DrPhone ARC19 HDMI ARC Audio Converter – Optical, RCA and 3.5 mm – For TV, Soundbar, Amplifier and Headphones

Does your television lack RCA or 3.5mm audio output, but you want to continue using your existing amplifier, active speakers, soundbar or wired headphones? The DrPhone ARC19 receives audio via HDMI ARC or an optical Toslink connection and sends the sound to multiple digital and analogue audio outputs.

This way, you can connect modern televisions to existing audio equipment without having to replace your entire audio system.

Main advantages

• HDMI ARC and optical Toslink input

• HDMI ARC, optical, RCA L/R and 3.5mm output

• Digital signal pass-through up to 5.1 via ARC and optical

• Analogue stereo output via RCA and 3.5 mm

• Support for a sampling frequency up to 192 kHz

• CEC volume control when used via HDMI ARC

• Physical switch for ARC or optical input

• Compact size of 90 × 73 × 21 mm

• No software or drivers required

Two different audio inputs

The DrPhone ARC19 supports two audio sources:

• HDMI ARC: for a television with an HDMI port explicitly marked with ARC

• Optical Toslink: for a television or other audio source with an optical audio output

You can easily select the desired input using the physical selector switch.

The HDMI connection is intended solely for receiving audio via HDMI ARC. The product does not have a regular HDMI video input and does not pass through video signals.

Four audio outputs

Connect various types of audio equipment via:

• HDMI ARC output: for a compatible ARC soundbar

• Optical Toslink output: for a digital audio system

• RCA L/R output: for a stereo amplifier or active speakers

• 3.5mm output: for wired headphones or active speakers

The outputs can be used simultaneously. The final operation depends on the chosen audio format and connected equipment.

Digital up to 5.1 and analogue stereo 2.0

Via the HDMI ARC and optical outputs, a digital audio signal up to 5.1 can be passed through, provided the television, audio source and receiver support the same audio format.

The RCA and 3.5mm outputs provide analogue 2.0 stereo sound. When using these analogue connections, set the audio output of the television to:

• PCM

• LPCM

• Stereo

The ARC19 does not have a confirmed function for automatically converting Dolby or DTS surround audio to analogue stereo.

Control volume with the TV remote

When using the HDMI ARC input, the volume can be controlled via the television remote when:

• The television supports HDMI ARC

• HDMI-CEC is enabled on the television

• The connected equipment supports CEC volume control

The name of HDMI-CEC varies by television brand.

When using the optical input, no CEC control commands are sent. Volume is then controlled via the connected amplifier, soundbar, speaker or headphones.

Suitable for various applications

The DrPhone ARC19 can be used for:

• Connecting a modern television to an older RCA amplifier

• Listening to TV sound with wired headphones

• Connecting a television to an optical soundbar

• Converting an optical audio signal to RCA

• Converting an optical audio signal to 3.5mm stereo

• Connecting existing active speakers to a television

• Passing digital sound to an optical or ARC audio setup

Easy installation via HDMI ARC

1. Connect the HDMI ARC port of the television to the ARC/TV input of the ARC19.

2. Set the input selector switch to ARC.

3. Connect the desired audio equipment.

4. Connect the supplied USB power cable to a suitable 5V USB power source.

5. Enable HDMI ARC and CEC via the television menu.

6. Select PCM or LPCM stereo when using RCA or 3.5 mm.

Installation via optical Toslink

1. Connect the optical output of the television or audio source to the optical input of the ARC19.

2. Set the input selector switch to Opt.

3. Connect the desired audio output.

4. Connect the USB power cable.

5. Control the volume via the connected audio equipment.

Important before purchase

Check the connections and settings of your equipment beforehand:

• The HDMI port of the television must support HDMI ARC

• A normal HDMI port without ARC is not suitable

• The product does not support HDMI video pass-through

• RCA and 3.5 mm provide only 2.0 stereo sound

• For analogue output, the television usually needs to be set to PCM or LPCM

• eARC compatibility is not guaranteed

• A game console is not connected directly via HDMI

• Audio from a game console runs via the television to the ARC19

• A USB power adapter and audio cables are not included

Technical specifications

• Brand: DrPhone

• Model: ARC19

• Product type: HDMI ARC and optical audio converter

• Audio inputs: HDMI ARC and optical Toslink

• Audio outputs: HDMI ARC, optical Toslink, RCA L/R and 3.5 mm

• Digital audio output: up to 5.1 signal pass-through

• Analogue audio output: 2.0 stereo

• Maximum sampling frequency: 192 kHz

• Volume control: via HDMI-CEC with compatible equipment

• Input selection: ARC or Optical

• Power supply: DC 5V

• Dimensions: 90 × 73 × 21 mm

• Colour: black

• Software or drivers required: no

Package contents

• 1× DrPhone ARC19 HDMI ARC Audio Converter

• 1× USB-A to DC power cable

• 1× user manual

Not included:

• USB power adapter

• HDMI cable

• Optical Toslink cable

• RCA cable

• 3.5mm audio cable

Summary

The DrPhone ARC19 is a compact audio solution for televisions without a suitable analogue audio output. With support for HDMI ARC, optical Toslink, RCA and 3.5 mm, you can connect a modern television to a soundbar, amplifier, active speakers or wired headphones. The clear distinction between digital 5.1 signal pass-through and analogue stereo output prevents incorrect settings and helps you choose the right connection for your audio system.