OREI BK-931 Review: An HDMI 2.1 eARC Audio Extractor for Older Audio Systems
The OREI BK-931 bridges modern HDMI sources and displays with soundbars, receivers, powered speakers and legacy optical equipment. It provides one HDMI source input, separate HDMI connections for a TV, eARC soundbar and amplifier, plus optical and 3.5mm audio outputs. In Tech Steve’s PS5 demonstration, 120Hz, HDR and VRR support remained available after adding the extractor, while audio successfully reached the TV, soundbar and analog powered speakers. Its main limitations are the single source input, restricted optical and analog formats, and lack of Dolby/DTS decoding or formal surround downmixing.
Video summary
Tech Steve unboxes the BK-931, identifies its EDID control, status lights, service port and audio connections, and then installs it between a PlayStation 5 and a television. The PS5 continued to report 120Hz support at 1440p and 1080p, along with HDR and variable refresh rate capabilities. He then connected an eARC soundbar and analog powered speakers, confirming audio from the TV, soundbar and speakers in his setup. He concludes that the extractor is a practical solution for connecting modern HDMI sources and newer audio systems to displays or receivers that lack the necessary eARC, optical or analog connections.
Tech Steve Takeaway
The BK-931 is a practical problem-solver when a modern console, TV and audio system do not share the same connection options. It is especially useful for preserving 4K120 gaming features while feeding high-bandwidth audio to an eARC soundbar, or for adding optical and stereo analog outputs for older equipment. It is best for a one-source system; buyers with several consoles or players will also need an HDMI switch.
Gaming compatibility
The HDMI path supports 4K at 120Hz along with VRR and ALLM pass-through. QMS, QFT and SBTM signaling are also supported with compatible equipment. Tech Steve’s PS5 check retained 120Hz support at 1440p and 1080p after the extractor was installed. Measured input latency was not established, but the device is designed to pass the source signal rather than scale it.
Signal compatibility
The adapter passes compatible refresh-rate and VRR signaling without generating frames or applying motion processing. Its verified ceiling includes 4K120 and 8K60, subject to compatible source and display hardware and suitable Ultra High Speed HDMI cables.
Audio support
Compatible HDMI and eARC paths can carry LPCM, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X and other Dolby, DTS and DSD formats. Optical is limited to PCM stereo, Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1, while the 3.5mm output is limited to two-channel PCM. The unit does not include a Dolby/DTS decoder, so source format selection and EDID negotiation are important when mixing HDMI, optical and analog equipment.
Compatibility and features
There is no app or smart operating system. Setup is handled through physical connections, an eARC switch and EDID management. CEC can pass compatible control commands between attached equipment, although actual control behavior depends on the TV, source and audio device.
What we like
- Preserves up to 4K120 and 8K60 video within the specified chroma and bit-depth limits
- Passes VRR, ALLM, QMS, QFT and SBTM signaling for compatible gaming systems
- Routes lossless Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS:X over compatible HDMI paths
- Provides dedicated connections for a TV, eARC soundbar and HDMI amplifier
- Adds optical and 3.5mm outputs for legacy receivers and powered speakers
- Can extract audio from an external HDMI source or a compatible TV’s ARC/eARC return
- Compact metal enclosure with a low stated maximum power draw
What to consider
- Only one external HDMI source input is available
- Optical output is limited to PCM stereo, Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1
- The 3.5mm analog output supports only two-channel PCM
- No internal Dolby/DTS decoder or formal surround-to-stereo downmix decoder
- Using multiple audio outputs can force source negotiation to the lowest common format, often stereo
- Does not downscale video for displays that cannot accept the source format
- Full 8K and 4K120 operation requires compatible equipment and suitable Ultra High Speed HDMI cables
Tech Steve verdict
The OREI BK-931 is a strong choice for shoppers who need to combine a modern HDMI 2.1 source with an eARC soundbar, HDMI receiver or older optical and analog audio equipment. It preserves demanding video features including 4K120, VRR, ALLM and major HDR formats while offering considerably more audio-routing flexibility than a basic extractor. The tradeoffs are one HDMI source input, optical audio capped at compressed 5.1, analog audio capped at stereo and no internal Dolby/DTS decoding or formal surround downmixing. Buy it for a single-source gaming or home-theater system with mismatched audio connections; choose a separate HDMI switch or matrix if several source devices must remain connected simultaneously.
Exclusive technology
Dedicated eARC Bridge
Routes high-bandwidth audio from an HDMI source to an ARC/eARC soundbar or receives audio returned by a compatible TV, allowing newer audio equipment to be used in systems with mismatched HDMI audio capabilities.
Advanced EDID Management
Manages the capability information exchanged among the source, display and audio equipment to help the source select a compatible video and audio format.
CEC Control
Passes compatible HDMI control commands so an eARC television can control connected source and soundbar functions where the attached equipment supports CEC.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Pass-through
Preserves compatible variable-refresh-rate signaling between a game source and display to reduce visible tearing and judder.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) Pass-through
Allows compatible source equipment to request the display's low-latency mode automatically.
Quick Media Switching (QMS) Pass-through
Passes HDMI signaling intended to reduce blank screens when compatible devices switch between content frame rates without changing resolution.
Quick Frame Transport (QFT) Pass-through
Preserves compatible HDMI signaling that transports each video frame more quickly to reduce transport latency.
Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) Pass-through
Passes HDMI signaling that lets a compatible source tailor HDR output to a compatible display's reported capabilities.
Specifications
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Connectivity
Design & Installation
Gaming
General
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Specifications
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