but they do have a great price point if they work!