HDA-913 Overview and Use Cases – OREI

What Is the HDA-913 ?

The OREI HDA-913 is a 4K HDMI audio extractor and decoder designed to separate audio from an HDMI signal while still sending video to a display. In simple terms, it lets you take sound from devices like streaming boxes or game consoles and route it to external speakers or sound systems without interrupting the video.

It works by taking one HDMI input and providing multiple outputs: an HDMI output for the TV, plus optical (digital) and analog audio outputs. This makes it useful for connecting modern HDMI devices to older audio equipment that doesn’t support HDMI, such as legacy amplifiers or stereo systems.

The HDA-913 also supports high-quality formats, including 4K video at 60Hz and surround sound like Dolby Digital and DTS, while offering features like audio downmixing to stereo. Overall, it acts as a bridge between newer video technology and older or specialized audio setups.

Ports and Panel Layout

Port / LED	Location	Function
TV / Bitstream / 2CH	Front panel	Used to select Audio format
DC 5V	Front panel	DC 5V/1A power input port
POWER LED (Red)	Front panel	It indicates the power status of the device
STATUS LED (Red/Green)	Front panel	Red illuminating: PCM decoding or No signal. Red blinking: Dolby decoding. Green blinking: DTS decoding.
HDMI IN	Front panel	Connects to an HDMI source device
HDMI Out	Rear panel	Connects to an HDMI display device
Optical Out	Rear panel	Digital audio output port
L/R Out	Rear panel	Stereo RCA analog audio output port

Step-by-Step Setup

Plug in your source device such as a streaming box, Blu-ray player, or game console into the HDMI input port on the OREI HDA-913. Use a high-speed HDMI cable to ensure full 4K and HDR compatibility.
Next, run another HDMI cable from the HDMI output on the HDA-913 to your TV or monitor. This connection will carry both video and audio to the display while allowing the device to extract audio separately.
Choose how you want to output audio by connecting either an optical (S/PDIF) cable or RCA stereo cables from the HDA-913 to your sound system. This step lets you route audio to external speakers, soundbars, or amplifiers.
Plug the included power adapter into the HDA-913 and connect it to an electrical outlet. Once powered, the device should automatically detect the input signal and begin functioning without additional setup.
Go into your source device’s audio settings and select a compatible output format, such as PCM, Dolby Digital, or DTS. This ensures the audio extractor can properly process and send sound to your connected audio system.
Turn on all connected devices and verify that video appears on your display and audio is playing through your chosen output. If needed, adjust volume levels or audio format settings to get the best performance from your setup.

Downmixing with the OREI HDA-913

The OREI HDA-913 Audio Extractor and Decoder features built-in downmixing, which converts multi-channel surround sound formats like Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 into two-channel stereo (PCM) audio. This allows users to output full surround sound through the optical port to a compatible soundbar while simultaneously sending a downmixed stereo signal through the RCA outputs for headphones or external speakers. As a result, one listener can enjoy immersive surround sound while another listens in clear stereo—ideal for households where someone may use headphones or hearing aids. It is important to note that the HDA-913 does not support downmixing or decoding of advanced formats such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, or DTS:X.

What Display and Audio Devices is the HDA-913 Compatible with?

The OREI HDA-913 is compatible with a wide range of display devices that use HDMI input, including modern 4K TVs, computer monitors, and projectors. With support for HDMI 2.0b, HDCP 2.2, and resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz with HDR, it works seamlessly with both newer Ultra HD displays and older 1080p screens, as long as they accept a standard HDMI signal. For audio, it pairs with soundbars and AV receivers that offer optical (TOSLINK) or analog (RCA) inputs, allowing it to route sound to external systems while video continues to the display. However, because the HDA-913 does not support HDMI ARC or eARC, it is not compatible with audio setups that rely solely on HDMI return audio without optical or analog input options.

What source devices is the HDA-913 Compatible with?

The OREI HDA-913 is compatible with virtually any source device that outputs video over HDMI, including streaming players, Blu-ray and DVD players, gaming consoles, cable or satellite boxes, and even laptops or desktop computers with HDMI output. Because it supports HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 2.2, it works with modern 4K HDR sources such as Fire TV Stick, Roku Stick, Apple TV, PS5, and Xbox, while remaining backward compatible with older 1080p devices. This flexibility allows it to act as a bridge between a wide variety of HDMI sources and external audio systems, ensuring both high-quality video pass-through and reliable audio extraction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the OREI HDA-913 support ARC or eARC?

A: No, the HDA-913 does not support ARC or eARC. It cannot send audio back from a TV over HDMI, nor can it send audio from the media source to an ARC/eARC soundbar.

Q: What audio formats does it support?

A: The HDA-913 supports a range of formats including PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, and other common surround formats. It can also downmix multi-channel audio into stereo for use with simpler audio systems.

Q: Can it output audio to multiple devices at the same time?

A: Yes, it can send audio simultaneously through HDMI, optical (S/PDIF), and analog RCA outputs. This allows you to use multiple audio systems at once if needed.

Q: Will it reduce video quality?

A: No, the device is designed to pass video through without loss. It supports up to 4K resolution at 60Hz with HDR, so your display will receive the same quality signal as it would when connected directly to your media source.

Q: Is it compatible with older audio equipment?

A: Yes, that’s one of its main purposes. The HDA-913 works well with older receivers, amplifiers, and sound systems that don’t have HDMI inputs but do have optical or analog connections.

Q: Does it require any software or setup?

A: No, it’s a plug-and-play device. Once everything is connected and powered on, it should work automatically with minimal configuration.

Q: Can I use the HDA-913 to send Dolby Atmos to my soundbar while also getting stereo audio on my hearing aids or headphones?

A: No, the OREI HDA-913 Audio Extractor and Decoder does not support Dolby Atmos or similar advanced formats. For that use case, an Audio Extractor & Dowmixer like the HDA-939 is recommended. However, the HDA-913 can still be used if you’re okay with Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1: it will send surround sound to the soundbar via optical while downmixing stereo audio for hearing aids or headphones through RCA.