With this HDMI switch with ARC Pass you can play the sound of external HDMI sources via a soundbar with ARC or eARC connection. This is useful if your soundbar only has one HDMI port or you want to connect more HDMI sources. The sound then no longer depends on which audio formats the TV or video projector supports. Because the HDMI players deliver the sound via the switch to the soundbar. A limitation of the audio formats by the television is thus circumvented. Even projectors or monitors, which usually do not have an HDMI-ARC connection, can then be operated with a soundbar.
You can also play Dolby Atmos sound via a connected streaming box. The HDMI ARC Pass Switch enables the connection of 3 HDMI sources such as media players, satellite receivers and PCs. Switching takes place automatically to the last activated device, or by button on the front of the device, or by infrared remote control. If a TV with HDMI-ARC connection is connected, the internal TV sound can also be played back via the soundbar. So the sound from cable TV, satellite TV and smart TV apps also comes through the soundbar. Select the audio EDID on the HDMI switch to set the maximum audio format to 7.1, 5.1 or 2.0 or auto-negotiate. If your soundbar has HDMI inputs, HDMI sources connected to them can also be played back. In the video area, the switch supports Ultra-HD resolutions up to 2160p at 60Hz, 3D, HDR formats such as HLG-HDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The volume can be adjusted as usual using the TV remote control, since HDMI-CEC is supported.
The switch is available in two versions, namely as an ARC and as an eARC version. above ARC Sound formats up to Dolby Digital Plus (including Dolby Atmos) can be transported. Theoretically, you can use the eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). Everyone Audio formats are transmitted. However, this only works if the connected soundbar also has an HDMI connection with eARC.
Who needs which HDMI switch?
The VAX04100 is suitable for users of soundbars with an ARC connection, eg Sonos Beam Gen. 1, Bose Soundbar 500 / 700. All technically possible audio formats that the soundbar can process are transmitted in this way. The VAX4100 transmits the sound from streaming boxes such as Fire TV Cube or Nvidia Shield in Dolby Digital Plus including Dolby Atmos.
Even higher audio formats require the VAX04101. Owners of a soundbar with eARC interface, eg Sonos Arc, Sonos Beam Gen. 2, Bose 900, LG SN7CY should therefore use the VAX04101. If you want to use an Apple TV 4K or an Xbox One S/X to play movies with Dolby Atmos, you should also use the VAX04101. Because these players deliver Dolby Atmos multi-channel sound decoded, what Not can be transmitted via ARC. Accordingly, the sound system must support the eARC protocol for playback in Dolby Atmos. The same applies to playing Blu-Ray Discs: Dolby TrueHD and DTS:X or DTS-HD only work with the VAX4101.
VAX04100 HDMI ARC Pass Switch
- for connection to streaming boxes (except Apple TV 4K and Xbox), Playstation and cable/satellite receivers such as Sky Q
- fits any soundbar with HDMI-ARC connection
- for playback of Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 and Dolby Atmos
VAX04101 HDMI eARC pass switch
- for connection to any HDMI source, especially Apple TV 4K, Xbox, PC and Blu-Ray player
- fits soundbars with HDMI eARC connection
- for playback of all audio formats including Dolby TrueHD with Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD with DTS:X
Common properties:
- supports Ultra-HD video formats up to 4K 60Hz (2160p) as well as HDR10, HLG-HDR, Dolby Vision (including 3D and Full-HD)
- maximum data rate 18 Gbps according to HDMI 2.0b
- including infrared remote control for switching the inputs and the output
- 5 HDMI ports to connect 3 HDMI sources, a soundbar and TV or video projector
- supports HDCP 2.2 copy protection
- supports HDMI CEC
- Power consumption < 2 W
- Dimensions 183 × 85 × 19mm
