What Is the DA41?
The OREI DA41 is an eARC/ARC to Digital Audio Converter designed to extract audio from a TV’s ARC or eARC HDMI port and output it through Optical/Toslink or Coaxial digital audio.
The DA41 is commonly used when your modern TV has an ARC/eARC HDMI port, but your audio device, such as a soundbar, AV receiver, amplifier, or digital audio system, only supports Optical or Coaxial input.
The DA41 supports PCM 2.0, Dolby 5.1, and DTS 5.1 audio formats through Optical and Coaxial output.
IMPORTANT — DA41 Converts ARC/eARC TV Audio to Optical or Coaxial
The OREI DA41 is designed to take audio from a TV’s ARC/eARC HDMI port and convert it to digital Optical or Coaxial audio.
This means it can be used when your TV outputs audio through HDMI ARC/eARC, but your soundbar, AVR, amplifier, or audio system only has Optical or Coaxial input.
For example, the DA41 can be used for:
- ARC/eARC TV to Optical soundbar
- ARC/eARC TV to Coaxial amplifier
- ARC/eARC TV to older AVR
- TV internal apps to Optical or Coaxial audio system
- Smart TV audio to digital audio receiver
This makes it useful for connecting newer TVs to older digital audio equipment.
IMPORTANT — DA41 Does NOT Decode or Downmix Audio
The DA41 does not decode or downmix audio.
It supports ARC/eARC audio output formats such as:
- PCM 2.0
- Dolby 5.1
- DTS 5.1
The audio format must be set from the TV settings based on what your connected audio device supports.
If your audio device supports stereo only, set the TV audio output to PCM or Stereo.
If your audio device supports surround sound through Optical or Coaxial, set the TV audio output to Bitstream, Dolby Digital, or DTS 5.1, depending on what the audio device supports.
The DA41 does not support decoding or passthrough of higher formats such as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, or DTS:X.
IMPORTANT — TV Remote Will Not Control the Connected Audio Device Volume
The DA41 does not allow the TV remote to control the volume of the audio device connected through Optical or Coaxial.
This is because CEC volume control only works through HDMI, not through Optical or Coaxial audio outputs.
If you connect a soundbar, AVR, amplifier, or speaker system to the DA41 using Optical or Coaxial, volume must be controlled from the connected audio device itself or from that device’s remote.
IMPORTANT — TV Speakers Usually Turn Off When ARC/eARC Is Enabled
Many customers ask if the TV speakers will continue playing audio while using the DA41.
In most cases, the answer is no.
This is not a limitation of the DA41. This is how most TVs work. When ARC/eARC is enabled and the TV audio output is set to an external audio system, the TV speakers usually stop outputting sound.
If you want audio from the DA41, the TV must send audio through ARC/eARC, which normally means the TV speakers are disabled.
Ports and Panel Layout
| Port / LED | Location | Function |
| Power LED | Right panel |
Red LED turns on when the device is powered. Solid light means audio signal is working fine. Flashing light means audio signal is not working properly |
| Coaxial | Right panel |
Connect to an audio device such as a soundbar, AVR, amplifier, or digital audio receiver |
| Toslink | Right panel |
Optical audio output for connecting to a soundbar, AVR, amplifier, or digital audio receiver |
| ARC/eARC IN | Left panel | Connect to the ARC/eARC HDMI port on the TV |
| DC 5V | Left panel | Connect the included power adapter |
Step-by-Step Setup
- Connect an HDMI cable from your TV’s ARC/eARC HDMI port to the ARC/eARC IN port on the DA41.
- Connect the DA41 to your audio device using either:
- Optical/Toslink output
- Coaxial output
- Connect the included USB power cable and power adapter to the DA41.
- Turn on the TV and the connected audio device.
- Go into your TV’s audio settings and enable ARC/eARC.
- Set the TV sound output to HDMI ARC, eARC, external speaker, receiver, or audio system depending on your TV menu.
- Set the TV’s digital audio format based on your connected audio device:
- PCM or Stereo for 2-channel audio devices
- Dolby Digital / DTS / Bitstream for compatible 5.1 audio devices
- Check the Power LED:
- Solid red means the audio signal is working properly.
- Flashing red means the audio signal is not working properly.
- Use the connected audio device or it’s remote to control volume.
Cable Requirement — Important
Use a reliable HDMI cable between the TV’s ARC/eARC HDMI port and the DA41’s ARC/eARC IN port.
Make sure the HDMI cable is connected to the correct HDMI port on the TV. Most TVs only have one HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. If the cable is connected to a normal HDMI input, the DA41 will not receive TV audio.
Use a good-quality Optical or Coaxial cable between the DA41 and the connected audio system.
What Audio Devices Is the DA41 Compatible With?
The OREI DA41 is compatible with audio devices that accept Optical/Toslink or Coaxial digital audio input.
It can be used with:
- Optical soundbars
- Coaxial amplifiers
- AV receivers
- Digital audio receivers
- Speaker systems with Optical input
- Speaker systems with Coaxial input
- Older audio systems without HDMI ARC/eARC
The connected audio device must support the audio format being sent by the TV. If the connected device only supports stereo, set the TV to PCM or Stereo. If it supports 5.1 audio, set the TV to Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, or Bitstream.
What TVs Is the DA41 Compatible With?
The OREI DA41 is compatible with TVs that support HDMI ARC or eARC audio output.
It can work with audio from:
- Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, and other Smart TV apps
- HDMI devices connected to the other input ports on the TV
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the OREI DA41 used for?
A: The DA41 is used to convert audio from a TV’s ARC/eARC HDMI port into Optical or Coaxial digital audio output.
Q: Does the DA41 support both ARC and eARC?
A: Yes. The DA41 supports audio from both ARC and eARC TV ports, but the output format is limited to PCM 2.0, Dolby 5.1, or DTS 5.1.
Q: Can the DA41 output Dolby Atmos or DTS:X?
A: No. The DA41 does not support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, or DTS-HD Master Audio passthrough or decoding.
Q: Does the DA41 decode or downmix audio?
A: No. The DA41 does not decode or downmix audio. The TV must be set to an audio format supported by the connected audio device, such as PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, or Bitstream.
Q: Can my TV remote control the volume of the soundbar or amplifier connected to the DA41?
A: No. The DA41 outputs audio through Optical or Coaxial, and CEC volume control does not work through Optical or Coaxial. Use the connected audio device’s remote or volume control instead.
Q: Will my TV speakers still play audio while using the DA41?
A: Usually no. When ARC/eARC is enabled, most TVs stop playing audio through the built-in TV speakers and send audio to the external audio system instead. This is a TV limitation, not a DA41 issue.
Q: Can I connect both Optical and Coaxial at the same time?
A: Yes, the DA41 provides audio through both Optical and Coaxial outputs. Make sure the connected audio devices support the audio format being sent by the TV.
Q: Can I use the DA41 with TV apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+?
A: Yes. If your TV supports ARC/eARC, the DA41 can convert that audio to Optical or Coaxial output. Make sure the TV audio format is set to a supported format.
Q: What should I set my TV audio format to?
A: Set it to PCM or Stereo for basic 2-channel audio devices. Set it to Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, or Bitstream only if your connected soundbar, AVR, or amplifier supports those formats.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.