HDMI(ARC) or Digital Audio Out?

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kiwifidget

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#248461 27-Mar-2019 12:24

Hello,

I have replaced my old Sony TV with a new Samsung QLED one.

With the old TV I had a cable going from the digital audio out (DAO) to an optical inlet on the AV receiver.

The new TV has a port called HDMI(ARC) which I am not sure is to be used instead of the DAO or as well as.

Edit to add : I intend to plug the MySky into the TV directly and not into the receiver. It just worked better that way with the old TV.

Any advice please?

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#2205594 27-Mar-2019 12:26

What’s your home theatre system/soundbar and does it support HDMI ARC? If so then use HDMI ARC.

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kiwifidget

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#2205601 27-Mar-2019 12:38

the AV receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR708, which seems to have ARC.

HDMI® (Version 1.4a to Support 3D and Audio Return Channel) with Deep Color™, x.v.Color™, LipSync, Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio™, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Multichannel PCM, and CEC

Will there be a specific ARC port on the Onkyo or just use any one? I cannot see ARC written near any of the HDMI ports.

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Groucho

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#2205602 27-Mar-2019 12:39

If your receiver supports HDMI ARC then use it. ARC is Audio Return Channel which basically carries audio in both directions across a single HDMI cable.

I have all my devices plugged into my Sony receiver. My TV is then connected to the receiver using a single HDMI cable so anything that goes through the receiver works as it should. With ARC I can watch live broadcast TV through the TV tuner or digital video from a connected USB drive which is then passed as multi-channel audio via the same HDMI cable back to the receiver. It works really well and eliminates the need for a separate audio (optical) cable.

The only catch is to make sure both HDMI sockets are labeled ARC. My receiver has 4 HDMI sockets but only one of them is ARC which by no accident is also labelled "TV".

Groucho

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#2205606 27-Mar-2019 12:42

kiwifidget:

Will there be a specific ARC port on the Onkyo or just use any one? I cannot see ARC written near any of the HDMI ports.

Try the output HDMI that the TV gets plugged in to.

rscole86

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#2205609 27-Mar-2019 12:48

From the manual.

Audio return channel (ARC) function enables an HDMI capable TV to send the audio stream to the HDMI OUT of the AV receiver. To use this function, you must select the TV/CD input selector.
• To use ARC function, you must select the TV/CD input selector, your TV must support ARC function and “HDMI Control (RIHD)” is set to “On” (➔ 55).

kiwifidget

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#2205617 27-Mar-2019 12:57

Thanks @rscole86 , I have the manual, I'm just not understanding it too well.

My ability to interpret written instructions has diminished somewhat with age, and drink.

I do better with pictures these days :)

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#2205618 27-Mar-2019 12:58

ARC offers Dolby Digital+ and optical does not.

However both are still only capable of PCM 2.0 (high quality but stereo) or lossy 5.1 surround sound.

The issue with ARC is that it can be problematic as it's often tied into the CEC protocol and every manufacturer has a different belief re: how it should be implemented.

Is there a reason why you haven't connected the Sky box to your receiver? Is the Onkyo suffering from their notorious HDMI board failures? Or do you just not like it?

kiwifidget

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#2205625 27-Mar-2019 13:09

The reason for the MySky being plugged into the TV instead of the receiver is because Himself can only deal with 2 remotes at a time.

The Onkyo has already had 2 HDMI repairs done to it. When it goes for a 3rd time I'll be looking for another brand.

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kiwifidget

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#2205628 27-Mar-2019 13:12

So here is the TV ports:

And the receiver ports:

Unfortunately none of the HDMI ports on the receiver say TV or ARC.

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kiwifidget

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#2205637 27-Mar-2019 13:24

OH! Hang on, the receiver OUT port is the TV port. So I cable that to the ARC port on the TV??

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allio

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#2205657 27-Mar-2019 13:39

kiwifidget:

So here is the TV ports:

And the receiver ports:

Unfortunately none of the HDMI ports on the receiver say TV or ARC.

ARC travels in the opposite direction to a normal HDMI signal, so it wouldn't make sense for it to be present on any of your receiver's input ports. ARC (if your receiver supports it) will be on the single output port.

As there's only one output port, it's not surprising that it doesn't have a specific ARC label.

kiwifidget:

OH! Hang on, the receiver OUT port is the TV port. So I cable that to the ARC port on the TV??

Should have refreshed! Yes, exactly.

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kiwifidget

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#2205669 27-Mar-2019 13:55

Thank you @allio .

Now I just need Himself to come home and lift the TV into position and we will see if I've done it right.

I will also test running the MySky from the receiver as well (one day when Himself is not around) to see if it would fail the HAF.

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Jiriteach

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#2205678 27-Mar-2019 14:12

kiwifidget:
Thank you @allio .

Now I just need Himself to come home and lift the TV into position and we will see if I've done it right.

I will also test running the MySky from the receiver as well (one day when Himself is not around) to see if it would fail the HAF.

Yup - ARC should be in the output HDMI of the Onkyo receiver. HDMI from there to your TV.
MySky along with other devices should go into HDMI input ports.

ARC will also provide universal control if you use the TV remote etc.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

evilengineer

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#2205746 27-Mar-2019 16:09

kiwifidget:

Thank you @allio .

Now I just need Himself to come home and lift the TV into position and we will see if I've done it right.

I will also test running the MySky from the receiver as well (one day when Himself is not around) to see if it would fail the HAF.

Buy a Harmony remote and the significant other would be able to control everything with a single device. 😃

kiwifidget

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#2205748 27-Mar-2019 16:12

@evilengineer I appreciate your optimism 😉

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