Vanco announced the PulseAudio PAEXEARC Digital Audio Extender with eARC that transmits eARC, ARC or S/PDIF digital audio signals via HDMI eARC or ARC digital audio signals up to 328 feet (100m) over a single Cat 5e/6 cable. The company says S/PDIF signals can be extended even further, up to 626 feet (200 meters). Both the eARC/ARC and S/PDIF outputs are always live, allowing operators to switch between them at a moment’s notice. The eARC/ARC mode also supports CEC passthrough.

Vanco says the eARC supports high-definition, immersive audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos, including uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound and object-based audio. S/PDIF supports compressed surround sound formats, including Dolby Digital and DTS. By offering support for both eARC/ARC and S/PDIF, the company says PAEXEARC ensures integrators always have a pathway to deliver multi-channel audio.

The PAEXEARC consists of two units: a transmitter and a receiver. Vanco says the units are powered by bi-directional PoC (Power over Cable), so only one unit needs to be connected to external power. Each unit has one S/PDIF and one HDMI I/O port; operators can instantly toggle between eARC/ARC and S/PDIF output via a hardware switch on the transmitter unit.