What Is the UHD-401ARC?
The OREI UHD-401ARC is a 4-input, 1-output HDMI switch with ARC support. It allows you to connect up to four HDMI media sources to one TV, monitor, or projector and switch between them using the button on the device or the included remote control.
The UHD-401ARC is useful when your TV has limited HDMI ports and you want to connect multiple devices such as a Blu-ray player, DVD player, gaming console, notebook, streaming device, cable box, or set-top box to one display.
The UHD-401ARC supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, with a video bandwidth of 18Gbps. It supports video resolutions up to 4K@60Hz and supports HDMI audio formats like PCM 2CH, 5.1CH, 7.1CH, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby 5.1, Dolby 7.1, and Dolby TrueHD.
The device also supports ARC between INPUT 4 and the HDMI OUTPUT port. This allows an ARC soundbar to be connected to INPUT 4 and receive audio from an ARC-compatible TV connected to the OUTPUT port.
IMPORTANT — ARC Works Between INPUT 4 and OUTPUT
The UHD-401ARC supports ARC between INPUT 4 and the HDMI OUTPUT port.
If you have an ARC-compatible TV and ARC soundbar, connect the TV’s ARC HDMI port to the UHD-401ARC OUTPUT port and connect the ARC soundbar to INPUT 4.
This allows audio from the TV to return through the UHD-401ARC and play through the connected ARC soundbar.
This is useful for TV internal apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, or Hulu when the TV supports ARC.
The UHD-401ARC cannot extract audio directly from the media source and send it to an ARC soundbar if the TV does not support ARC/eARC.
IMPORTANT — INPUT 4 Can Be Used for a Source Device or ARC Soundbar
INPUT 4 has two possible uses.
In a normal switching setup, INPUT 4 can be used like a regular HDMI input for a media source device.
When using ARC audio, INPUT 4 is used to connect an ARC soundbar.
IMPORTANT — UHD-401ARC Supports ARC, not eARC
The UHD-401ARC is designed around ARC functionality between the TV and INPUT 4 soundbar connection.
While you CAN connect an eARC Soundbar and eARC TV as well, they will be limited to ARC supported formats like Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1.
HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical
To use 4K@60Hz, every part of the setup must support the required HDMI 2.0 bandwidth.
This includes:
- The HDMI source device
- The TV, monitor, or projector
- The HDMI cables
For 4K@60Hz, use Premium High-Speed HDMI 2.0 cables under 30 feet.
Ports and Panel Layout
| Port / LED / Button | Location | Function |
| INPUT 1 | Front panel | Connect a media source device such as a DVD player, set-top box, laptop, or game console |
| Input LEDs 1–4 | Front panel | The LED lights up green when the respective input is selected. |
| Power LED | Front panel | Lights up green when the device is powered on |
| DC 5V Micro-USB | Rear panel | Connect the included DC 5V/0.6A power adapter |
| HDMI OUTPUT | Rear panel | Connect to a TV, monitor, or projector |
| INPUT 4 / ARC | Rear panel | Connect a media source device such as a DVD player, set-top box, laptop, or game console or connect an ARC soundbar for audio |
| INPUT 3 | Rear panel | Connect a media source device such as a DVD player, set-top box, laptop, or game console |
| INPUT 2 | Rear panel | Connect a media source device such as a DVD player, set-top box, laptop, or game console |
| SELECT Button | Top panel | Press to switch between the inputs in chronological order |
Step-by-Step Setup
- Connect the included DC 5V/0.6A power adapter to the UHD-401ARC and plug it into a power outlet.
- Connect your HDMI source devices to INPUT 1, INPUT 2, INPUT 3, and INPUT 4.
Examples include a Blu-ray player, DVD player, gaming console, laptop, streaming box, cable box, or set-top box. - Connect the HDMI OUTPUT port on the UHD-401ARC to your TV, monitor, or projector.
- Turn on the connected source devices and display.
- Use the SELECT button on the top of the UHD-401ARC or the included remote control to choose the source you want to display.
- If you are using ARC, connect the TV’s ARC HDMI port to the OUTPUT port and connect the ARC soundbar to INPUT 4.
- Enable ARC in the TV settings so the TV audio can play through the soundbar.
Understanding Manual and Remote Switching
The UHD-401ARC supports switching from the device itself or from the included remote control.
Manual Switching
Press the SELECT button on the top of the UHD-401ARC to cycle through the connected HDMI inputs.
The switching order is:
INPUT 1 → INPUT 2 → INPUT 3 → INPUT 4
The corresponding input LED will indicate the selected source.
Remote Control Switching
The included remote control allows direct input selection.
Press 1, 2, 3, or 4 on the remote to switch directly to the corresponding HDMI input.
Understanding ARC Setup
ARC stands for Audio Return Channel.
In a normal HDMI setup, audio and video usually travel from a source device to the TV. ARC allows audio from the TV to travel back through HDMI to an audio device, such as a soundbar.
On the UHD-401ARC:
- The ARC TV connects to the HDMI OUTPUT port
- The ARC soundbar connects to INPUT 4
- ARC must be enabled in the TV settings
- The TV must support ARC for TV audio return to work
This setup is commonly used when customers want TV app audio to play through an ARC soundbar.
What Source Devices Is the UHD-401ARC Compatible With?
The OREI UHD-401ARC is compatible with HDMI source devices such as:
- Blu-ray players
- DVD players
- PlayStation consoles
- Xbox consoles
- Nintendo Switch
- Streaming devices
- Cable boxes
- Satellite receivers
- Media players
- Laptops with HDMI output
- PCs with HDMI output
- Set-top boxes
What Displays Is the UHD-401ARC Compatible With?
The UHD-401ARC can be connected to HDMI displays such as:
- TVs
- Monitors
- Projectors
For ARC audio return, the connected TV must have an ARC-compatible HDMI port.
What Soundbars Is the UHD-401ARC Compatible With?
The UHD-401ARC is compatible with soundbars or AVRs that support ARC/eARC.
The soundbar should be connected to INPUT 4 when using ARC mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the OREI UHD-401ARC used for?
A: The UHD-401ARC is used to connect up to four HDMI source devices to one TV, monitor, or projector. It also supports ARC between INPUT 4 and the HDMI OUTPUT port for connecting an ARC soundbar.
Q: How do I connect an ARC soundbar?
A: Connect the ARC soundbar to INPUT 4. Connect the TV’s ARC HDMI port to the UHD-401ARC OUTPUT port, then enable ARC in the TV settings. Both the TV and the Soundbar must support ARC for this to work.
Q: Can I get audio from my TV’s built-in apps?
A: Yes, if your TV supports ARC/eARC, the audio from TV apps can return from the TV through the OUTPUT port and play through the ARC/eARC soundbar connected to INPUT 4.
Q: Can INPUT 4 be used for a regular HDMI source?
A: Yes. INPUT 4 can be used as a normal HDMI input when it is not being used for an ARC soundbar.
Q: Can I connect both a source device and ARC soundbar to INPUT 4?
A: No. INPUT 4 can only be used for one connection at a time. Use it either for a media source device or for an ARC soundbar.
Q: Does the UHD-401ARC support eARC?
A: The UHD-401ARC supports ARC only, but that does not mean you cannot connect an eARC TV or Soundbar. eARC and ARC are backwards compatible, however since the UHD-401ARC only supports ARC, the audio formats will be limited to Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1 or Stereo.
Q: Does the UHD-401ARC support Dolby Atmos?
A: No, the UHD-401ARC does not support Dolby Atmos. It only supports ARC audio formats such as Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1.
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