Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some advice on audio extractors. I want to separate audio from an HDMI signal so I can run it through a separate speaker system without affecting the video output.
My main concern is audio quality—I'd prefer minimal loss or lag. Are there any particular brands or models you’d recommend?
Also, are there specific features I should look out for, like support for 5.1 surround sound or compatibility with different HDMI versions?
Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I'm looking for some advice on audio extractors. I want to separate audio from an HDMI signal so I can run it through a separate speaker system without affecting the video output.
My main concern is audio quality—I'd prefer minimal loss or lag. Are there any particular brands or models you’d recommend?
Also, are there specific features I should look out for, like support for 5.1 surround sound or compatibility with different HDMI versions?
Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
As with any shady corner of the hobbies we discuss here, analysis of your current system/ use case and plans for any future upgrades are important factors in the calculus.
Have no experience in this area, but maybe take a look at the HD Fury and Orei product lines.
https://hdfury.com/
https://www.orei.com/collections/audio-extractor
Have no experience in this area, but maybe take a look at the HD Fury and Orei product lines.
https://hdfury.com/
https://www.orei.com/collections/audio-extractor
HDMI requires a "sink" device to specify the audio format. The HDMI transmitting device queries the sink using the EDID protocol to determine what type of video and audio it needs to send. There are two main types of HDMI audio extractors: those that can act as a sink and those that are "passthrough".
The passthrough versions will have an HDMI input port and an output port, and they will extract the audio format that is specified by the monitor or TV. Since most monitors and TV's are stereo, the audio output is SPDIF coax and/or TOSLINK, with stereo analog outputs and usually a headphone jack. This type of audio extractor is great for a PC monitor. If you have a 4K monitor, you will need a 4K extractor like this one: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24278. There are cheaper versions on Amazon and Aliexpress that probably have the same internals, but the Monoprice version is a proven product. You can send the SPDIF audio to your own DAC or receiver and there is no latency and no loss. If you are using a Windows PC as a source, you will be able to control the digital audio from your computer, which is really nice. If you don't use a PC as a source, the volume will be at maximum, and you will need a volume control somewhere else. The analog output from these boxes is through a DAC built into the HDMI repeater chip, and it probably isn't "audiophile quality".
The other type of extractor can act as a sink. It has a set of EDID tables that you can select to get the host to output different audio formats such as stereo, 5.1, 7.1, compressed, etc. This type of extractor will have "EDID" in the description. They are a lot more flexible, but usually a lot more expensive.
The passthrough versions will have an HDMI input port and an output port, and they will extract the audio format that is specified by the monitor or TV. Since most monitors and TV's are stereo, the audio output is SPDIF coax and/or TOSLINK, with stereo analog outputs and usually a headphone jack. This type of audio extractor is great for a PC monitor. If you have a 4K monitor, you will need a 4K extractor like this one: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24278. There are cheaper versions on Amazon and Aliexpress that probably have the same internals, but the Monoprice version is a proven product. You can send the SPDIF audio to your own DAC or receiver and there is no latency and no loss. If you are using a Windows PC as a source, you will be able to control the digital audio from your computer, which is really nice. If you don't use a PC as a source, the volume will be at maximum, and you will need a volume control somewhere else. The analog output from these boxes is through a DAC built into the HDMI repeater chip, and it probably isn't "audiophile quality".
The other type of extractor can act as a sink. It has a set of EDID tables that you can select to get the host to output different audio formats such as stereo, 5.1, 7.1, compressed, etc. This type of extractor will have "EDID" in the description. They are a lot more flexible, but usually a lot more expensive.
There is an HDMI de-embedding device under this thread, but it only supports HDMI1.4b output and 4 sets of AES/EBU output (8 channels)
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/7-1-channel-4aes-ebu-to-hdmi-output-converter.419754/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/7-1-channel-4aes-ebu-to-hdmi-output-converter.419754/
Obscure but cheap, (paid $99USD in 2014) GOFANCO HDAUDEXT. Passthrough, recognizes EDID for bitstream output, SPDIF coax, RCA L/R and two channel balanced Phoenix connector output,
which I wired as XLR to active PA speakers.
Reconfiguring my FrankenLAN and Asustor AS5402T NAS, HDMI 2.0b output,
the HDAUDEXT balanced out is now routed to a biamped Behringer iNuke1000 DSP, repurposing old ewaste into a DIY-converted furniture 20U homelab studio rack.
The digital coax, rarely used but is clean of jitter,
connected to a (interweb tutorial, several versions) hardware-modded cheapo chinesium 5.1 to stereo3.5mm output decoder that supports switching 2x TOSLINK and SPDIF coax (HD AUDIO RUSH DECODER, $10USD with $1 of mod resistors and capacitors).
Godspeed
which I wired as XLR to active PA speakers.
Reconfiguring my FrankenLAN and Asustor AS5402T NAS, HDMI 2.0b output,
the HDAUDEXT balanced out is now routed to a biamped Behringer iNuke1000 DSP, repurposing old ewaste into a DIY-converted furniture 20U homelab studio rack.
The digital coax, rarely used but is clean of jitter,
connected to a (interweb tutorial, several versions) hardware-modded cheapo chinesium 5.1 to stereo3.5mm output decoder that supports switching 2x TOSLINK and SPDIF coax (HD AUDIO RUSH DECODER, $10USD with $1 of mod resistors and capacitors).
Godspeed
I have had success with a non-EDID extractor by using a 'Dummy HDMI plug'. (Ali or Ebay have lower priced items.)
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07FB8GJ1Z?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_nz&th=1
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07FB8GJ1Z?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_nz&th=1