Ethereal CS-HDMABO3 HDMI audio de-embedder with pass-through (18Gbps bandwidth)

Name: Ethereal CS-HDMABO3
Brand: Ethereal
SKU: 120HDMABO3
Price: 144.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Item # 120HDMABO3

This handy converter adds optical digital and analog stereo connections to an HDMI-only audio/video source.

Front

1/9

Shown with included brackets and power supply

2/9

Only at Crutchfield

3/9

Only at Crutchfield. No pressure. And no commissions! Our experts help you get what you need and will never upsell you. No sweat. We do the research, so you get the best info, the best instruction, and the best tech support. All for free. No regret. With 60-day price protection and returns, you can feel good about your purchase – or send it back. Legendary Service. Since 1974.

Input detail

Output detail

Left rear

Bottom

Right front

Top

Ethereal CS-HDMABO3 Shown with included brackets and power supply

This handy converter adds optical digital and analog stereo connections to an HDMI-only audio/video source.

Item # 120HDMABO3

Ships free

Every order includes

Free lifetime tech support
60-day price-drop protection
60-day returns

In stock

$144.99

Add to cart

Other options

Add to wishlist

Get questions answered fast & free

Expert help 400+ hours training Virginia-based

1-888-955-6000

Distribute sound to different gear

Some set-top boxes and other audio/video sources only have HDMI outputs. But some audio gear — especially older systems — don't have HDMI inputs. That's where Ethereal's CS-HDMABO3 comes in. It accepts HDMI connections and gives you separate optical digital and 3.5mm analog stereo outputs for hooking up your components.

HDMI input and pass-through output

Connect your source to the adapter's HDMI input. The audio and video signal pass through the adapter. The HDMI output delivers the signal to a separate device without any loss in audio quality, video quality, or functionality. These HDMI 2.0 connections support video resolution up to 4K/60Hz, including 3D and HDR-encoded signals.

5.1-channel surround sound

Ethereal's de-embedder can pass 5.1-channel Dolby® Digital and DTS signals through its optical digital output. At the same time, it will output the 5.1 audio through its HDMI output.

Note: in this mode, the stereo minijack is disabled.

2-channel stereo

If you set your source's output to stereo, the CS-HDMABO3 can pass the two-channel audio signal through all three outputs: HDMI, optical digital, and 3.5mm analog stereo.

Note: does not downmix Dolby® or DTS encoded audio.

Product highlights:

extracts audio from an HDMI input and sends a digital or analog signal to a separate device
- HDMI pass-through output
- optical digital output
- 3.5mm analog stereo output
"5.1ch" mode passes 5.1-channel audio to HDMI and optical digital outputs
- analog stereo output disabled
"2ch" mode passes 2-channel stereo to all the outputs, including HDMI
- does not downmix Dolby® or DTS encoded audio
supports HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, and earlier versions
- up to 18Gbps bandwidth
- up to 4K/60Hz video resolution
- supports 3D and HDR-encoded signals
3-1/16"W x 7/8"H x 3-1/2"D
warranty: 1 year
MFR # CS-HDMABO3
Item # 120HDMABO3
California customers: Please click here for your Proposition 65 WARNING.

What's in the box:

Ethereal CS-HDMABO3 owner's manual

HDMI audio de-embedder with pass-through
AC power adapter (attached 4' DC cord)
2 Brackets
4 Screws
User Manual

Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Product Research

Features

HDMI Audio De-Embedder with Pass-Through: The Ethereal CS-HDMABO3 allows you to take an HDMI source and de-embed the audio for use on either an optical audio connection or stereo minijack (3.5mm) analog connection, all while still passing audio through on the HDMI output, preserving the quality of sound. The CS-HDMABO3 will passthrough a native 5.1ch LPCM or 2ch PCM audio signal (does not support downmixing of Dolby Digital or DTS encoded audio).

Connectivity: The Ethereal CS-HDMABO3 is equipped with a HDMI input and output, toslink optical digital output and a stereo minijack (3.5mm) output.

HDMI 2.0: Both the HDMI input and output meet HDMI 2.0 specifications and are HDCP 2.2 compliant. The HDMI input and output support speeds up to 18Gbps, offer video up to 4K/60Hz with 4:4:4 color sub-sampling (including 10-bit HDR), and deliver a variety of audio formats (up to 196kHz) - including 2ch PCM & 5.1ch LPCM, Dolby Digital & Dolby Digital TrueHD, as well as DTS & DTS-HD. The HDMI input and output also support 1080p/3D video and provide CEC pass-through.
Optical Toslink: The toslink optical digital output supports 5.1ch LPCM or 2ch PCM audio signals (up to 96kHz), including Dolby Digital and DTS.
Stereo Minijack: The stereo analog minijack (3.5mm) output supports 2ch audio only.

Note: If you experience sources not visible after a power cycle, but appear after powering the CS-HDMABO3 off and on, please turn the CEC functions off on connected displays. The CS-HDMABO3 will pass CEC commands, including the power down/sleep command sent from the display to the AV source device.

Settings: The Settings switch on the CS-HDMABO3allows you to select the type of audio signal that is sent to your TV or AV receiver.

