This HDMI 2.0 Audio Extractor separates the audio signal from an HDMI signal and routes it to your AV receiver, soundbar, or active speakers. This allows you to continue using older audio devices with modern Ultra-HD sources – even if your receiver or soundbar doesn't have a suitable 4K HDMI input.
The VAX00102 extracts the sound directly from the HDMI signal and provides it via various connections:
- Toslink (optical)
- SPDIF RCA / Coaxial (digital electrical)
- 2× RCA analog Stereo
The video signal is looped through unchanged and without loss. Resolutions up to Ultra-HD / 4K HDR with up to 18 Gbit/s data rate are supported. The audio extractor is naturally backward compatible with lower resolutions.
Multichannel sound despite stereo TV
TVs or projectors only have integrated stereo speakers. Therefore, HDMI sources often only output stereo sound – even if Dolby Digital or DTS would actually be available.
With the VAX00102, you can bypass this problem. Using the audio mode switch, you determine which audio format your HDMI source should output. The audio extractor does not convert formats, but ensures that the original audio format is output.
For example, you can send true 5.1 surround sound to your AV receiver, even though the connected TV only supports stereo.
Audio Modes
Auto / Bypass
The HDMI source automatically outputs the best audio format supported by the connected HDMI device. HD audio and 7.1 sound are also possible.
2.0
Stereo output on all audio outputs.
5.1
Output in 5.1 format, if a suitable audio track is available.
Important note on HD audio
Dolby Digital Plus as well as HD audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD can only be transmitted via HDMI. Via SPDIF Toslink or Coaxial, depending on the source material, the following formats are possible:
- LPCM Stereo (2.0)
- Dolby Digital / AC-3 (5.1)
- DTS (5.1)
Please note: Some media players (e.g., Fire TV HD, Fire TV Select, Chromecast / Google TV) only output sound in stereo or Dolby Digital Plus – but not in Dolby Digital. Dolby Digital Plus cannot be transmitted via the SPDIF of the Audio Extractor. With such a player, only stereo is possible here, no 5.1 sound. However, with players like Apple TV, Magenta TV, or Fire TV Max, 5.1 audio output is possible.
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is supported. This allows you to output the sound from your TV (from the tuner or TV apps) via the digital audio outputs of the extractor – ideal for streaming apps on a smart TV.
For example, you can use Netflix, Amazon Prime, or YouTube directly on your TV and play the sound through your surround system. Your TV must have an HDMI-ARC or HDMI-eARC port (almost all TV devices have this) and CEC control must be enabled on the TV.
Please note that the analog audio output of the VAX00102 (RCA L & R) remains silent when ARC is activated.
Using HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
Additional Functions
The VAX00102 offers two practical additional functions:
HDMI Compatibility Mode
A switch allows you to activate a downgrade to HDMI 1.3 / 1.4. This improves the compatibility of older HDMI devices with modern HDMI 2.0 TVs.
Image Deactivation
With another switch, you can deactivate the video signal. The connected display then remains black, while the sound continues to be output. Practical, for example, for pure audio playback without a screen.
| Supported Video Resolution | up to 4K @ 60Hz YUV 4:4:4 including HDR / HDR10+ / Dolby Vision |
| Supported Copy Protection | HDCP 2.2 and 1.4 |
| Supports HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | yes, via SPDIF audio outputs |
| Supported Digital Audio Formats on SPDIF RCA coax / Toslink outputs | Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS, LPCM 2.0 stereo |
| D/A converter for analog output | 24-Bit max. 192 kHz CS4354 |
| Supported Sampling Rate Digital Audio | 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz |
| Supported Audio Formats HDMI (passthrough): | Dolby True-HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS-HD Master Audio, DTD-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS, LPCM 7.1 / 5.0 / 2.0, DSD |
| HDMI-CEC Passthrough | no |
| Range with standard HDMI cable 24AWG | at 1080p: max. 10 m at input + 8 m at output
|
| Dimensions (W×L×H) | 105 x 62 x 22 mm |
| Power supply | via supplied 5V DC plug-in power supply |
