ARC & AV amp… getting it to work!

[gary71]

So… Old faithful plasma died recently so I’ve bought a new LG that finally integrates all the streaming and catch up services so I can ditch all the multiple boxes!

Previously I was using all the traditional inputs on my AV amp and just using the TV as a dumb monitor.

Now I’d like to use the TV audio to feed the AV amp via the eARC HDMI connection.

Despite following all the instructions I can’t get any audio. TV is set for eARC output, amp is on ‘display’ input

Is there something simple I’m missing? I’ve not used ARC before .

Amp is an Arcam AV750 and TV is LG OLED65C14LB
Thanks

[VEX]

First question - are they both eArc compatible?

Second question if yes - have you turned on or checked any HDMI EDID / eArc setting in either device.

[Red 5]

Even if they are both stated as eARC, it’s not a given it’ll work.
It’s hit and miss at the best of times

[SS2.]

Red 5 said:

Even if they are both stated as eARC, it’s not a given it’ll work.

It’s hit and miss at the best of times

This ^^

I've had setups which have worked faultlessly, and others which on paper should have been fine, but simply refused to play ball.

[legzr1]

A temp workaround would be to take an optical feed from the TV to the AV amp.

It’s what I did some time ago when eARC was in its infancy and an absolute lottery.

If it’s of concern, you will lose the latest codecs but should still get core DD and DTS surround.

[gary71]

Thanks for the input, the TV is eARC and the amp is only ARC as it’s a few years old. My reading suggests in theory that should work, but I guess not in this case!

I’ve got both devices set correctly as far as I can tell, but nothing!

I’ve found an old optical cable that I’ve lashed in to test it and can now get the sound from the TV to the amp.

That may become a permanent fix, but I’m going to have to pull the panels off the wall behind the TV to run another cable! I though I put enough wires in before including spare HDMI…

[Timothy Bucktu]

Obvious things first...there will be one dedicated ARC channel on the TV, and one dedicated ARC on the amp.
Make sure both devices are set to use ARC, obvz.
Don't settle for Optical...it's old and has it's limits - you really want ARC to work!

I did chuckle when you said you can now ditch all the external devices...I wonder how long it'll be until you realise the TV's built in apps are crap, and your devices are better?

[legzr1]

gary71 said:

Thanks for the input, the TV is eARC and the amp is only ARC as it’s a few years old. My reading suggests in theory that should work, but I guess not in this case!

I’ve got both devices set correctly as far as I can tell, but nothing!

I’ve found an old optical cable that I’ve lashed in to test it and can now get the sound from the TV to the amp.

That may become a permanent fix, but I’m going to have to pull the panels off the wall behind the TV to run another cable! I though I put enough wires in before including spare HDMI…

There are cheap options out there for little boxes that will take a digital audio signal from HDMI over Toslink.
Saves ripping walls down.

It might only give 5.1 and be old but it’s still capable especially with decent kit.

[Lucid_AV]

Timothy Bucktu said:

Don't settle for Optical...it's old and has it's limits - you really want ARC to work!

Aside from HDMI control, ARC and optical deliver exactly the same audio for a non-Atmos amp such as the Arcam 750.

[bcr5784]

Timothy Bucktu said:

I did chuckle when you said you can now ditch all the external devices...I wonder how long it'll be until you realise the TV's built in apps are crap, and your devices are better?

I had the same hope when I bought my KD48A9 Sony. While the recorder facility is very flakey and no match for any recorder I have ever used - other things are fine. The media player is fine, catch up services are fine and things like Disney are OK too. Is the LG worse?

[gary71]

I’ve not used the recording facility, think you have to put a USB stick in it. We rarely used the old box as catch up services are pretty much all encompassing, apart from not being able to skip adverts of course!

Other than that the LG is pretty good so far. Prime, Netflix and Disney+ straight from a dedicated button on the remote. All the other services arranged on the home screen and accessed via a ‘magic mouse’ remote which works pretty well.

[mgv8]

Call Arcam but I think you can only get audio to it over Optical on the 750, not over HDMI. The HDMI is just for switching?

[gary71]

mgv8 said:

Call Arcam but I think you can only get audio to it over Optical on the 750, not over HDMI. The HDMI is just for switching?

The manual says it does ARC, as do a label next to the two output HDMI ports.

I’ve bought a new optical cable so if I can’t make it work it will be a permanent work around

[Timothy Bucktu]

Lucid_AV said:

Timothy Bucktu said:

Don't settle for Optical...it's old and has it's limits - you really want ARC to work!

Aside from HDMI control, ARC and optical deliver exactly the same audio for a non-Atmos amp such as the Arcam 750.

Audio quality stops at DD 5.1, whereas with HDMI you get DD+ (which Netflix mostly uses), plus DTS HD, True HD which Bluerays use etc. I guess if the amp only supports DD 5.1, then meh. But most importantly, control over HDMI does make the system more wife friendly!