What Is the EARC-EX165-K?
The OREI EARC-EX165-K is an HDMI eARC / ARC audio extender kit that sends HDMI ARC or eARC audio from a compatible TV to a remote soundbar, AVR, or audio system over CAT5e / CAT6 cable.
The kit includes one Transmitter, one Receiver, one 5V IR Blaster cable, one 5V IR Wideband Receiver cable, two power adapters, and a user manual. The TV’s HDMI ARC / eARC port connects to eARC IN on the Transmitter, the soundbar or AVR connects to eARC OUT on the Receiver, and a CAT cable connects the Transmitter to the Receiver.
The EARC-EX165-K supports HDMI ARC and eARC audio transmission up to 50m / 164ft over CAT5e / CAT6 cable. It supports eARC audio formats including LPCM 2.0 / 5.1 / 7.1CH, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, and Dolby Atmos. For ARC, it supports LPCM 2.0CH, Dolby 5.1CH, and DTS 5.1CH. It also supports CEC and bi-directional IR control, making it useful for extending TV audio to a remote soundbar or AVR in a media closet, rack, or equipment room.
The EARC-EX165-K is useful for home theaters, media closets, living rooms, projector rooms, AV racks, wall-mounted TV setups, conference rooms, and installations where the TV and soundbar / AVR are not located close together.
IMPORTANT — EARC-EX165-K Extends Audio Only
The EARC-EX165-K is an HDMI ARC / eARC audio extender.
It does not extend:
- HDMI video
- DisplayPort video
- USB data
- Ethernet internet
- Matrix switching
- HDMI source video to a display
It is designed to extend HDMI ARC / eARC audio from a TV to an ARC / eARC soundbar, AVR, or audio system.
IMPORTANT — Connect TV to Transmitter and Soundbar / AVR to Receiver
The correct connection path is:
| Device | Connection |
| TV ARC / eARC port | Transmitter eARC IN |
| Transmitter CAT OUT | CAT cable to Receiver CAT IN |
| Receiver eARC OUT | Soundbar / AVR ARC / eARC port |
The manual’s FAQ explains that the ARC / eARC port of the TV connects to eARC IN on the Transmitter, and the ARC / eARC port of the soundbar or AVR connects to eARC OUT on the Receiver.
IMPORTANT — Supports eARC and ARC
The EARC-EX165-K supports both eARC and ARC audio.
| Audio Mode | Support |
| eARC | Supported |
| ARC | Supported |
| CEC | Supported |
| Bi-directional IR | Supported |
For best performance, make sure ARC or eARC is enabled in the TV settings.
IMPORTANT — eARC Supports Higher Audio Formats Than ARC
The supported audio format depends on whether the system is using eARC or ARC.
| Mode | Supported Audio Formats |
| eARC | LPCM 2.0 / 5.1 / 7.1CH, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, Dolby Atmos |
| ARC | LPCM 2.0CH, Dolby 5.1CH, DTS 5.1CH |
Use eARC when you need higher-bandwidth formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, or Dolby Atmos.
IMPORTANT — Extends up to 50m / 164ft
The EARC-EX165-K extends ARC / eARC audio up to 50m / 164ft over CAT5e / CAT6 cable.
| Cable Type | Maximum Distance |
| CAT5e / CAT6 | Up to 50m / 164ft |
For best performance, use high-quality CAT6 cable with proper termination.
Poor CAT cable, damaged connectors, weak terminations, couplers, or long patching paths may cause no audio, unstable audio, or CEC / IR issues.
IMPORTANT — Use Direct CAT Cable Connection
Connect the Transmitter CAT OUT directly to the Receiver CAT IN using CAT5e / CAT6 cable.
Do not connect the CAT cable through:
- Network switch
- Router
- Internet network
- LAN switch
- Standard Ethernet network
This product uses CAT cable as a direct ARC / eARC audio extension path. It is not an Ethernet or AV-over-IP system.
IMPORTANT — HDMI 2.1 Cables Are Recommended
The troubleshooting section says to make sure HDMI 2.1 cables are used if audio is not working.
Use HDMI 2.1 cables for:
| Connection | Cable |
| TV ARC / eARC port to Transmitter eARC IN | HDMI 2.1 cable recommended |
| Receiver eARC OUT to soundbar / AVR ARC / eARC port | HDMI 2.1 cable recommended |
Also confirm that the TV, soundbar, and AVR support the selected ARC / eARC audio format.
