Do you want to extract audio from HDMI? You’re in luck! This blog post will teach you how to do it right. HDMI is a cable that can carry video and audio signals. So, if you want to use your home theater as a sound system or connect to an external amplifier or sound system, you will need an HDMI audio extractor.
There are many different types of HDMI audio extractors on the market, so deciding which one is best for you can be challenging. This blog post will discuss the essential features when choosing an HDMI audio extractor, and we will recommend some of the best models available.
What is HDMI?
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It is a type of cable that can carry both video and audio signals. HDMI cables connect digital devices, such as Blu-Ray players or video game consoles, to TVs or monitors.
The audio signal is encoded in the same way as if you were using analog cables (RCA). But instead of being carried by four separate wires inside a single cable, all four channels are multiplexed together on one wire at high frequency. This allows them to fit into smaller connectors and reduce cost compared to using individual RCA jacks for each channel’s signal (which require more pins).
HDMI is the standard for connecting high-definition devices. It is the most popular cable used to connect digital devices to TVs and monitors nowadays.
What does an HDMI Audio Extractor do?
An HDMI Audio Extractor is a device that converts the audio signal encoded in HDMI to analog or digital signals to send to an external amplifier or sound system.
It’s prevalent for people who own TVs and monitors without built-in speakers to use their home theater as a sound system. If you have an older TV or monitor with only one HDMI port (and no other inputs/outputs), using it as your primary display means being unable to connect to other audio devices, such as a soundbar or home theater system.
Another typical case is for people who want to send their consoles (PS5, PS4, Xbox, etc.) or streaming devices (Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick) audio to an external amplifier or sound system.
This is where an HDMI Audio Extractor comes in handy! It allows you to extract the audio signal from HDMI and send it to an external amplifier or sound system. This can be a great way to improve the sound quality of your TV or monitor, especially if you are using an older model that doesn’t have excellent speakers.
Some extractors have audio and video outputs, while others only have audio outputs. Some HDMI audio extractors support surround sound, while others only support stereo sound. Some extractors have analog outputs, while others have digital outputs such as optical or another HDMI (HDMI vs. optical compared). Other extractors support simultaneous analog and digital outputs.
Knowing what kind of audio you need is important before choosing an HDMI Audio Extractor. Do you want just a simple stereo sound? Or would surround sound be better for your needs (surround vs. stereo comparison)? Does your audio system or home theatre support analog or digital audio inputs (RCA, coaxial cable)?
Knowing all this information will help you choose an extractor with the needed features.
Best HDMI audio extractors in the market
There are many different HDMI audio extractors in the market. Some of them are good, others not so much. It is essential to choose a high-quality extractor that won’t degrade the sound quality or video resolution when it extracts the audio signal from the HDMI input!
The best way to do this is by looking at reviews from customers who have purchased these products and reading what they say about them on Amazon (for example).
Here are a few things you need to keep in mind.
1. An HDMI audio extractor should not degrade the signal quality
This is the most important thing to consider when choosing an HDMI audio extractor. The extractor should not reduce the video resolution or degrade the sound quality of the audio signal when it extracts it from HDMI.
2. Video resolution is important
Ensure you know the maximum resolution your TV or monitor can handle before buying an HDMI Audio Extractor. Many high-end models support resolutions up to 1080p. However, 4K TVs are becoming more common these days, and therefore you may need to get an extractor with a higher resolution.
With this in mind, some of our favorite models are:
J-Tech Digital 4K 60HZ HDMI Audio Extractor
This extractor has a maximum resolution of 3840×2160 at 60hz and supports digital and analog audio outputs. It’s easy to set up but doesn’t support surround sound on some devices.
- 𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐎 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 - Extract the digital HDMI audio signal from the HDMI input and convert it to 2 channel analog stereo output or multi-channel Audio (SPDIF) output. **NOTE: This unit will only pass Dolby Digital/DTS audio formats, it will NOT decode these formats for the analog output. If using the analog output, make sure your HDMI source is set to PCM audio.
