HDMI Audio Extractors & Audio Converters

Audio embedders and converters sort out the awkward gaps between video sources, displays and sound systems: pulling audio out of an HDMI feed so it can reach a mixer or amplifier, putting a separate audio feed back into HDMI, or translating between optical, coax and analogue. Typical buyers are installers fitting meeting rooms, bars and classrooms, and crews feeding a PA from a laptop or media player.

Everything here is from CYP. The HDMI side splits into embedders, which add audio to an HDMI signal, and de-embedders, which extract it. For 1080p systems there are the AU-11CA embedder and AU-11CD de-embedder, both with a repeater output so the picture carries on to the display. For 4K work the HDMI 2.0 versions are the AU-11CA-4K22 and AU-11CD-4K22, plus the AU-11SA-4K22 with 7.1 analogue outputs for multichannel systems. The AU-11PRO does both jobs in one 4K unit and adds ARC, handy when the audio needs to come back from the display.

The AU-D models handle plain digital and analogue conversion: the USB powered AU-D1 optical to analogue stereo converter, the bi-directional AU-D2 coax/optical converter, the 192kHz AU-D3-192, the AU-D4 analogue to digital converter (RCA to coax and optical) and the AU-D12 2-way optical (Toslink) splitter. The AU-D18 lip sync corrector adds 0 to 300ms of delay to analogue stereo when the sound runs ahead of the picture.

To choose, start with the resolution of the HDMI chain and which direction the audio is travelling, then match the channel count: stereo, 5.1 or 7.1. To send HDMI or audio over longer distances, see HDMI & AV Extenders, and for taking the extracted audio into a sound system, Install Mixers.

Audio Embedders & Converters FAQs

What is the difference between an HDMI audio embedder and a de-embedder? An embedder inserts a separate audio signal into an HDMI stream, while a de-embedder extracts the audio from HDMI so it can feed an amplifier, mixer or soundbar. The CYP AU-11PRO does both in one 4K unit.

Why is the sound out of sync with the picture? Displays and video processing often delay the picture slightly, so the audio arrives early. The CYP AU-D18 adds 0 to 300ms of delay to an analogue stereo feed so the two can be lined back up.

Can I convert optical audio to analogue for an amplifier or powered speaker? Yes. The AU-D1 converts optical to analogue stereo, and the AU-D3-192 converts coax or optical to analogue at up to 192kHz.