IMPORTANT — CEC Must Be Enabled
ARC and eARC setups often require HDMI CEC to be enabled.
Check TV settings for names such as:
- HDMI CEC
- ARC
- eARC
- Simplink
- Anynet+
- Bravia Sync
- VIERA Link
- HDMI Control
The exact name depends on the TV brand.
If there is no audio, first confirm ARC / eARC and CEC are enabled on the TV and soundbar / AVR.
IMPORTANT — Bi-Directional IR Is Supported
The EARC-EX165-K supports bi-directional IR control.
This allows IR remote control signals to travel in both directions:
| IR Direction | Use Case |
| TV side to soundbar / AVR side | Control remote audio device from the TV location |
| Soundbar / AVR side to TV side | Control TV-side equipment from the audio rack location |
Typical IR setup:
- Connect the included IR Receiver cable to IR IN where the remote will be pointed.
- Connect the included IR Blaster cable to IR OUT near the device being controlled.
- Place the IR Blaster close to the controlled device’s IR sensor.
Do not swap the IR Receiver and IR Blaster cables because they have different pin definitions.
IMPORTANT — Both Units Need Power
The EARC-EX165-K includes two power adapters.
| Unit | Power Requirement |
| Transmitter | DC 5V/1A |
| Receiver | DC 5V/1A |
Power consumption is listed as:
| Unit | Maximum Power Consumption |
| Transmitter | 0.95W |
| Receiver | 1.6W |
Both units should be powered for normal operation.
Ports and Panel Layout
| Port / Indicator | Unit | Function |
| CAT OUT | Transmitter | Connect CAT6 / CAT7 cable to Receiver |
| IR IN | Transmitter | Connect included IR Receiver cable |
| IR OUT | Transmitter | Connect included IR Blaster cable |
| eARC IN | Transmitter | Connect TV HDMI ARC / eARC port |
| SERVICE | Transmitter | USB-C port for firmware upgrade and debugging |
| Power LED | Transmitter | Green LED lights when Transmitter is powered |
| DC 5V | Transmitter | Connect included power adapter |
| CAT IN | Receiver | Connect CAT6 / CAT7 cable from Transmitter |
| IR IN | Receiver | Connect included IR Receiver cable |
| IR OUT | Receiver | Connect included IR Blaster cable |
| eARC OUT | Receiver | Connect soundbar, AVR, or eARC audio device |
| SERVICE | Receiver | USB-C port for firmware upgrade and debugging |
| Power LED | Receiver | Green LED lights when Receiver is powered |
| DC 5V | Receiver | Connect included power adapter |
Step-by-Step Setup
- Connect the TV’s HDMI ARC / eARC port to eARC IN on the Transmitter.
- Connect CAT OUT on the Transmitter to CAT IN on the Receiver using CAT5e / CAT6 cable.
- Connect eARC OUT on the Receiver to the HDMI ARC / eARC port on the soundbar, AVR, or audio system.
- Connect the included DC 5V power adapter to the Transmitter.
- Connect the included DC 5V power adapter to the Receiver.
- Enable ARC / eARC in the TV audio settings.
- Enable HDMI CEC / HDMI Control on the TV and audio device if required.
- Set the TV audio output format to a compatible format.
- If using IR control, connect the IR Receiver and IR Blaster cables based on the direction of control needed.
- Power on the TV, soundbar / AVR, Transmitter, and Receiver.
- Check that the green Power LEDs are on.
- Test TV audio through the soundbar or AVR.
CAT Cable Requirement — Critical
Use high-quality CAT5e / CAT6 cable.
| Requirement | Specification |
| Cable type | CAT5e / CAT6 |
| Maximum distance | 50m / 164ft |
| Connection | Transmitter CAT OUT to Receiver CAT IN |
Poor CAT cable may cause:
- No audio
- Audio dropouts
- ARC / eARC handshake issues
- CEC control issues
- IR control issues
- Unstable connection
Use a direct cable run whenever possible.
HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical
Use HDMI 2.1 cables for the HDMI ARC / eARC connections.
| Connection | Recommended Cable |
| TV to Transmitter | HDMI 2.1 cable |
| Receiver to soundbar / AVR | HDMI 2.1 cable |
Poor or older HDMI cables may cause:
- No audio
- eARC not detected
- Dolby Atmos not passing
- Audio dropouts
- CEC not working
- ARC / eARC handshake issues
Power Requirement — Critical
Both units require DC 5V power.
| Unit | Power |
| Transmitter | DC 5V/1A |
| Receiver | DC 5V/1A |
The power adapters support AC 100–240V 50/60Hz input and DC 5V/1A output.
