FIBBR Pure 2 Fiber Optic HDMI Cable Review

So, I was happy to see that FIBBR sent me a sample of their new fiber optic HDMI Pure 2, in a 2-meter length. It’s claiming some impressive specs, so let’s plug in this new cable and see if it lives up to the hype!

This is the first time I’ve heard of FIBBR, so here’s a brief history of the company. FIBBR is a joint manufacturer of the world’s largest fiber optic cable factory – Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (also known as ‘YOFC’), and Asia’s most powerful chip company – VIA Technologies. FIBBR has dedicated its time to active optical cable (AOC) research, development, and production. With copper reaching its physical limits in terms of distance and bandwidth, FIBBR cable is the smart choice for integrators. AOCs by FIBBR offer reliably high bandwidth, extremely low signal attenuation, and high resistance to external electromagnetic interference – all necessary features that assure the best signal-to-noise ratio. FIBBR’s proprietary BendRobust™ technology is an industry first that allows the fiber to be bent 180-degrees for easy management of difficult placements.

The Pure 2 arrived in its product packaging, encased in hard foam. It looks and feels expensive. Checking out the specs of the cable, it can be run without external power, and if the device is unable to power it, USB ends are built in to provide external power. This is the HDMI upgrade you have been waiting for, as the quality of the connectors is outstanding! FIBBR claims 24Gbps bandwidth, 12-bit color depth with 4K at 60Hz, 4:4:4. Pure 2 also combines the Data Display Channel (DDC) and the Hot Plug Detection (HPD) signals into a single copper wire, using FIBBR’s own “TransFuture” Technology, where two microcontroller units manage both signals at once. This helps to ensure EDID and HDCP 2.2 operations stay smooth and reliable. FIBBR claims to use the highest-quality glass fiber, sourced from YOFC, the world’s largest fiber producer. What this provides is an extreme level of flexibility. FIBBR calls it “BendRobust” technology which allows the cable to bend up to 180 degrees. I played with the cable myself and it is amazingly flexible. It’s a major upgrade from copper.

The jacket has been updated since I checked out a pre-production sample a few weeks ago. It is now far smoother and better able to be pulled inside walls and conduits. It has a CMP or Plenum rating which is the most stringent fire test for use in residential and commercial spaces. It won’t give off toxic fumes in a fire. And it is fully CL-rated.

This cable has some very strong pros and some manageable cons. I really liked the connectors, they are solid and well built. The first word I could think of would be “quality” when I felt the solid metal connectors. And I was glad to see a CL-rating. The best part though is its flexibility. I can’t believe how effortlessly it bends up to 180 degrees. This is a custom integration game-changer! I really hope the final selling price is reasonable because I think it’s an excellent design. Then, FIBBR will hit a home run with the Pure2. I will be keeping my eye on future FIBBR cables.