VAX01202 HDMI eARC Audio Extractor & Splitter

This audio extractor offers 2 operating modes:

1. The eARC Audio Extractor routes the audio signal from the television to a normal HDMI input on the sound system.
2. An HDMI audio splitter splits the signal from a source device: once for a sound system (with a black screen), and once for a television or video projector (audio & video).

• When connected to a modern TV with HDMI eARC, all audio signals are transmitted to your sound system via HDMI. An AV receiver with an HDMI 1.3 input or higher is sufficient.
• The audio from smart TV apps and HDMI sources connected to the TV, such as Apple TV, Fire TV, Xbox, and PlayStation, is transmitted in the highest audio quality – all HDMI 2.1 features of game consoles remain functional. Xbox and PlayStation can therefore be operated at 4K 120Hz with VRR.
• In HDMI audio splitter mode, the signal from an HDMI source is split between the TV/video projector and the AV receiver. The sound system receives the audio signal with a black screen via HDMI (HDMI 1.3 or higher is sufficient), while the TV receives the signal unchanged up to 4K 60Hz HDR/Dolby Vision.

HDMI eARC Audio Extractor

The VAX01202 is a solution for connecting the latest TVs with HDMI eARC to existing sound systems. Modern media players like the Xbox Series X or PlayStation PS5 can be connected directly to the TV, even via HDMI 2.1. This eliminates limitations regarding video formats or gaming. Simultaneously, high-quality audio formats can be played back as standard HDMI signals through the AV receiver. To enable this, eARC = ON and EDID to OUT2 on the VAX01202. The VAX01202 converts the eARC audio signal into a conventional HDMI signal. Therefore, the AV receiver or sound system does not need to support a new video format. A black screen plus audio is delivered. All eARC audio formats are supported, such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, PCM 5.1, Dolby MAT, and Dolby Atmos. A standard HDMI input on the sound system is sufficient. An HDMI ARC connection on a soundbar is not suitable for this purpose. To pass through PCM5.1 and PCM7.1 sound, the TV usually needs to be switched to audio passthrough mode.

Controlling the sound system's volume and muting it with the TV remote is possible with the VAX01202 if the sound system supports HDMI-CEC commands on its HDMI inputs. This generally works with AV receivers from the last 10 years. Automatically turning the AV receiver on and off along with the TV works with most device combinations. However, it's possible that it won't work with certain combinations – the HDMI-CEC protocol responsible for this is interpreted differently by different manufacturers.

HDMI Audio Splitter Mode

The VAX01202 can be used as an HDMI audio splitter after manual switching (eARC = OFF). The signal from an HDMI source device is thus split between the TV/projector and the sound system. The TV output passes through an HDMI signal up to a maximum of 4K 60Hz Dolby Vision. The sound system receives a black screen and the audio signal. This allows older AV receivers with HDMI 1.3/1.4 to be used. In this connection mode, an HDMI eARC/ARC connection is not required. The VAX01202 can therefore also be used with a video projector or monitor.

Notes:

• Power supply via USB, USB device port or AC adapter required (5V 350 mA, not included).
• Operation via the HDMI-ARC port of a soundbar is not possible ; the sound system requires a standard HDMI input (the HDMI-ARC port of a soundbar is an HDMI output!). Therefore, it is not suitable for Sonos or Bose soundbars.
• When using this device with a TV as an eARC audio extractor , please avoid a direct connection between the AV receiver and the TV, or disable HDMI-CEC on the AV receiver. Otherwise, a loop will occur, leading to a malfunction.
• Not compatible with Sony video projectors

Package contents : VAX01202, 1m USB cable for power supply

Technical data:

• HDMI version HDMI 2.0b
• Connections: 1 × HDMI Input, 2 × HDMI Output (+ eARC/ARC)
• Supported copy protection HDCP 2.3 & 1.x
• Data transfer rate 18 Gbit/s (maximum)
• Supported video formats: max. 4K @60Hz (4096 × 2160p)
• Color space RGB, YCbCr 4:4:4, 4:2:2; 4:2:0, 3 x 8–12 bit
• HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision
• Audio formats for HDMI ARC: Dolby Digital Plus (including Atmos), AC3 (Dolby Digital 5.1), DTS, LPCM 2.0
• Additional audio formats for eARC: DTS-HD, Dolby True-HD (incl. Atmos), DTS-ES 6.1, DTS-HD, DTS:X, LPCM 5.1 – 7.1, Dolby MAT
• HDMI CEC control: yes (CEC Pass Input <> OUT1 in splitter mode and CEC Pass OUT1 > OUT2 in eARC mode)
• EDID audio management Copy Out 1 / Copy Out 2, fallback 1080p 2ch
• Recommended HDMI cable length 4k 60Hz < 5 m
• Power supply: USB micro 5V
• Power consumption < 1.75 W
• Dimensions (W×L×H) 65 × 70 × 27 mm