OREI BK-401ARC HDMI 2.1 eARC Switch Review

OREI BK-401ARC 8K 4x1 HDMI 2.1 Switch with eARC

Photos coming soon.

The short version

Buy it if

Living rooms with more consoles and streamers than TV HDMI ports
Setups that need eARC passthrough to a soundbar or receiver
Older speakers or amps that only take optical or a 3.5 mm input

Skip it if

You want the switch to change inputs on its own when a device turns on
You need guaranteed 4K@120Hz and cannot confirm it with the seller
You want 7.1 or Atmos over optical, which the format cannot carry

What owners like

The spec list covers current console features such as VRR and ALLM
eARC and audio extraction in one box saves buying a separate extractor

Common complaints

Inputs must be switched by button, remote or CEC; there is no auto switching
The maker's own spec lines disagree on whether 4K runs at 120Hz
Optical output tops out at 5.1 and analog at stereo, so Atmos needs the eARC path

Based on No owner feedback on this model could be read. Themes come from the OREI product page, a retailer spec page and the Amazon listing title, plus the published specs of a rival EZCOO switch..

Research scores

Performance 6.8 full eARC format list, but maker specs conflict on 4K@120Hz

Build quality 7.0 metal enclosure and 1 year warranty, no owner durability data

Ease of use 7.0 CEC and IR remote, but no auto switching

Value 7.0 mid priced for a switch that also replaces an audio extractor

Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.

Ownership

Owned sinceNov 2025

Owned for11 months

Times bought1

Price range$$

Nov 2025
First bought.

Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.

What it does

A four input, one output HDMI 2.1 switch with eARC and an audio extractor that sends sound to optical or a 3.5 mm jack, reviewed here as the closest well documented match to the switch originally bought.

Four HDMI sources share one TV or monitor input
eARC passes lossless and Atmos audio from the TV to a soundbar or receiver
Audio extraction to optical or a 3.5 mm jack for older speakers and amps
CEC lets a TV remote work across connected devices, plus an IR remote in the box
EDID management for matching the source output to the display
Metal enclosure

A fit for a TV with too few HDMI ports, or a soundbar that needs eARC, when several consoles and streamers share one screen. The trade-offs are no auto switching, optical and analog outputs that stop at 5.1 and stereo, and a maker spec sheet that lists 4K@60Hz in one place and 4K@120Hz in another, so check the 120Hz claim before buying it for a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

How it compares

EZCOO EZ-SW41H21A-EO 4x1 HDMI 2.1 eARC switchBetter if you want 4K@120Hz and 1080p@240Hz stated plainly, plus L/R analog outputs and DIP switch audio settings$$$

OREI BK-401A 8K 4 port HDMI switch with audio extractBetter if your soundbar connects by optical or analog and you do not need eARC$$

OREI BKA-1 8K HDMI or eARC audio extractorBetter if you only need to pull audio from one source and your TV already has enough HDMI ports$$

Specs

Ports: 4 HDMI in, 1 HDMI out, optical S/PDIF out, 3.5 mm stereo out, USB-C service port
HDMI and HDCP: HDMI 2.1, HDCP 2.3
Bandwidth: 48Gbps FRL, 18Gbps TMDS
Video: Up to 8K@60Hz 4:2:0; retailer lists 4K@120Hz 4:4:4, maker spec line lists 4K@60Hz and 2K@120Hz
HDR and gaming: HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG pass through; VRR, ALLM, QMS, QFT, SBTM
eARC/ARC audio: Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, LPCM, DSD and more
Optical and analog audio: Optical: LPCM 2.0, Dolby and DTS 5.1. Analog: LPCM 2.0
Power: 5V/1A adapter, 2.5W max
Size and weight: 176 x 68 x 18 mm, 315 g
Warranty: 1 year

Worth knowing

OREI recommends HDMI 2.1 cables no longer than 10 ft for 8K and 30 ft for 4K.
The maker's spec sheet lists video modes inconsistently; verify 4K@120Hz support before relying on it.

Questions

Does it support eARC?

Yes. OREI lists eARC and ARC with Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, DTS:X and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Does it auto switch inputs?

No. The maker notes there is no auto switching; use the front button, IR remote or CEC.

Will it do 4K at 120Hz for a PS5 or Xbox Series X?

A retailer listing says 4K@120Hz 4:4:4, but one OREI spec line says 4K@60Hz and 2K@120Hz. Confirm with OREI before buying for 120Hz gaming.

What HDMI cables does it need?

OREI recommends HDMI 2.1 cables, kept under 10 ft for 8K and under 30 ft for 4K.

Can I get surround sound through the optical port?

Up to Dolby or DTS 5.1. The analog jack is stereo only.

Sources

Researched 2026-10-02. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.