Transformative Engineering (TE) has introduced the HAI-1 Audio Injector, a patent-pending device that allows the user to substitute audio in an HDMI signal path. Typical applications include injecting the center channel information so a TV’s speakers can be used as the center channel. Another use may be injecting a local microphone pre-amp signal in an educational or corporate environment to utilize the TV’s internal amplifier and speakers. This eliminates the need and cost of another separate amplifier, speakers, and installation.

The HAI-1 has one HDMI input and one output, stereo RCA line-level inputs and speaker audio inputs. In center-channel applications, speaker input would be connected to an AV receiver’s center-channel output. The RCA jacks are used to inject line-level mono or stereo signals into the HDMI signal. They may be used to play independent audio sources such as a local microphone for narration or CD/MP3 player for background music through the TV’s audio system. The HAI-1 also has a USB port for firmware updates.

The Transformative Engineering HAI-1 will debut at CEDIA and lists for $199. The details will be posted here after CEDIA.