BLUSTREAM BLUARC HDMI Bluetooth Audio Extractor User Guide
- June 1, 2024
- BLUSTREAM
Table of Contents
BLUSTREAM BLUARC HDMI Bluetooth Audio Extractor
Product Information
The Blustream BLUARC is a versatile multi-format audio switching device designed for embedding, de-embedding, and routing audio between different audio sources and sink devices in conjunction with HDMI video distribution. It supports various audio inputs such as HDMI embedded audio, external L/R analog audio, optical digital audio, Bluetooth audio, and HDMI ARC audio. With multiple audio routing options, the BLUARC is suitable for both residential and commercial applications where Bluetooth connectivity is essential.
Specifications
- Supports multiple audio inputs: HDMI embedded audio, external L/R analog audio, optical digital audio, Bluetooth audio, HDMI ARC audio
- Output options: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI audio only, HDMI ARC (e.g., soundbar), optical digital audio, L/R analog audio
- Bluetooth codec support: SBC format, APTX-LL (limited to one connection)
Product Usage Instructions
Front Panel Controls
- Power Button: Press to toggle device on/off
- Input Button: Toggle between inputs
- Mode Button: Press and hold for 3 seconds to switch between Bluetooth RX or TX mode
- Bluetooth Pair Button: Press to make the device discoverable for pairing
- Mute Button: Toggle audio mute on/off
- Volume Up/Down Button: Adjust the audio output volume
Bluetooth Usage
The BLUARC supports both transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) audio signals
via Bluetooth. Follow these steps:
- To switch between TX and RX modes, press and hold the Mode button for 3 seconds.
- Transmit (TX) Function: Allows up to two simultaneous connections with Bluetooth headphones/speakers/receivers. Pair by pressing the Pair button, entering pairing mode on your receiving device, and connecting.
Introduction
The Blustream BLUARC is a multi-format audio switching device designed to embed or de-embed, and route audio between different audio source and sink devices where HDMI video is being distributed. This multi-input audio switch supports HDMI embedded audio, external L/R analogue audio, optical digital audio, Bluetooth audio and HDMI ARC audio inputs, distributed to different audio devices via Bluetooth, HDMI output, HDMI audio only, HDMI ARC (i.e soundbar), optical digital audio, and L/R analogue audio outputs. The multiple audio routing options make the BLUARC suitable for both residential and commercial applications where Bluetooth connectivity is required.
Specifications
- Video Input Connectors: 1 x HDMI Type A, 19-pin, female
- Video Output Connectors: 3 x HDMI Type A, 19-pin, female
- Audio Input Connectors: 1 x Optical (S/PDIF), 1 x analogue L/R (3.5mm stereo jack) Audio Output Connectors: 1 x Optical (S/PDIF), 1 x analogue L/R (3.5mm stereo jack) Network Connectors: 1 x Ethernet connection (RJ45)
- Bluetooth Antennae: 1 x SMA connector
- RS-232 & I/O Connectors: 1 x 5-Pin Phoenix connector
- IR Input Connectors: 1 x 3-Pin Phoenix connector
- Firmware Upgrade: 1 x Micro-USB UART port
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 125mm x 147mm x 25mm
- Shipping Weight: 0.6kg
- Operating Temperature: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)
- Storage Temperature: – 4°F to 140°F (- 20°C to 60°C)
- Power Supply: 12V/1A DC, screw connector
Package Contents
- 1 x BLUARC
- 1 x IR receiver
- 1 x 3-pin Phoenix connector
- 1 x 5-pin Phoenix connector
- 1 x IR Remote Control
- 1 x Mounting kit
- 1 x Quick reference guide
- 1 x 12V/1A DC power supply
FEATURES
- Supports HDMI2.0b 18Gbps 4K UHD 60Hz 4:4:4 pass-through including HDR
- Supports all industry standard video resolutions including VGA-WUXGA and 480i-4K
- Supports pass-through of all known HDMI audio formats including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio transmission
- HDMI audio breakout to Bluetooth audio (2ch PCM), HDMI output, HDMI audio-only output, HDMI soundbar output, analogue L/R audio (2ch PCM) and optical digital outputs concurrently (up to LPCM/Dolby/DTS 5.1ch)
- HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) to Bluetooth audio (2ch PCM), HDMI audio-only output, HDMI soundbar output, analogue L/R audio (2ch PCM) and optical digital outputs concurrently (up to LPCM/Dolby/DTS 5.1ch)
- Analogue L/R and optical digital audio embedding
- Analogue L/R and optical digital audio de-embedding
- Bluetooth audio types supported including APTX, APTX-LL etc
- Bluetooth 5.0 output and L/R output support volume adjustment
- Bluetooth 5.0 specification supporting SBC/MP3/AAC/APT-X /APTX-LL/APTX-HD, 44.1K-48KHz 16/24Bit 2ch only
- Control via front panel, IR, RS-232, TCP/IP, Web-GUI, GPIO, & CEC
- Supplied with Blustream 5V IR receiver
- 3rd party drivers available for all major control brands
- HDCP2.3 compliant with advanced EDID management
- Please note: when 2x Bluetooth devices are connected that Bluetooth codec type will be SBC format’
- Please note: audio performance and latency is subject to Bluetooth-connected devices/audio codec compatibility and audio from source device. When a Bluetooth Low Latency codec is being used (APTX-LL), the number of connections is limited to one Bluetooth-receiving device.
