BK-4927 Overview and Use Cases – OREI

What Is the BK-4927?

The OREI BK-4927 is an 8K@60Hz 4-port HDMI switch with audio extraction. It allows you to connect up to four HDMI media sources to one TV while also sending high-quality audio to a non-eARC soundbar or AVR through a dedicated HDMI Audio Only output.

The BK-4927 is designed for modern home theater and gaming setups where users want to connect multiple devices such as a PS5, Xbox Series X, Apple TV, Blu-ray player, PC, cable box, or streaming device to one TV and an AV Receiver (AVR) or Amplifier.

Built for modern home theater and gaming setups, the BK-4927 supports HDMI 2.1 features, including resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz. It also supports advanced video technologies such as HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HDCP 2.3, helping deliver sharper visuals, smoother motion, and richer color quality.

The BK-4927 supports HDMI 2.1, HDCP 2.3, with a video bandwidth of 48Gbps, and video resolutions up to 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz. It also supports advanced video and gaming features such as HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, VRR, ALLM, QMS, QFT, and SBTM.

Unlike the BK-4929, the BK-4927 features a standard HDMI audio output along with an Optical and 3.5mm output as well. This allows you to connect older audio devices as well.

IMPORTANT — BK-4927 Can Extract Audio Directly from Media Sources

The BK-4927 can send audio directly from the selected HDMI media source to the connected non-eARC Soundbar or AVR.

This means your soundbar or AVR can receive audio from the connected HDMI sources even if your TV does not support ARC or eARC.

For example, if you connect a PS5, Xbox, Apple TV, or Blu-ray player to the BK-4929, the unit can send video to the TV and audio directly to the non-eARC soundbar or AVR through the HDMI Audio Only output.

This is useful for customers who have a non-eARC soundbar or AVR but an older TV that does not support eARC or ARC.

IMPORTANT — BK-4927 Does Not Support eARC Soundbars or AVRs

The BK-4927 is designed for use with standard AVRs, Amplifiers or Soundbars that have a normal HDMI input, not an ARC/eARC port. Even if your AVR or Amplifier doesn’t have any HDMI ports, you can use the Optical or the 3.5mm outputs for audio extraction.

In any case, the BK-4927 will not work with eARC Soundbar or AVRs such as Sonos ARC, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Bose Smart Soundbar 600 & 900, etc.

If you have an eARC Soundbar or AVR, use the BK-4929 instead.

IMPORTANT — BK-4927 Can Also Extract Audio from an ARC/eARC TV

If your TV supports ARC or eARC, the BK-4927 can also receive audio from the TV through the TV (eARC) port and send it to the connected non-eARC soundbar or AVR.

This allows audio from TV internal apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, or Hulu to play through the connected soundbar or AVR.

To use this setup, connect the BK-4927’s TV (eARC) port to the ARC/eARC HDMI port on your TV and enable ARC/eARC in the TV settings.

IMPORTANT — BK-4927 Does Not Convert ARC TV to eARC

The BK-4927 does not upgrade or convert an ARC-only TV into eARC.

If your TV only supports ARC, the audio returned from the TV will still be limited by ARC bandwidth and ARC-supported formats.

For Dolby Atmos or other high-bandwidth audio formats through the soundbar or AVR, it is recommended to connect external media sources directly to the BK-4927 and allow the BK-4927 to send audio directly from the source to the soundbar or AVR.

For example, connect your Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Blu-ray player, PS5, or Xbox directly to the BK-4927 instead of relying on the TV’s ARC audio return.

