AVPro Edge has released a critical tool for AV installers, capable of extracting the audio signal from within the eARC channel of HDMI 2.1 and transmitting the data up to 100m over category cable to a centralised audio distribution system.

With nearly 30 times the audio bandwidth capacity of optical connections, eARC delivers onboard TV app high-bitrate lossless codecs, or ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV Dolby AC-4 tuner audio, to an AVR or Preamp-processor.

The kit may also transmit TOSLINK or L/R analogue audio through multi-use ports.

“Our engineers have created an outstanding solution that maintains bit-for-bit, accurately regulated data clocking for as many as 32 uncompressed audio channels over long distances,” AVPro Edge chief technology officer Matt Murray.

“Now, integrators can effortlessly distribute uncompromised audio fidelity to any zone over category cable runs of up to 100m.”

The high protocol overhead for eARC, nearly 37Mbps, provides a bandwidth rate equal to eight channels of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed PCM audio. 3D immersive audio codecs such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are precisely transported by the AC-AEX-DEARC-KIT using Category cable (Cat 6A recommended).

Using AVPro Edge’s AP-LINK technology, the AC-AEX-DEARC-KIT monitors and maintains precision audio-with-image synchronisation at the display, ensuring an artifact-free presentation for all audio content.

The AC-AEX-DEARC-KIT accurately manages the one megabit-per-second bidirectional data signal that is modulated on top of the eARC audio signal, responsible for synchronising lip-sync correction data, while also handling transmission of the regularly timed “heartbeat” signal to the television (the heartbeat signal controls the muting of built-in TV speakers).