If the Power LED does not turn on, check the power adapter, outlet, and DC 5V connection.
Understanding the Transmitter
The Transmitter is installed near the TV.
It has:
- eARC IN
- CAT OUT
- IR IN
- IR OUT
- SERVICE USB-C port
- DC 5V input
- Power LED
The Transmitter receives ARC / eARC audio from the TV and sends it over CAT cable to the Receiver.
Understanding the Receiver
The Receiver is installed near the soundbar, AVR, or audio system.
It has:
- CAT IN
- eARC OUT
- IR IN
- IR OUT
- SERVICE USB-C port
- DC 5V input
- Power LED
The Receiver outputs the ARC / eARC audio to the connected soundbar or AVR.
Understanding ARC vs eARC
ARC and eARC both send TV audio back to an external sound system through HDMI.
| Feature | ARC | eARC |
| Stereo audio | Supported | Supported |
| Dolby Digital 5.1 | Supported | Supported |
| DTS 5.1 | Supported | Supported |
| Dolby TrueHD | Not supported through normal ARC | Supported |
| DTS-HD MA | Not supported through normal ARC | Supported |
| Dolby Atmos | Limited / compressed depending on device | Supported when source and devices support it |
For best audio quality, use eARC-compatible TV and eARC-compatible soundbar or AVR.
Understanding CEC
CEC allows the TV and audio device to communicate over HDMI.
CEC can help with:
- ARC / eARC handshake
- TV remote volume control
- Power control
- Audio device detection
CEC must often be enabled for ARC / eARC audio to work properly.
Understanding IR Control
IR lets remote control commands pass through the extender.
Use the IR Receiver where the remote will be pointed.
Use the IR Blaster near the device being controlled.
The IR pin definition page shows:
| Cable | Pin Functions |
| IR Receiver | IR signal, power, grounding |
| IR Blaster | IR signal, power, NC |
Supported Audio
The EARC-EX165-K supports:
| Mode | Supported Audio |
| eARC | LPCM 2.0 / 5.1 / 7.1CH |
| eARC | Dolby Digital |
| eARC | Dolby Digital Plus |
| eARC | DTS |
| eARC | Dolby TrueHD |
| eARC | DTS-HD MA |
| eARC | Dolby Atmos |
| ARC | LPCM 2.0CH |
| ARC | Dolby 5.1CH |
| ARC | DTS 5.1CH |
Supported Technical Specifications
| Specification | Support |
| Product Type | HDMI eARC / ARC audio extender over CAT cable |
| Maximum Distance | 50m / 164ft |
| CAT Cable | CAT5e / CAT6 |
| eARC Audio | LPCM 2.0 / 5.1 / 7.1CH, DD, DD+, DTS, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, Dolby Atmos |
| ARC Audio | LPCM 2.0CH, Dolby 5.1CH, DTS 5.1CH |
| CEC | Supported |
| IR | Bi-directional IR |
| Transmitter Input | eARC IN, IR IN |
| Transmitter Output | CAT OUT, IR OUT |
| Transmitter Control | SERVICE USB-C upgrade / debugging port |
| Receiver Input | CAT IN, IR IN |
| Receiver Output | eARC OUT, IR OUT |
| Receiver Control | SERVICE USB-C upgrade / debugging port |
| Power Supply | DC 5V/1A |
| Power Consumption | Transmitter 0.95W max; Receiver 1.6W max |
| ESD Protection | ±8kV air-gap, ±4kV contact |
| Housing | Metal enclosure |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 68mm x 74mm x 20mm |
| Weight | Transmitter / Receiver: 142g / 5.0oz |
| Operating Temperature | 32°F to 104°F / 0°C to 40°C |
| Storage Temperature | -4°F to 140°F / -20°C to 60°C |
| Operating Humidity | 20%–80% RH, non-condensing |
| Storage Humidity | 10%–90% RH, non-condensing |
What TVs Is the EARC-EX165-K Compatible With?
The EARC-EX165-K is compatible with TVs that have HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC output.
Compatible TV types include:
- TVs with HDMI ARC
- TVs with HDMI eARC
- Smart TVs
- OLED TVs
- QLED TVs
- LED TVs
- 4K TVs
- Projector systems with compatible ARC / eARC support
The TV must support ARC or eARC and must have ARC / eARC enabled in the settings.