2.0Ch: When set to the 2.0ch mode, all the outputs (including HDMI, Optical Toslink, and Stereo Minijack) will be output at 2ch stereo.
5.1Ch: When set to 5.1ch, the HDMI and Optical Toslink jacks will output a 5.1 multichannel audio signal (the Stereo Minijack port will be disabled).
Pass-Through: When set to Pass-Through, the audio output will be determined by the supported audio channel of the connected HDMI display orand sound system. The Optical Toslink or Stereo Minijack may or may not be active.

Note: The CS-HDMABO3 does not downmix Dolby Digital or DTS encoded audio.

AC Power Adapter: The Ethereal CS-HDMABO3 includes an AC power adapter with attached 5' DC cord.

Mounting Options: The CS-HDMABO3 comes with two brackets and four screws to mount the brackets to the HDMI audio de-embedder. The mounting brackets allow you to secure the HDMI splitter to a shelf (mounting screws for shelf not included).

Loading accessories...

2 questions already asked

Can I use this to pass through an HDMI ARC signal to my AVR while also running an optical signal to a sound bar? The goal would be to run the AVR and sound bar at the same time, essentially using the optical only sound bar as a center channel, or switch from AVR to the sound bar without changing output settings on the TV.

jeff Jul 08, 2023

1 answer

This device does not support HDMI ARC. You may send video/audio information from a source device (DVD/Blu-ray/cable box/game console) into the CS-HDMABO3, which will allow you to play audio through both the soundbar and AVR; however, audio from your TV cannot be send into this device via ARC. Additionally, although you may use the soundbar and AVR at the same time in the method mentioned above, the soundbar will not act as a proper center channel. Center channel speakers receive discrete audio information from an AVR. The soundbar in the configuration you've described will receive either 5.1 information, which would not be discrete center channel audio.

zachary Jul 09, 2023 (Staff)

Will this function as a DAC while using the HDMI output?

james Jun 05, 2023

1 answer

If you are looking to output an analog 2-channel signal you can send that through the HDMI pass through and the analog 3.5mm output at the same time, James. "2ch" mode passes 2-channel stereo to all the outputs, including the HDMI. When "5.1ch" mode is selected the sound is output via HDMI and optical only and the analog output is disabled.

bo Jun 05, 2023 (Staff)

Loading articles...

Compare the sound

SpeakerCompare^™

Patented Virtual Audio^™ technology

Brand

Model

Please turn active noise cancelling off for best results

Don't see your headphones?
Rent our Listening Kit

SpeakerCompare^™ is protected by patents and patent applications owned by Crutchfield Corporation.

SpeakerCompare^™

Patented Virtual Audio^™ technology

Audition speakers before you buy

SpeakerCompare simulates the sound of home and car speakers through your headphones. It lets you compare sonic characteristics between speakers so that you can make a more informed shopping decision.

To get started: For the best sound comparison, we recommend selecting your brand and model of headphones in the right-hand column, or if your headphones aren't listed, you can rent one of our Listening Kits.

SpeakerCompare^™ is protected by patents and patent applications owned by Crutchfield Corporation.

Start here

SpeakerCompare^™

Please turn active noise cancelling off for best results

EQUAL
POWER

EQUAL
VOLUME

What to listen for

Track notes

Artist:

We're here to help

For free personalized advice, call 1-888-291-8923. Our Advisors have listened to most of the speakers we carry, and can help you make the best choice for your system.

We'd love to know what you think

Audition speakers before you buy

SpeakerCompare simulates the sound of home and car speakers through your headphones. It lets you compare sonic characteristics between speakers so that you can make a more informed shopping decision.

Why selecting your headphones is important

SpeakerCompare tailors your listening experience to the exact headphones you have, so that what you hear is comparable to auditioning speakers side-by-side in person. Knowing which model headphones you’re using lets us remove any sonic coloring from your experience.

Two different listening modes

In an actual listening room, you'd find that some speakers play louder than others when fed the same amount of power. In equal power mode, you'll hear these differences in loudness as they naturally occur between speakers.

In equal volume mode, we've made the loudness of each speaker about the same. This gives you a more direct comparison of subtle voicing differences between speakers.

Nothing beats listening to speakers in your space

SpeakerCompare gives you a sense of the sonic differences. But performance in the real world is affected by the acoustics of your car or home, your choice of amplification, and your source material. We still believe that the gold standard for auditioning speakers is hearing them in your own environment — that’s why we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Our Listening Kit

To help you choose the right speakers, we recommend using Crutchfield’s SpeakerCompare Listening Kit. It includes a pair of studio-quality headphones, and a guide to getting the most out of your session, and a few other necessary items. We’ve carefully chosen the components of this kit to ensure a crystal-clear listening experience. It’s available for a nominal rental fee, and includes a $25 Crutchfield merchandise credit.

Request a kit

Expert help from our Advisors

Our hours

Shop smart & save time when you connect with an advisor

Our hours

Shop smart & save time when you connect with an advisor

Thank you. You are in line to receive a call from .

It's your turn. will be calling you shortly at .

Ethereal CS-HDMABO3 HDMI audio de-embedder with pass-through (18Gbps bandwidth)

Other options

Get questions answered fast & free

Find what Fits your vehicle

Installation notes:

Additional items are required: