HDA-935 Overview and Use Cases – OREI

What Is the HDA-935?

The OREI HDA-935 is a compact HDMI eARC audio extractor designed to separate audio signals from multiple HDMI sources while still passing the video through to a display. It’s commonly used in setups where a TV or monitor doesn’t provide the desired audio output options, allowing users to connect external speakers, soundbars, or AV receivers without losing video quality.

Functionally, the HDA-935 supports high-definition video resolutions (up to 4K@60Hz) and provides multiple audio output ports such as HDMI eARC, analog stereo (3.5mm) and digital audio (Optical). This flexibility makes it useful for integrating modern HDMI devices like streaming boxes, gaming consoles, or Blu-ray players into older or specialized audio systems.

Overall, the OREI HDA-935 is a practical tool for home theater enthusiasts and professionals who need to bridge compatibility gaps between audio and video equipment. Its plug-and-play design and broad format support make it an accessible solution for improving sound output without complicating an existing setup.

Ports and Panel Layout

Port / LED	Location	Function
IN-1	Front panel	Used to connect a media source device such as a streaming device, DVD player, etc.
Input signal indicator LED	Front panel	LED indicates which input is currently selected
Audio signal indicator LED	Front panel	Lights up when one of the three audio formats is selected
eARC LED	Front panel	This LED indicator will turn on when the source of the eARC signal is the TV and it will stay off when the audio signal is from an external source.
Audio Select	Rear panel	Press to change the sound configuration to a different mode
DC 5V	Rear panel	Connect the included power adapter
AUDIO	Rear panel	Connect your (3.5mm) aux cable to this port for stereo output
OPTICAL	Rear panel	Connect a S/PDIF cable into this port for digital audio output.
Soundbar eARC	Rear panel	Connect your ARC/eARC soundbar to this port.
TV HDMI/eARC	Rear panel	Connect a display device such as a TV, Monitor, etc. You can connect a non-eARC TV as well.
IN-2	Rear panel	Used to connect a media source device such as a streaming device, DVD player, etc.
IN-3	Rear panel	Used to connect a media source device such as a streaming device, DVD player, etc.
Select	Top panel	This button can be used to switch between the 3 inputs.

Step-by-Step Setup

Start by plugging your HDMI source devices such as a streaming box, game console, or Blu-ray player into the HDMI input ports on the OREI HDA-935. Make sure the connection is secure so both audio and video signals transmit properly.
Use another HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output of the HDA-935 to your TV or monitor. This allows the audio and video signal to pass through the extractor and display on your screen without interruption.
Choose your preferred audio output option and connect it to your sound system. You can use the analog 3.5mm output for basic stereo sound or the digital optical output for higher-quality audio through a receiver or soundbar or the Soundbar eARC port to connect to an eARC Soundbar such as Sonos ARC for multi-channel Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio.
Connect the included power adapter to the HDA-935 and plug it into a wall outlet. Once powered on, the device should automatically begin processing the HDMI signal.
Press the Audio Select button on the back to select the proper audio channel based on what your audio device supports. When using Optical, select 5.1CH, when using the 3.5mm output select 2CH and for eARC soundbar use 7.1CH.
Turn on all connected devices and play some content from your HDMI source. Confirm that video appears on your display and audio is coming through your chosen output correctly.

Note: You can also connect your TV’s ARC/eARC port to extract audio from the TV’s internal apps. The eARC LED on the HDA-935 would light up when connected to an ARC/eARC TV.

What Sound Bars or AVRs is the HDA-935 Compatible with?

The OREI HDA-935 is compatible with a wide range of soundbars and AV receivers as long as they support HDMI ARC/eARC,optical, or 3.5mm audio input, rather than being limited to specific brands. For example, it works well with soundbars like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Sonos ARC, Bose Smart Soundbar 600, and Samsung HW-Q990C, as well as AV receivers such as the Denon AVR-S760H and Yamaha RX-V6A. As long as the device you’re connecting has an HDMI ARC/eARC port (for best quality) or an optical/3.5mm input, the HDA-935 can extract and route audio to it, making it flexible across both newer and slightly older home theater setups.

What source devices is the HDA-935 Compatible with?

The OREI HDA-935 is compatible with virtually any HDMI source device, since it simply takes a standard HDMI signal and extracts the audio, making it highly flexible across different setups. For example, it works seamlessly with streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Roku Streaming Stick 4K, gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S, and media players like the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Player. As long as the device outputs audio and video over HDMI, the HDA-935 can sit in between the source and your display while routing audio to a separate sound system without compatibility issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the HDA-935 downscale or affect video quality when extracting audio?

A: No, video passes through the device without being altered, so resolution and HDR formats remain intact as long as your source and display support them. The extractor simply splits the audio signal without compressing or degrading the video feed.

Q: Can it deliver full Dolby Atmos or DTS:X to my sound system?

A: Yes, but only when using the HDMI eARC/ARC output and a compatible soundbar or AVR. For example, systems like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Sonos ARC or Denon AVR-S760H can receive advanced formats, while the optical output is limited to compressed surround formats like Dolby Digital.

Q: Does it work with TVs that don’t have eARC?

A: Yes, that’s one of its main use cases. The HDA-935 can extract audio directly from your HDMI source and send it to your audio system, effectively bypassing the TV’s limitations and enabling higher-quality audio even on older displays. However, if your TV has standard ARC only, the HDA-935 cannot turn it into eARC or make it support Dolby Atmos.

Q: Will there be audio delay or lip-sync issues?

A: In most setups, audio remains synchronized because the device is designed for low-latency passthrough. However, if your sound system introduces processing delay, you may need to adjust lip-sync settings on your TV or receiver.

Q: Can I connect multiple HDMI sources at once?

A: Yes, the HDA-935 is designed with 3 HDMI inputs.

Q: Does the TV still output audio when using the HDA-935?

A: Yes, the TV will continue to receive an audio video signal like usual and output audio through its built-in speakers, except when ARC/eARC is enabled on the TV. TV speakers are muted when ARC/eARC is enabled.

Q: Can I use the eARC, Optical and 3.5mm outputs at the same time?

A: You may connect all three outputs at the same time, but the audio format must be compatible with all of them. For all three to work at the same time, set the source or TV audio to PCM or Stereo, since the 3.5mm port supports stereo only. The HDA-935 cannot send Dolby Atmos to an eARC soundbar while simultaneously sending stereo to the 3.5mm or Optical port.