Front Panel
-
Power Button – Press to toggle device on/off
-
Input Button – Press to toggle between inputs
-
Mode Button – Press and hold for 3 seconds to toggle between Bluetooth RX or TX mode
-
Bluetooth Pair Button – Press to make device discoverable for Bluetooth pairing, press and hold for 3 seconds to disconnect all connected devices
-
Mute Button – Press to toggle audio mute on/off
-
Volume Up / Down Button – Press to raise or lower the audio output volume
Left Panel
-
Analogue Audio Input – 3.5mm stereo jack for analogue audio input
-
Optical Audio Input – Toslink (S/PDIF) for optical audio input
-
HDMI Input – Connect to HDMI source device
-
IR Voltage Selection Switch – Select IR voltage level between 5V or 12V input for IR IN connection
-
RS-232 Port – 3-pin Phoenix connector
-
Trigger Port – 2-pin Phoenix connector
-
IR In Port – 3-pin Phoenix connector
-
TCP/IP Network Connection – RJ45 connector for TCP/IP and web-GUI control of the device
-
BT Upgrade Port – Micro USB for Bluetooth firmware updates
Right Panel
-
Antenna Connection – SMA connector to connect to supplied antenna
-
Analogue Audio Output – 3.5mm stereo jack for analogue audio output
-
Optical Audio Output – Toslink (S/PDIF) for optical audio output
-
HDMI Output 1 (ARC) – Connect to HDMI input of display featuring ARC
-
HDMI Output 2 (Audio Only) – Connect to HDMI input of sink for audio only (no video)
-
HDMI Soundbar Output (ARC) – Connect to HDMI input of compatible ARC soundbar d
-
DC Power Port – DC jack to connect to supply 12V / 1A power supply/
Top Panel
-
Analogue L/R Audio LED – Illuminates when analogue L/R audio input is selected
-
Optical Audio LED – Illuminates when optical audio input is selected
-
HDMI LED – Illuminates when HDMI input is selected
-
ARC LED – Illuminates when ARC audio input is selected
-
Bluetooth LED – Illuminates when Bluetooth audio is selected
-
Bluetooth TX / RX LED – Illuminates corresponding LED when BLUARC is in Bluetooth TX or Bluetooth RX mode;
-
Volume LED – Illuminates to identify the current volume level
-
Bluetooth Pair LED – Illuminates when a Bluetooth connection is active
Bluetooth
The BLUARC supports an audio signal to either be transmitted or received via Bluetooth. The Bluetooth can be configured to Auto (TX / RX auto switch), Transmit (TX) only, or Receive (RX) only.
- Auto (default) – This mode will automatically switch Bluetooth to TX mode or RX mode depending on which input source is selected. If Bluetooth is selected as the input source, Bluetooth will work in RX mode. If any other input source is selected, Bluetooth will work in TX mode. Note this mode is only selectable via the web GUI or API.
- TX Only – This will force Bluetooth TX mode regardless of which input source is selected (Bluetooth input is not available in this mode). Bluetooth will transmit from the BLUARC to allow connection to Bluetooth-compatible headphones/speakers / receiver devices.
- RX Only – This will force Bluetooth RX mode regardless of which input source is selected. The BLUARC will only allow for Bluetooth source devices (such as a Phone or a PC) to be received in this mode.
To manually switch between Transmit (TX) mode and Receive (RX) mode, press and hold the Mode button on the front panel for 3 seconds. Please note that it will take ~3 seconds for Bluetooth to restart after switching modes.
Transmit (TX) Function:
TX mode allows for up to 2x simultaneous connections with Bluetooth
headphones/speakers / receiver devices. To pair the BLUARC with your Bluetooth
receiver device, press the Pair button on the front panel and the BLUARC will
enter pairing mode with the “PAIR” LED flashing. Enter your Bluetooth
receiving device into pairing mode and ensure it is in range of the BLUARC.
Once connected, the “PAIR” LED will stop flashing and become solid.
Receive (RX) Function:
RX mode supports only one connection from a Bluetooth source device. To
connect a Bluetooth-enabled source to the BLUARC, press the Pair button on the
front panel (if in manual pairing mode), go to the Bluetooth settings of the
source audio device, and enable Bluetooth connectivity. The BLUARC will appear
in the list of available devices.
Web-GUI Control
The BLUARC features an in-built web GUI which can be used for control and
configuration of the device. By default the BLUARC is set to DHCP however if a
DHCP server (eg: network router) is not installed, the units IP address will
revert to the below details:
- The default Username is: bloodstream Default Password is: 1234
- The default IP Address is: 192.168.0.200
For further information please see the BLUARC User Manual – available to download from the Blustream website.
Schematic
FCC NOTICE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION – changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
CANADA, INDUSTRY CANADA (IC) NOTICES
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
- this device may not cause interference, and
- this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
CORRECT DISPOSAL OF THIS PRODUCT
This marking indicates that this product should not be disposed of with other
household wastes. To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health
from uncontrolled waste disposal, recycle it responsibly to promote the
sustainable reuse of material resources. To return your used device, please
use the return and collection systems or contact the retailer where the
product was purchased. They can take this product for environmentally safe
recycling.
www.blustream.com.au | www.blustream- us.com | www.blustream.co.uk
FAQ
Q: How many Bluetooth connections can the BLUARC support?
A: The BLUARC can support up to two simultaneous Bluetooth connections in
Transmit (TX) mode.
Q: What happens when switching between Bluetooth TX and RX modes?
A: It takes approximately 3 seconds for the Bluetooth to restart after
switching modes on the BLUARC.