BK-301 Overview and Use Cases

What Is the BK-301?

The OREI BK-301 is a compact 3 input, 1 output HDMI switch that allows you to connect up to three HDMI media sources to one TV, monitor, or projector.

It is useful when your display has limited HDMI ports and you want to connect multiple devices such as a gaming console, streaming box, PC, laptop, Blu-ray player, or cable box without constantly unplugging and reconnecting HDMI cables.

The BK-301 supports HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3, with a video bandwidth of 48Gbps. It supports video resolutions up to 8K@60Hz, 4K@165Hz, 4K@144Hz, 4K@120Hz, 4K@60Hz, and 1080p@240Hz. It also supports HDR and CEC for compatible devices. 

The BK-301 is plug-and-play and does not require an external power adapter. It receives power from the connected HDMI source device.

IMPORTANT - BK-301 Does Not Require External Power

The BK-301 does not come with or require an external power supply.

It gets power through the HDMI connection from the connected media source device. Once a source device is connected and turned on, the BK-301 should power on automatically and the input LED should light up.

If all connected source devices are turned off, the BK-301 will also turn off. When a media source is turned back on, the BK-301 will turn on again and switch to INPUT 1 by default. 

IMPORTANT — BK-301 Is a Switch, Not a Splitter

The BK-301 is a 3-input, 1-output HDMI switch.

This means it allows three HDMI source devices to share one display. It does not duplicate one HDMI source to multiple displays.

Use this product when you want to connect multiple source devices to one TV, monitor, or projector.

IMPORTANT — 8K and High Refresh Rate Performance Requires HDMI 2.1 Equipment

To use resolutions such as 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz, 4K@144Hz, 4K@165Hz, or 1080p@240Hz, every part of the setup must support the required resolution and bandwidth.

This includes:

• The HDMI source device 
• The TV, monitor, or projector 
• The HDMI cables 
• The video settings on the source device 

For best performance, use certified Ultra High-Speed Certified HDMI 2.1 cables under 15 feet.

Ports and Panel Layout

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect your HDMI source devices to the HDMI INPUT ports on the BK-301. 
   Examples include a gaming console, streaming box, PC, laptop, Blu-ray player, or cable box.
2. Connect the HDMI OUTPUT port on the BK-301 to the HDMI input on your TV, monitor, or projector.
3. Turn on your HDMI source devices and display.
4. Once the HDMI connection is active, the BK-301 should receive power from the connected source device.
5. The LED for the selected input should light up.
6. Use the SELECT button on the top of the BK-301 or the included remote control to choose the HDMI source you want to display.

HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical

For 8K@60Hz, 4K@165Hz, 4K@144Hz, 4K@120Hz, or 1080p@240Hz, use Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1 cables under 15 feet.

Understanding Manual and Remote Switching

The BK-301 supports both front-panel switching and remote control switching.

Manual Switching

Press the SELECT button on the top of the BK-301 to switch between connected HDMI sources.

The SELECT button switches in a cycle:

INPUT 1 → INPUT 2 → INPUT 3 → INPUT 1

This means you cannot jump directly from INPUT 1 to INPUT 3 using the SELECT button. You must cycle through the inputs.

The corresponding LED on the front panel will light up to show which input is currently selected.

Remote Control Switching

The included remote control allows direct input selection.

Press 1, 2, or 3 on the remote to switch directly to that HDMI input without cycling through the other inputs.

What Source Devices Is the BK-301 Compatible With?

The OREI BK-301 is compatible with HDMI source devices such as:

• PlayStation 5 
• Xbox Series X/S 
• Nintendo Switch 
• Gaming PCs 
• Laptops with HDMI output 
• Blu-ray players 
• Apple TV 
• Roku 
• Fire TV 
• NVIDIA Shield 
• Cable boxes 
• Satellite receivers 
• Other HDMI media players 

For 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz, 4K@144Hz, 4K@165Hz, or 1080p@240Hz, the source device must support that resolution and refresh rate.

What Displays Is the BK-301 Compatible With?

The BK-301 can be connected to HDMI displays such as:

• TVs 
• Monitors 
• Projectors 
• Gaming monitors 
• Commercial displays 

For high-resolution or high-refresh-rate output, the connected display must support the selected video format. For example, 8K@60Hz requires an 8K display that supports 60Hz input, and 4K@120Hz requires a TV or monitor that supports 4K at 120Hz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI BK-301 used for? 
A: The BK-301 is used to connect up to three HDMI source devices to one TV, monitor, or projector. It lets you switch between the connected devices without unplugging HDMI cables.

Q: Does the BK-301 need a power adapter? 
A: No. The BK-301 does not need an external power adapter. It receives power from the connected HDMI source device.

Q: Why does the BK-301 turn off when my device is off? 
A: This is normal. The BK-301 gets power from the connected media source. If the source device is turned off, the switch may also turn off.

Q: When I turn my device back on, why does the BK-301 go back to Input 1? 
A: When the BK-301 powers back on, it switches to INPUT 1 by default.

Q: Can I switch directly to a specific input? 
A: Yes. Use the included remote control and press 1, 2, or 3 to switch directly to that input.

Q: Can I switch inputs from the device itself? 
A: Yes. Press the SELECT button on the top of the BK-301. The button cycles through Input 1, Input 2, and Input 3 in order.

Q: Does the BK-301 support audio? 
A: Yes. The BK-301 passes audio to the display through HDMI. The supported audio formats include PCM 2CH, 5.1CH, 7.1CH, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby 5.1, Dolby 7.1, and Dolby TrueHD.