What Audio Devices Is the EARC-EX165-K Compatible With?
The EARC-EX165-K can connect to audio devices such as:
- Soundbars with HDMI ARC
- Soundbars with HDMI eARC
- AV receivers with HDMI ARC
- AV receivers with HDMI eARC
- Home theater receivers
- Surround sound systems
- Media closet audio systems
The audio device must support ARC or eARC and the selected audio format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the OREI EARC-EX165-K used for?
A: It is used to extend HDMI ARC / eARC audio from a TV to a remote soundbar, AVR, or audio system over CAT5e / CAT6 cable.
Q: Does the EARC-EX165-K extend video?
A: No. It extends HDMI ARC / eARC audio only.
Q: Does it support eARC?
A: Yes. eARC is supported.
Q: Does it support ARC?
A: Yes. ARC is supported.
Q: How far can it extend ARC / eARC audio?
A: It extends up to 50m / 164ft over CAT5e / CAT6 cable.
Q: What CAT cable should I use?
A: Use CAT5e or CAT6 cable. CAT6 is recommended for best performance.
Q: Can I connect it through a network switch?
A: No. Connect the Transmitter directly to the Receiver using CAT cable.
Q: Is this an HDMI extender for video?
A: No. This model is for ARC / eARC audio extension only.
Q: What connects to the Transmitter?
A: The TV’s HDMI ARC / eARC port connects to eARC IN on the Transmitter.
Q: What connects to the Receiver?
A: The soundbar or AVR’s HDMI ARC / eARC port connects to eARC OUT on the Receiver.
Q: Does it support Dolby Atmos?
A: Yes. Dolby Atmos is supported through eARC when the TV, audio device, and source content support it.
Q: Does ARC support Dolby Atmos on this unit?
A: The manual lists Dolby Atmos under eARC support. ARC support is listed as LPCM 2.0CH, Dolby 5.1CH, and DTS 5.1CH.
Q: Does it support Dolby TrueHD?
A: Yes. Dolby TrueHD is supported through eARC.
Q: Does it support DTS-HD MA?
A: Yes. DTS-HD MA is supported through eARC.
Q: What audio formats are supported through eARC?
A: eARC supports LPCM 2.0 / 5.1 / 7.1CH, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, and Dolby Atmos.
Q: What audio formats are supported through ARC?
A: ARC supports LPCM 2.0CH, Dolby 5.1CH, and DTS 5.1CH.
Q: Does it support CEC?
A: Yes. CEC is supported.
Q: Does it support IR control?
A: Yes. It supports bi-directional IR control.
Q: Which IR cables are included?
A: One 5V IR Blaster cable and one 5V IR Wideband Receiver cable are included.
Q: Does it support RS-232?
A: RS-232 is not listed for this model.
Q: Does it have HDMI loop out?
A: No. This model is for ARC / eARC audio extension and does not list HDMI video loop output.
Q: What power adapter does it use?
A: Each unit uses a DC 5V/1A power adapter.
Q: Do both units need power?
A: Yes. The package includes two power adapters, one for each unit.
Q: What should I do if I do not get audio from my soundbar or AVR?
A: Make sure ARC / eARC is enabled on the TV, check that the TV audio format is set to a compatible format, and use HDMI 2.1 cables.
Q: What should I check first if ARC / eARC does not work?
A: Check that the TV ARC / eARC port is connected to Transmitter eARC IN, the soundbar / AVR ARC / eARC port is connected to Receiver eARC OUT, both power LEDs are on, and ARC / eARC is enabled in settings.
Q: What should I do if Dolby Atmos does not work?
A: Use eARC mode, confirm the TV and soundbar / AVR both support Dolby Atmos over eARC, use HDMI 2.1 cables, and select a compatible audio format in the TV settings.
Q: What should I do if CEC volume control does not work?
A: Enable HDMI CEC / HDMI Control on both the TV and soundbar / AVR, then power cycle the TV, soundbar / AVR, Transmitter, and Receiver.
Q: What should I do if IR control does not work?
A: Make sure the IR Receiver is connected to IR IN where the remote is pointed, the IR Blaster is connected to IR OUT near the controlled device, and the IR Blaster is placed close to the device’s IR sensor.
Q: Does the EARC-EX165-K need external power?
A: Yes. Connect the included DC 5V/1A power adapters to both the Transmitter and Receiver.
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