Help with AV setup, specifically ARC

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Hello, I'm looking some help with setting up my new AV receiver. I've just purchased a new AV receiver (Sony STR-DN1050) and I'm about to begin attaching the labyrinth of wires. My tv (Sony KDL-32W4000) does have hdmi inputs but none of those have ARC (Audio Return Channel). Despite my googling I don't really understand what ARC is and does.

I had assumed that I just put all the sources into the AV receiver and then have one hdmi from its output to the input on the tv. However the user manual appears to suggest that a connection to tv without ARC should be hdmi cable and an optical cable. It is a little ambiguous and could also be read that the optical cable is optional. I don't have a optical cable, so before I go buy one I was wondering if any one could tell whether it is necessary?

[Autopilot]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Hello, I'm looking some help with setting up my new AV receiver. I've just purchased a new AV receiver (Sony STR-DN1050) and I'm about to begin attaching the labyrinth of wires. My tv (Sony KDL-32W4000) does have hdmi inputs but none of those have ARC (Audio Return Channel). Despite my googling I don't really understand what ARC is and does.

I had assumed that I just put all the sources into the AV receiver and then have one hdmi from its output to the input on the tv. However the user manual appears to suggest that a connection to tv without ARC should be hdmi cable and an optical cable. It is a little ambiguous and could also be read that the optical cable is optional. I don't have a optical cable, so before I go buy one I was wondering if any one could tell whether it is necessary?

Your description is correct and understanding ARC will clear this up....I'm not an expert but do like gadgets and tech so have a reasonable understanding! Basically, think of the HDMI between the sources and receiver and the HDMI between the receiver and the TV as a one way street. You shove video and audio up them, but nothing comes back.

ARC (Audio Return Channel) does what it says on the tin, it returns audio, so if you have ARC on a TV it means it can send the audio from the TV to the receiver, so in other words, TV audio now comes out the Receiver.

Your current setup will work fine, all the sources you have plugged in to the receiver will play through the receiver. However, when you watch TV , you won't be able to get the TV to play through the amp. The mention of the optical cable is that if you don't have ARC (you don't), then you'll need an optical cable FROM the tv to the amp so that it essentially makes the TV an input source. ARC just shoves the audio back down the same cables.

If you want your TV to come out your AMP (and assuming the TV DOES have an optical output), then putting this cable between the two devices will allow that to happen.

Edited by Autopilot on Tuesday 13th January 12:53

[clockworks]

I can't see how you will get TV sound from the AVR without using an optical lead?
Of course, all your other sources should work fine, TV optical connection only needed if you are watching TV using the TV tuner. If you watch via another source (Sky box or Freeview recorder, for example) you won't need optical between amp and TV. You might need optical connections between the sources and the amp though.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Thanks for the help, I'm still a bit confused by this as I can't see (or should that be hear?) what audio the tv needs to send back to the av receiver. I don't use the built in tuner on the tv, all the input sources go directly into the av reciever. Apologies for being a but dim with this one, but as my tv has an optical output I will get and use an optical cable as well.

[Autopilot]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Thanks for the help, I'm still a bit confused by this as I can't see (or should that be hear?) what audio the tv needs to send back to the av receiver. I don't use the built in tuner on the tv, all the input sources go directly into the av reciever. Apologies for being a but dim with this one, but as my tv has an optical output I will get and use an optical cable as well.

So you're using Sky / Freesat etc?

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Freesat, hdmi cable from that into the receiver.

[Autopilot]

I'd wait for somebody in the know to come along, but I'd have assumed that the connection between Freesat and the AV Receiver carries audio and video so would work ok. Think the ARC may be bit of a red herring. This has it's place, but don't think it's here!

The use of an optical cable would only apply if you use the TV's tuner (freeview) and the TV didn't have ARC.

Saying that, I remember seeing that Sky HD boxes didn't carry Dolby Digital via HDMI (Only stereo) so it was necessary to run an additional Optical lead between the Sky box and the Av Receiver if you wanted Dolby so won't be surprised if we see an convoluted response come up!

Edited by Autopilot on Tuesday 13th January 13:18

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Thanks for the help, I've ordered a cheap optical cable from Amazon anyway. My freesat box has a optical output so maybe I can use that anyway. Failing that I can connect my CD player optically.

Edited by RedWhiteMonkey on Tuesday 13th January 13:33

[JimbobVFR]

If you only use external sources that are connected to the AV Amp then there's no need for either Arc or the additional optical cable at all. Its only required if you use either the internal tuner or any smart functions on your TV and want the sound to come through your TV.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Thanks, if only the various guides I found on ARC through were so concise. Why do some website insist on maintaining hifi as a black art?

[Schtum]

The other thing that ARC does is to allow you to use your TV remote control to set the volume on your AV amp. So, for example, I can set the volume on my Yamaha RX-V573 by using the VOL rocker on the Sky HD+ remote. As well as using the remote for my Philips TV, the remote for my amp and the Yamaha app on my iPhone and iPad to do the same thing......

[NorthDave]

JimbobVFR said:

If you only use external sources that are connected to the AV Amp then there's no need for either Arc or the additional optical cable at all. Its only required if you use either the internal tuner or any smart functions on your TV and want the sound to come through your TV.

Exactly. Just use HDMI for everything - it has audio embedded.

ARC just sends audio from the TV to the amp. I use it a lot at home to send Netflix and embedded apps back for surround sound. Most smart TVs have it.

If you are lucky with the kit you have then CEC can also use the HDMI to allow your TV to control other equipment (Bluray, AVR etc) but there are no guarantees as the manufacturers all interpret the 'standard' differently!