The Arducam CSI-to-HDMI Camera Extension Kit is designed to overcome the short cable-length limitation of standard MIPI CSI-2 camera ribbon cables.

Using a standard HDMI cable as the physical extension medium, the kit allows a compatible Raspberry Pi or NVIDIA Jetson camera to be positioned approximately 3 to 5 meters away from the host board, depending on the camera, host platform, and HDMI cable quality.

The kit requires no additional software or special configuration for supported cameras, making it an effective solution for robotics, machine vision, security systems, remote camera installations, and embedded vision projects.

Key Features

• Extends MIPI CSI-2 camera connections
• Camera extension distance of approximately 3–5 meters
• Uses standard HDMI cable as the extension medium
• Compatible with Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson platforms
• Supports official Raspberry Pi Camera Modules
• Supports multiple Arducam camera series
• No additional software or configuration required for supported cameras
• Includes both 15-pin and 22-pin FPC cables
• More durable than long FPC ribbon cables
• Better suited to installations involving bending or cable routing
• Reserved audio/GPIO signal connections
• Compact adapter dimensions: approximately 27.63 × 25mm

Extend Your Raspberry Pi Camera Up to 3–5 Meters

Standard MIPI CSI-2 FPC ribbon cables are designed for relatively short connections and can become inconvenient or unreliable when the camera must be installed far from the host board.

This extension kit uses a pair of adapter boards and a standard HDMI cable to carry the camera interface over a significantly longer distance.

Typical achievable distance is approximately:

3 to 5 meters

Actual maximum distance depends on:

• Raspberry Pi or Jetson model
• Camera module
• Camera resolution and operating mode
• HDMI cable quality
• Cable construction
• Environmental conditions

For applications requiring distances longer than approximately 5 meters, an Ethernet-based camera extension solution is generally more suitable.

Supported Raspberry Pi Cameras

The kit supports compatible Raspberry Pi camera modules including:

• Raspberry Pi Camera Module V1 – 5MP OV5647
• Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 – 8MP IMX219
• Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 – 12MP IMX708
• Raspberry Pi HQ Camera – IMX477

Supported Arducam Cameras

Compatible Arducam camera families include:

• Arducam OV5647 Series
• Arducam IMX219 Series
• Arducam IMX477 Series
• Arducam 16MP Series
• Arducam 64MP Series
• Compatible Arducam NVIDIA Jetson Camera Series

Compatibility may vary between specific camera models and host platforms.

Supported Host Platforms

The extension kit is designed for compatible camera interfaces on platforms including:

• Raspberry Pi 5
• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
• Raspberry Pi 2
• Raspberry Pi Model A / B / B+
• Raspberry Pi Zero series
• Compatible NVIDIA Jetson boards

The included 15-pin and 22-pin FPC cables provide flexibility for different Raspberry Pi and Jetson camera connector configurations.

No Additional Software Required

The adapter acts as a physical extension of the camera connection rather than a USB or network camera converter.

For supported camera and host combinations, no additional driver, software, or camera configuration is required specifically for the extension adapters.

The camera continues to operate through the host system's normal CSI camera interface.

Improved Cable Durability

Long FPC ribbon cables can be difficult to route and are relatively vulnerable to repeated bending, twisting, moisture, and environmental changes.

Using a conventional HDMI cable between the two adapter boards provides a more robust physical connection for applications where the camera must be positioned farther away from the host computer.

Additional Signal Connections

The adapter provides a reserved 3.5mm jack connection that can be used for additional audio or GPIO-related signals depending on the project configuration.

Three additional solder pads carrying corresponding signals are also provided for custom integration.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: MIPI CSI-2 Camera Extension Adapter Kit
• Extension Medium: HDMI Cable
• Typical Extension Distance: Approx. 3–5m
• Camera Interface: MIPI CSI-2
• 15-Pin FPC Support: Yes
• 22-Pin FPC Support: Yes
• Additional Signal Interface: 3.5mm jack
• Additional Signal Pads: 3
• Adapter Board Size: Approx. 27.63 × 25mm
• Software Configuration: No additional configuration required for supported combinations

Typical Connection

The basic connection is:

CSI Camera → FPC Cable → CSI-to-HDMI Adapter → HDMI Cable → CSI-to-HDMI Adapter → FPC Cable → Raspberry Pi / Jetson

The HDMI cable acts only as the cable between the two CSI extension adapters.

Typical Applications

• Robotics vision systems
• Remote Raspberry Pi cameras
• Machine vision
• AI computer vision
• Security cameras
• Industrial inspection
• CNC monitoring
• 3D printer monitoring
• Remote sensor systems
• Embedded vision
• Smart agriculture
• Research projects
• Camera installations inside machinery
• Raspberry Pi AI projects
• NVIDIA Jetson vision projects

Package Includes

• 2 × Arducam CSI-to-HDMI Camera Extension Modules
• 2 × 60mm 15-pin FPC Cables
• 2 × 73mm 22-pin FPC Cables
• 4 × Sets of M2 Mounting Screws

Important Note – This Is Not an HDMI Video Converter

Although the extension system uses an HDMI cable, it does not convert the CSI camera signal into standard HDMI video.

The HDMI cable is used only as a convenient multi-conductor cable between the two extension modules.

Do not connect the adapter directly to an HDMI monitor, TV, HDMI capture card, or standard HDMI input/output device.

Both adapter modules must be used as part of the CSI camera extension system.

Cable Length Recommendation

For reliable operation, use a good-quality HDMI cable and keep the extension within approximately 3–5 meters.

Maximum achievable distance can vary depending on the camera, Raspberry Pi or Jetson platform, operating mode, and HDMI cable quality. For significantly longer camera connections, an Ethernet-based camera extension system is recommended.