The converters inside the cable heads convert incoming electrical signal into optical on one end, and back into electrical on the other end. The Light-Link is composed of fiber cables and copper cables. The copper cables are used for non-video information such as hot plug detection, grounding, and +5v power. The fiber strands carry all the video information.
The light travels down the fibers using internal reflection, which allows the light to bounce off the cable walls similar to a bobsled. Light travels extremely fast (186,000 miles a second) so the signal arrives almost instantly without losing any quality.
Since the optical converters are housed inside the heads of the cable, there is no need for any external repeaters. This also means that there is no need for extra power adapters or patch cables.
This amazing feat of technical wizardry is accomplished in two locations: the cable heads and the cable itself. In the cable head, there is a normal HDMI connector that plugs into your HDMI device. That HDMI signal is then processed into light by the built-in converter and sent out to the other cable head. The other cable head receives this signal and converts it back to HDMI. It then is sent through the normal HDMI connector to your display. Inside the cable itself, there are two cables: a fiber cable and copper cable. The copper cable is used for hot plug detection (so the source and display devices know when both ends are plugged in) and not used for any data transmission. The fiber cable is essentially that, a bundle of fibers that transmit light. The light travels down these fibers using internal reflection, which allows the light to bounce off the cable walls similar to a bobsled. Light travels extremely fast (186,000 miles a second) so the signal can travel incredible distances and not lose any quality.