eARC to Dante Encoder with HDMI and TOSLINK inputs, and a RJ45 Dante audio output

Discontinued model notice: The AudioControl ACP-DANTE-ETV has been migrated to a new SKU and replaced by the ACP-AXIS2. The specifications below describe the discontinued ACP-DANTE-ETV.

Ideal Use Cases

The ACP-DANTE-ETV is designed for installations that need to bring PCM stereo audio from a local television or video display into a Dante audio network. Its HDMI input accepts eARC audio, while a separate TOSLINK connection accommodates a digital audio source. The resulting Dante network audio is delivered through a single RJ-45 connection.

This connection layout suits a local TV zone where display audio must reach a Dante-enabled device located on the same network. It is particularly relevant when the source equipment provides LPCM audio and the project requires networked distribution instead of a conventional point-to-point audio connection.

Why Choose This Model

The principal advantage of this encoder is its focused signal path: HDMI eARC or TOSLINK digital audio enters the unit, and Dante network audio exits through RJ-45. It supports LPCM, with listed sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz and supported bit depths of 16, 24, and 32 bits. This clearly defined format support helps integrators verify compatibility before deployment.

Configurable latency settings of 1, 2, and 5 ms provide three documented options for matching the unit to a Dante system configuration. The listed frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Power can be supplied through Power over Ethernet on the RJ-45 connection or with the specified USB Type-C power adapter.

Installation and Integration

The ACP-DANTE-ETV measures 110 x 96 x 25 mm, or 4.33 x 3.78 x 1 inch, and weighs 0.5 lb or 0.23 kg. Furniture mount support is listed for installation planning. Its compact physical dimensions allow the connection and power requirements to be evaluated without allocating space for a full-size audio component.

For USB Type-C power, the specified adapter accepts 100-240 VAC at 50/60 Hz and 0.5 A, with a 5 VDC, 1 A output. PoE via RJ-45 provides the documented alternative power method. The operating range is 23°F to 125°F, equivalent to -5°C to 51°C. Storage temperature is listed as 4°F to 140°F, or -20°C to 60°C, while the supported humidity range is 5% to 90% RH without condensation.

The packaged unit measures 193 x 136 x 41 mm, or 7.6 x 5.35 x 1.62 inches, and has a packaged weight of 0.85 lb or 0.38 kg. The product carries a five-year warranty. The listed California warning states that this product can expose users to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer.

Performance Highlights

Audio performance is centered on LPCM delivery across the documented 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range. Four supported sample rates extend from 44.1 kHz through 96 kHz, while the three listed bit depths cover 16-, 24-, and 32-bit operation. These values provide concrete parameters for matching a television, display, or TOSLINK source to the Dante environment.

The HDMI connection is specifically identified as an eARC input rather than a general-purpose HDMI output. TOSLINK serves as the dedicated digital audio input, and the RJ-45 port carries Dante network audio. The unit’s purpose is audio encoding and network integration; no additional video-processing capabilities are specified in the supplied product data.

What Makes It Different

The ACP-DANTE-ETV combines two commonly encountered display-audio connections with a Dante network output in one purpose-built device. HDMI eARC addresses audio returned from a compatible display, while TOSLINK provides an alternate digital audio connection. Both are paired with the RJ-45 Dante interface required to connect the local zone to compatible equipment on the network.

Its documented combination of selectable latency, sample rates through 96 kHz, bit depths through 32 bits, PoE support, and USB Type-C adapter power gives system designers a concise set of integration parameters. The source describes this model as the first of its kind, while also identifying it as discontinued and replaced by the ACP-AXIS2.

Final Assessment

The AudioControl ACP-DANTE-ETV is a specialized encoder for moving LPCM television or display audio from HDMI eARC or TOSLINK onto a Dante network. Its strongest attributes are its clear input-to-network topology, multiple documented sample rates and bit depths, configurable latency, compact enclosure, and two specified power methods. Because this model is discontinued, it should be evaluated specifically for projects requiring the ACP-DANTE-ETV, with the ACP-AXIS2 recognized as its stated replacement.