Hall Research EMX-HD-AUD HDMI Audio Extractor with EDID Management

Use this device to extract the audio from any HDMI video signal for connection to audio equipment. The HDMI signal is reconditioned and boosted as it passes through the device, so it can also serve as an extender. The audio extractor also features EDID management (pass-thru or emulate), So it can emulate any HDMI display and is capable of extracting the audio even if no actual display is connected to the output. Both Toslink (digital) and two channel stereo analog outputs are available on the device.

The EMX-HD-AUD is an HDMI transceiver, so it not only re-clocks the video data, it also separates and buffers the DDC channel on which EDID and HDCP are communicated. This can often resolve system-level HDMI signal-chain issues since the EMX-HD-AUD acts as an intelligent intermediary.

The EMX-HD-AUD can be powered from the HDMI source connected to its input and no additional power supply connection is needed for most applications. The package includes a universal power supply in case the power from the HDMI input source is insufficient. The power supply is plugged in at the USB connector. When the USB port is connected to a PC (cable supplied), the unit is powered by the PC through the USB connection. The EMX-HD-AUD also provides useful diagnostic information that can help is resolving compatibility of components in the video signal chain.

Multi-color LEDs on the unit indicate the mode of operation with regards to EDID routing and also provide real-time status on the HDMI video and audio signals. For example the LEDs can identify presence of audio and whether it is 2-channel or multi-channel. Similarly the detection of video from source is indicated and it identifies whether there is HDCP on the video or not.

When connected to a PC via the USB port, further details about the HDMI signal is available. The extracted audio is output as analog stereo on a standard 3.5mm connector as well as in digital audio format (SPDIF) on an optical Toslink connector. Normally the audio is left intact on the HDMI output, however the user can remove or mute the audio that is on the HDMI output. Doing so may be advantageous in applications where the connected TV's speakers may be causing interference or echo due to the delay in the audio heard from the TV. Muting the audio output from the HDMI would ensure no sound is heard from the TV even if its volume is turned up.

The EMX-HD-AUD constructs an EDID table (capabilities list) for the connected source. This table is either copied verbatim from the connected display when the unit is in Pass-thru mode or substitutes an internal EDID data from on board memory when in Emulate mode. The internal EDID data can be learned from any connected display by using the buttons on the box. EDID data can also be uploaded to the EMX-HD-AUD from a PC via the USB port. The device maintains HDCP compliance regardless of the EDID routing mode, so HDCP protected content passes through the system with protection intact even when the EDID is emulated from internal memory.

The EMX-HD-AUD is HDMI 1.3 and 1.4 (deep-color and 3D) compatible and automatically compensates for the signal degradation caused by long cables of up to 50 ft (15 m) on its input and can drive HDMI cables on its output to 30 ft (10 m).

The package includes a universal power supply, a USB cable for connection to a PC and the User's Manual. Free Windows PC software is available from the Hall Research website. This software allows reading, saving, manipulating and writing EDID tables to and from the device. The software can also control the operational modes and provides diagnostics such as indication of the HDMI input signal's video and audio characteristics. Edit the EDIDs using 3rd party free software.