Ports and Panel Layout

Port / LED	Location	Function
IR WIndow	Front panel	IR input signal receiving window
Power LED (Green)	Front panel	Green LED indicates that the device is powered on, RED indicates that the device is on standby
IN LED (1-4) (Green)	Front panel	The LED will light up when the corresponding input port is selected
OUT LED (1-2) (Green)	Front panel	The LED will light up when the corresponding output port is connected
Auto LED (Green)	Front panel	When the auto switching function is enabled, the green LED will light up.
eARC LED	Front panel	eARC status indicator. ▪ On: eARC function is working normally. ▪ Blinking: eARC function is working abnormally. ▪ Off: eARC function is disabled.
SWITCH Button	Front panel	▪ Press this button to circularly switch between the 4 HDMI inputs ▪ Long press for 3 seconds to enable or disable the auto switching.
eARC Button	Front panel	Press the button to enable or disable the ARC/eARC function.
AUDIO Button and LED	Front panel	Press the button to circularly switch between the output audio format EDID.
Service	Front panel	Firmware update and debug port.
IN (1-4)	Rear panel	HDMI input ports, connected to HDMI source devices such as DVD, PS4 or Set-top Box with HDMI cable.
OUT 1 (eARC)	Rear panel	HDMI output port, connected to a HDMI display device such as a TV, Projector or Monitor. You can also connect an ARC/eARC TV to this port.
OUT 2 (Audio)	Rear panel	HDMI audio output port, connected to an audio device such as soundbar or amplifier through a standard HDMI input (Not ARC/eARC).
Optical	Rear panel	Optical fiber audio output port, connected to an audio playback device such as amplifier, AVR or Soundbar
L/R (3.5mm)	Rear panel	Analog audio output port, connected to an audio playback device such as a speaker, headphones, etc.
DC 5V	Rear panel	Connect the included power adapter.

Step-by-Step Setup

Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI OUT port on the BK-4927 to your TV, monitor, or projector.
Plug devices such as gaming consoles, streaming boxes, PCs, or Blu-ray players into the HDMI input ports on the switch. The BK-4927 can manage multiple devices through a single display connection.
Connect the Audio Only (OUT 2) port on the BK-4927 to a standard HDMI input port on the AVR, Amp or Soundbar.
Connect the included power adapter to the BK-4927 and plug it into a power outlet. The device LEDs should illuminate once power is active.
Use the remote control or the front panel controls to choose the HDMI input you want to display. The active source will immediately appear on the connected screen.
Set your connected devices to the desired resolution and refresh rate, such as 4K 120Hz or 8K 60Hz if supported. This helps ensure the switch operates with the best available video performance while the audio is routed to the connected Soundbar, AVR or Amplifier.

HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical

For 8K@60Hz, 8K@30Hz, or 4K@120Hz, use Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1 cables.

We recommend HDMI 2.1 cables under 15 ft for the best 8K performance. For 4K60, shorter Premium High Speed HDMI cables are recommended for stable performance.

Understanding the eARC Button and eARC LED

The eARC button enables or disables the ARC/eARC function.

The eARC LED shows the current ARC/eARC status:

eARC LED Status	Meaning
On	ARC/eARC is enabled and communication is working properly
Flashing	ARC/eARC is enabled but communication is not working properly
Off	ARC/eARC is disabled

If the eARC LED is flashing, check that the HDMI cable is connected to the correct ARC/eARC HDMI port on the TV and ARC/eARC is enabled in the TV settings.

Understanding Auto and Manual Switching

The BK-4927 supports both manual and automatic HDMI input switching.

In manual mode, you can select HDMI IN 1, IN 2, IN 3, or IN 4 using the front-panel Switch button or the included IR remote.

In auto switching mode, the unit can automatically switch to an active input when a source device is connected or powered on.

Press and hold the Switch button for about 3 seconds to enable or disable auto switching.

What Sound Bars or AVRs is the BK-4927 Compatible with?

The OREI BK-4927 is compatible with most modern soundbars and AV receivers that support HDMI, optical (Toslink), or 3.5mm audio connections. It works especially well with non-ARC and non-eARC AVRs by using its dedicated HDMI audio-only output. Compatible systems include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capable receivers and soundbars from brands such as Yamaha, Denon, Sony, Onkyo, Samsung, and LG that don’t have an ARC/eARC port but do have a standard HDMI input. The switch also supports LPCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X formats for high-quality surround sound performance.

