DrPhone ARC18 HDMI Audio Extractor – HDMI to RCA 5.1CH – 4K 30Hz HDMI 1.4b – DTS/AC-3 – 3.5mm audio output

The DrPhone ARC18 is an HDMI audio extractor that extracts the audio signal from HDMI and converts it to analogue 2CH or 5.1CH audio via RCA and 3.5mm outputs. Ideal for those who want to keep HDMI video but connect audio to older amplifiers or speaker sets with analogue inputs.

Main advantages

• Extracts audio from HDMI and converts to analogue 2CH or 5.1CH via RCA and 3.5mm
• 6 RCA outputs for 5.1CH surround: SW, CEN, SR, SL, FR, FL
• Switch for PASS, 2CH and 5.1CH audio modes
• Supports HDMI 1.4b with 4K resolution up to 30Hz
• 3.5mm output for stereo audio to headphones or active speakers
• Supports audio formats such as MP3, AC3, DTS, WAV, WMA, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, APE, OGG, M4A
• Sturdy metal casing with manual volume control

Challenge and solution

Many modern HDMI devices send video and audio together via HDMI, while older amplifiers often only have analogue audio inputs. The DrPhone ARC18 solves this by extracting the HDMI audio signal and converting it to analogue 2CH or 5.1CH audio, so you can still use older audio systems without losing video quality.

What is this product used for?

• Connecting Blu-ray/DVD players to amplifiers with analogue RCA inputs
• Use with set-top boxes, media players and projectors that use HDMI
• Audio output to 5.1CH surround systems via RCA
• Stereo audio output via 3.5mm to headphones or active speakers
• Game consoles with HDMI and analogue audio setups

Technical explanation

The ARC18 uses HDMI 1.4b with HDCP 1.4 and supports resolutions up to 4K@30Hz. The device has an HDMI IN and HDMI OUT for video pass-through. The audio extraction process converts digital HDMI audio to analogue signals via six RCA outputs for 5.1CH and a 3.5mm output for stereo. The switch on the front selects between PASS (pass-through), 2CH stereo and 5.1CH surround audio. It supports various audio formats and sample rates from 32 to 192 kHz with a bit depth of 16 to 24 bit.

Specifications

Limitations

• No ARC or eARC support
• No optical Toslink output
• Does not support 4K@60Hz, only up to 4K@30Hz
• 3.5mm output only for stereo audio, not for 5.1CH

Frequently asked questions

Important product information

Note

before purchase

Suitable for

various HDMI sources

Additional product information

• This connection is useful when you want to output stereo audio to headphones, active speakers or another device with a 3.5mm input.
• The audio output runs via RCA or 3.5mm.
• Can I use 5.1 sound via the 3.5mm connection?
• Use a suitable 5V/1A USB power supply.

Related: HDMI Switches & Splitters | TV, HDMI & Video