Does ClonerAlliance UHD Halo record 5.1 audio?¶

No, ClonerAlliance UHD Halo records in 2.0 stereo audio format. It does not support 5.1, 7.1, or other multi-channel surround sound formats. However, this doesn’t mean you lose audio - the device automatically downmixes multi-channel audio to stereo.

Audio Specifications¶

Audio Feature	Specification
Recording Format	2.0 Stereo (Left + Right)
Codec	AAC (256Kbps or 384Kbps)
Sample Rate	48 KHz
Multi-channel Support	No (5.1/7.1 not supported)
Downmix	Automatic from multi-channel sources

How Multi-Channel Audio is Handled¶

When the UHD Halo receives a multi-channel audio signal (such as 5.1 from a game console or set-top box):

https://s1.occld.com/image/ca/kb/ca-989uh_audio-downmix.jpg

Automatic Downmixing: The device automatically downmixes all channels (front left/right, center, surround left/right, LFE/subwoofer) into 2 stereo channels
Content Preservation: All audio content is preserved, just combined into stereo format
No Manual Settings Needed: The downmix happens automatically - no configuration required

Audio Recording Codec Options¶

UHD Halo offers two AAC encoding options for different needs:

Bitrate	Quality	Best For
256 Kbps AAC	High quality	General recordings, smaller files
384 Kbps AAC	Highest quality	Music videos, audio-critical content

Note

Both bitrates provide excellent stereo audio quality. The difference is subtle in most content - choose 384 Kbps for music or audio-critical recordings.

Why Stereo Recording Makes Sense¶

While 5.1 audio recording might seem desirable, 2.0 stereo has significant advantages for most capture use cases:

✅ Universal Compatibility: Stereo plays on ALL devices (phones, tablets, laptops, TVs)

✅ Smaller File Sizes: Stereo audio requires less storage than multi-channel

✅ Simplified Editing: All video editing software supports stereo; multi-channel requires specialized tools

✅ Platform Optimization: YouTube, social media platforms optimize for stereo playback

✅ No Information Loss: With proper downmixing, you hear all the original audio content

Common Use Cases¶

Game Recording¶

Console Audio: Game consoles often output 5.1 audio via HDMI
UHD Halo Handling: Automatically downmixes to stereo
Result: Clear game audio with all effects, dialogue, and music preserved
Playback: Works perfectly on YouTube, Twitch, or any platform

Movie/TV Recording¶

Source Audio: Movies and TV shows often have 5.1 soundtracks
UHD Halo Handling: Downmixes dialogue, music, and effects to stereo
Result: Balanced audio that sounds great on any playback device
Advantage: No need for 5.1 speaker setup to enjoy your recording

Music Performance Recording¶

Live or Studio: Recording music performances or concerts
UHD Halo Handling: High-quality AAC encoding at 384 Kbps
Result: Excellent stereo separation and clarity
Professional Tip: For critical music production, consider dedicated audio recording equipment

Audio Mixing Feature¶

UHD Halo offers an audio mixing feature that allows you to blend HDMI and microphone audio:

HDMI Audio: Game/video source audio
Microphone Audio: Your commentary or voiceover
Mix Control: Adjustable balance between the two sources
Both Stereo: Both inputs are combined in stereo format

For detailed audio mixing instructions, see Audio mixing options on ClonerAlliance UHD Halo.

Alternative Solutions for 5.1 Audio¶

If you absolutely need 5.1 audio capture:

Option 1: Dual Recording Setup

Use UHD Halo for video capture (with stereo audio)
Use separate audio recorder for 5.1 audio
Sync in post-production editing

Option 2: HDMI Audio Extractor

Use HDMI splitter with audio extraction
Extract 5.1 audio via optical/coax output to separate recorder
Record video with UHD Halo

Important

For 99% of content creators, streamers, and hobbyists, stereo audio recording is perfectly sufficient and often preferable due to compatibility and ease of use.

Passthrough Audio¶

It’s important to note:

Recording: Always 2.0 stereo AAC
HDMI Passthrough: Original multi-channel audio (including 5.1/7.1) passes through unchanged to your TV/monitor
Benefit: You can enjoy full surround sound while recording, even though the recording is stereo

Technical Details¶

Audio Feature	Details
Recording Channels	2 (Stereo)
Passthrough Channels	Up to 8 (including 5.1, 7.1)
HDMI Audio Sampling	32/44.1/48 KHz
Type-C Audio Sampling	48 KHz
Recorded Audio Sampling	48 KHz
Codec	AAC-LC
Bitrate Options	256 Kbps / 384 Kbps

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