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XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC
Using The HDMI-ARC Input
The Audio Return Channel (HDMI-ARC) is a feature that is available on virtually all modern TV sets.
ARC is also currently available on one or two projectors and will probably be available on more
projectors in the near future. It is important that you understand how HDMI-ARC works before
using it to connect your XDA-3 to your television set.
Before smart TVs became popular, when a system included a TV or projector and an AVR or
preamp/processor, the various sources were connected to the AVR or processor, and the output
of the AVR or processor was then connected to an input on the TV. The AVR or processor then
intercepted the incoming audio/video signal, extracted the audio portion of the signal, which it
then processed and played, and passed the remaining video signal to the display.
However, with modern smart TVs, we often encounter situations where the audio portion of
the signal originates in the TV itself. This is the case when you are watching programming that
originates with a streaming App running on the TV, or if you have a source device like a gaming
console connected directly to the TV, rather than to the AVR or processor. This may be done to
minimize latency for gaming or because the source and TV support a resolution or frame rate not
supported by the AVR or processor. In these situations HDMI-ARC may be used to route audio
from the TV to the AVR or processor.
This connection may also be used to enable you to play high quality digital audio from your TV
through your main audio system via the HDMI-ARC input on the XDA-3.
When you use HDMI-ARC, the audio signal travels “backwards” through the HDMI cable
that normally carries the video signal from the AVR or processor to the input on the TV.
The HDMI-ARC audio signal travels FROM the input on the TV TO the output of the AVR
or processor. Therefore, when you use the HDMI-ARC Input on the XDA-3, you will be
connecting an HDMI cable from the HDMI-ARC Input on the XDA-3, TO THE HDMI-ARC
*INPUT* ON THE TV.
Note: EVEN THOUGH YOU WILL BE USING THE HDMI-ARC CONNECTION ON YOUR TV TO
OUTPUT A DIGITAL AUDIO SIGNAL, THAT CONNECTION IS NORMALLY USED AS A VIDEO INPUT
ON THE TV, SO IT WILL BE LABELLED ON THE TV AS AN HDMI-CEC/ARC INPUT.
Note: The HDMI-ARC connection between your TV and the XDA-3 uses an ordinary HDMI cable.
This connection does not require a high speed HDMI cable. HOWEVER, BE SURE TO USE AN
HDMI CABLE THAT INCLUDES AN ARC CONNECTION, WHICH VIRTUALLY ALL MODERN HDMI
CABLES INCLUDE. IF YOU PLAN TO USE A SPECIAL POWERED HDMI CABLE OR OTHER TYPE OF
HDMI EXTENDER, BE SURE THAT IT ALSO SUPPORTS ARC. ALSO NOTE THAT, WHILE WE EXPECT
HDMI-ARC ON THE XDA-3 TO WORK WITH MOST POWERED CABLES AND EXTENDERS THAT
SUPPORT ARC, WE CANNOT PROMISE THAT IT WILL, AND CANNOT PROVIDE SUPPORT IF YOU
ARE UNABLE TO GET IT TO WORK.
Note: Once you connect the HDMI-ARC Input on the XDA-3 to your TV it should appear on the
list of output devices on your TV. Your TV should automatically detect and use ARC rather
than eARC. Your TV should also automatically detect that the XDA-3 is a stereo device and
automatically send audio to it in the correct audio format.
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