OREI BKA-1 8K HDMI Audio Extractor Troubleshooting Guide – OREI

Introduction

This troubleshooting guide helps you resolve common issues with the OREI BKA-1 8K HDMI Audio Extractor. The BKA-1 is designed to sit between an HDMI source and a TV or display, while extracting audio to a soundbar, AVR, or other audio device through optical SPDIF or 3.5 mm output. It also supports ARC and eARC audio extraction from a TV's HDMI port and includes CEC support for compatible devices.

Issue description

Use this guide if the BKA-1 is not passing audio correctly, is not working with your soundbar or TV audio setup, or is causing video, power, or CEC control issues. The steps below cover the most common setup and compatibility problems.

Signs

No sound from the optical output or 3.5 mm output
Audio works on one output but not another
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 5.1, or stereo audio does not play as expected
CEC commands such as power, volume, or input switching do not work
Black screen flashes, intermittent video dropout, or resolution problems
The unit does not power on or appears completely unresponsive

Basic troubleshooting steps

Confirm all HDMI, optical, and power cables are fully seated in the correct ports.
Verify the BKA-1 is connected between the source, TV, and audio device as intended.
Power cycle the source, TV, soundbar or AVR, and the BKA-1.
Try changing the HDMI, Optical or 3.5mm cables.
Check the source device audio settings and make sure the selected format is supported by your output device.
Try a different HDMI port on the TV.
If possible, test the source directly to the TV to confirm the source and TV are working normally.

Advanced troubleshooting steps

1. No audio from optical SPDIF or 3.5 mm

If audio is missing from the optical or 3.5 mm outputs, try these steps:

Confirm the source device is sending an audio format supported by the audio device. If using an ARC/eARC TV as the audio source, confirm the audio settings on the TV are set correctly.
Power cycle the source, BKA-1, and audio device.
Try a different optical or 3.5mm cable.
Confirm the soundbar, AVR, or audio device supports the selected audio format.
If using an ARC/eARC TV as the audio source, confirm the ARC LED on the front of the unit is turned on.

IMPORTANT: Optical supports up to Dolby Digital 5.1 audio only. It does not support Dolby Atmos or Dolby TrueHD. The 3.5mm output supports stereo audio only. Ensure that the media source device or the ARC/eARC TV are set to the correct audio format for the respective output to function. If you want audio from both, Optical SPDIF and 3.5mm at the same time, the audio format should be set to Stereo/PCM from the media source or ARC/eARC TV.

2. Setup for extracting audio from TV apps and devices connected to the TV

If you want to extract audio from TV built-in apps, DirecTV, DISH, cable boxes, or other devices connected to the TV, use the TV's ARC or eARC HDMI port with the BKA-1. In this setup, the BKA-1 can send audio to OPTICAL OUT and 3.5 mm OUT.

Connect the TV's ARC or eARC HDMI port to the port labeled OUT TV (ARC) on the BKA-1.
Confirm the TV port you are using is labeled ARC or eARC and that ARC is enabled in the TV settings.
Confirm the ARC LED on the BKA-1 is lit up by pressing the ARC button on the front.

IMPORTANT: The TV should never be connected to the Source IN port even if it is an ARC/eARC TV.

3. CEC not working

CEC on the BKA-1 only works between the ARC/eARC TV and the media source connected to the SOURCE IN port. The TV remote or the media source remote cannot control the soundbar, AVR or audio device connected to the Optical or 3.5mm output. CEC is an HDMI-only feature and does not work with Optical or 3.5mm outputs.

4. Video resolution issues, black screen flashes or intermittent dropouts

If the picture does not display correctly, the screen flashes black or there are intermittent dropouts, the issue may be related to cable quality, EDID handling, or the TV input being used.

Use certified HDMI 2.1 cables.
Try changing the HDMI cables.
Avoid optical fiber HDMI cables if possible.
Try a different HDMI port on the TV.
Try a lower resolution from the media source.
Try 000 EDID setting (1080p@60Hz with 2 channel audio) to see if the video works properly
Connect the media source to the TV directly and check if the video works properly.

5. Power supply or DC plug issues

The BKA-1 can be powered by USB or a DC adapter. If the unit is unstable or will not power on, try these steps:

Try connecting the power adapter to a different wall outlet.
Try using a different power adapter with the required specifications, if available.

IMPORTANT: An incorrect power adapter can damage the unit. Confirm the specifications from the user manual or the support team before using any third-party adapter.

6. Unit not working at all

If the BKA-1 appears completely unresponsive, try these things:

Unplug the unit for 30 seconds and reconnect it.
Test the source directly to the TV.
Check the indicator LEDs on the unit.
Try a different power outlet.

Contact support

Contact OREI support if the steps in this guide do not resolve the issue. When you reach out, it would be helpful to have some or all of the details mentioned below:

Your setup details, including the TV, source device, soundbar or AVR, and cable types used
The problem you are facing and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried
Your purchase invoice or order number
The model numbers of your connected equipment

Our support team is available via phone or email between 9 AM to 5 PM CST, Monday through Friday.

Email: info@orei.com

Phone: +1 877-290-5530

Disclaimer

This guide is intended for general troubleshooting only. Results may vary depending on your TV, source device, soundbar, AVR, cables, and audio format settings. Use caution when changing power connections or using third-party adapters, and contact OREI support if you are unsure about any step.

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