- 𝟒𝐊 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐇𝐃 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐃𝐌𝐈 𝟐.𝟎 | 𝟏𝟎𝟖𝟎𝐏 𝟏𝟒𝟒𝐇𝐳 | 𝟏𝟎𝟖𝟎𝐏 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝐇𝐳 - Supports the highest video resolution to 1080P@144Hz, 1080P@120Hz, 4K 50/60HZ (YUV444). Supports HDMI 2.0b (18Gbps) HDCP 2.2 and DVI compliant; Supports HDR10(We suggest using HDMI 2.0 certified cable to get HDR10 compatibility)
- 𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐎 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 - 2CH for L/R or SPDIF stereo output; 5.1CH for SPDIF Output, Supports uncompressed audio such as LPCM. Supports DTS Digital / Dolby Digital pass through (Our device does not decode the digital audio, you will still need an end display that is compatible with those formats) ; DOES NOT SUPPORT ARC FUNCTION.
- 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 - Supports HDMI HIGH Bit Rate(HBR) audio pass through; Audio sample rates up to 192kHZ;10 Bit HDR pass through.; Supports CEC bypass
- 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 – All J-Tech Digital products include a One-Year Manufacturer Replacement Warranty and free lifetime technical support from our customer support team located in Sugar Land, TX. Support is available from 9AM – 6PM CST, Monday through Friday. Contact information available on our seller page.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Amazon Basics HDMI audio extractor
This extractor has a maximum resolution of 3840×216 at 30hz and supports digital (optical) and analog audio outputs. It supports two-channel analog stereo or multi-channel audio through SPDIF.
- HDMI to HDMI audio extractor converter box in durable metal housing
- Supports HDMI source devices without dedicated audio output
- Supports two channel left-right or SPDIF stereo output and uncompressed and compressed audio
- Supports up to 4k video resolution; 8-bit 4K (30 Hz), 12-bit 1080p (60 Hz), or 12-bit 720p/1080i (60 Hz), plus 3D formats
- Compatible with devices such as Blue-ray, DVD/HD/DVR players, cable/satellite, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, PS3/4, Xbox, PC/laptop, HD cameras and more
- Note: The default channel setting is 2.0CH and that the 5.1CH audio output is only support by the Toslink and coaxial sockets. If the audio source is unable to support 5.1CH output it will default to 2.0
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Monoprice BlackbirdTM 4K Series audio extractor
Another good option for tight budgets, but this one supports 7.1 channel audio.
- Compliant with HDMI, HDCP 1.2, and DVI 1.0 HDMI audio sampling rates up to 192 kHz; Digital Optical S/PDIF (Toslink) audio sampling rates up to 192 kHz;
- HDMI supports High-Bit-Rate (HBR) audio; No HDMI output connection is required to receive audio at the analog and optical outputs; Features 4x 3.5mm TRS jacks for analog multi-channel audio output
- Supports built-in audio EDID switching between LPCM 7.1CH, TV (external) EDID, and Bitstream audio (raw digital audio); Supports CEC pass-through; Supports 4K (3840x2160p) resolution and 3D video sign
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Extract audio from HDMI – The bottom line
Extracting audio from an HDMI signal can be a great way to improve the sound quality of your TV or monitor, primarily if you use built-in speakers. Many different HDMI audio extractors are available, so it’s important to know what kind of audio you need before choosing one.
Whether playing video games, watching movies with an old TV or audio system, or wanting something better than built-in speakers on your TV or monitor, an HDMI Audio Extractor is a great way to go!
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Michel
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
from the HDMI of my PC screen 3440x1440 100 Hz, the splitter (4K 60 Hz) doesn't give HDMI output.
Harold
Saturday 9th of April 2022
I am looking for an HDMI extractor that will work with a 4K Firestick to give me the full digital audio and video through the HDMI Out port simultaneous with stereo sound through either RCA jacks or a stereo audio jack.