What source devices is the BK-4927 Compatible with?

The OREI BK-4927 is compatible with a wide range of HDMI source devices, including gaming consoles, streaming players, Blu-ray players, desktop PCs, laptops, and media servers. Supported devices include systems such as the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and 4K Blu-ray players, as well as HDMI-enabled computers and graphics cards. Because the switch supports HDMI 2.1 features, it can handle high-bandwidth video formats including 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz when connected to compatible devices and displays. The BK-4927 also supports HDCP 2.3, allowing it to work with protected streaming and media content from most modern entertainment platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI BK-4927 used for?

A: The BK-4927 is used as a 4x1 HDMI switch and audio extractor. It lets you connect up to four HDMI sources to one TV while sending audio to a non-eARC soundbar, AVR or Amplifier through standard HDMI audio only output.

Q: Is the BK-4927 suitable for dual-console gaming setups?

A: Yes. The switch is commonly used in setups with multiple gaming consoles because it allows switching between devices without reconnecting HDMI cables. Its HDMI 2.1 support also makes it suitable for next-generation consoles that require high refresh rates and low latency.

Q: Can I use the BK-4927 with older AV receivers?

A: Yes. The BK-4927 is designed to work with older AVRs or AMPs that do not have an ARC/eARC port but do have standard HDMI inputs. It also features Optical and 3.5mm outputs for even older audio devices.

Q: Can the BK-4927 be integrated into professional AV or home theater systems?

A: Yes. The device is suitable for advanced home theater installations, gaming rooms, conference spaces, and professional AV environments that require multiple HDMI sources and dedicated audio routing. Its support for modern resolutions and surround sound formats makes it flexible for both consumer and commercial use.

Q: Can the BK-4927 extract audio without lowering video quality?

A: Yes. The switch can send video directly to the display while simultaneously extracting audio through HDMI audio out, optical, or 3.5mm connections. This allows users to maintain high-resolution video performance while routing audio to an AVR, soundbar, amplifier, or external speakers.

Q: Can the BK-4927 send audio to my AVR or Amplifier even if my TV does not support ARC or eARC?

A: Yes. The BK-4927 can extract audio directly from the connected HDMI media sources and send it to the AVR or Amplifier, even if the TV does not support ARC/eARC.

Q: Can the BK-4927 get audio from my TV’s built-in apps?

A: Yes, if your TV supports ARC/eARC and the BK-4927 is connected to the TV’s ARC/eARC HDMI port. This allows TV app audio from apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, or Prime Video to play through the connected AVR or Amplifier.

Q: Does the BK-4927 convert ARC to eARC?

A: No. The BK-4927 does not upgrade an ARC-only TV to eARC. If your TV only supports ARC, the TV audio return will still be limited to ARC-supported audio formats.

Q: How do I get Dolby Atmos if my TV only supports ARC?

A: Use an external media source connected directly to the BK-4927, such as Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Blu-ray player, PS5, or Xbox. The BK-4927 can send audio directly from the media source to the AVR or Amplifier instead of relying on the TV’s ARC audio return.

Q: Can I use the TV remote to control the soundbar volume?

A: Yes, if the TV and Soundbar both support CEC and it is enabled in the settings.

Q: Why is the eARC LED flashing?

A: A flashing eARC LED means ARC/eARC is enabled, but communication is not working properly. Check the TV’s ARC/eARC settings and make sure the TV is connected to the correct ARC/eARC HDMI port.

Q: What is the difference between the BK-4929 and BK-4927?

A: The BK-4927 is designed for use with AVRs or Amplifiers that do not have an ARC/eARC port but have a standard HDMI input. The BK-4929, however, is designed for use with ARC/eARC soundbars & AVRs, such as Sonos ARC, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Bose Smart Soundbar 600 & 900.