TV as switching unit

[Squishman]

Even though my Yamaha RX-A1060 has multiple hdmi outs as well as inputs, my current system has all my hdmi video devices going to my TV instead of the receiver using the TV as the switching unit. No HDMI return either. I just use an optical audio cable. Does anyone else do that?

 

[Pogre]

I don't.

 

[lovinthehd]

Much prefer the capabilities of avr as switcher myself...

 

[MR.MAGOO]

no.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Nope, but I know that there are others that do this. Some people like that they can use the audio on the TV if they want to. I don't get it myself.

 

[everettT]

I have but don't anymore due to HD audio codecs

 

[j_garcia]

I am not sure why anyone would do this. Doing it this way is fine if you don't mind missing out on better audio.

 

[lovinthehd]

I could see using my tv for various video sources as I could calibrate my tv for each source individually (vs the single hdmi input from the avr), but I don't, it's more about the audio than the video in my case.

Not a gamer but suppose there could be an advantage in lag time in using direct to tv as well?

 

[everettT]

That's exactly the reason I did mine that way (calibration reasons) luckily some newer AVRs and prepros will allow for individual source calibration.

I could see using my tv for various video sources as I could calibrate my tv for each source individually (vs the single hdmi input from the avr), but I don't, it's more about the audio than the video in my case.

Not a gamer but suppose there could be an advantage in lag time in using direct to tv as well?

 

[Mark of Cenla]

I do it that way so that my wife can use the system. She could not deal with everything going to the AVR. When playing DVD's and Blu-rays, I can get sound directly from the Blu-ray player (from the digital coax output), and it sounds a bit clearer than the HDMI to the TV and the optical out from the TV to the AVR. Peace and goodwill.

 

[slipperybidness]

I do it that way so that my wife can use the system. She could not deal with everything going to the AVR. When playing DVD's and Blu-rays, I can get sound directly from the Blu-ray player (from the digital coax output), and it sounds a bit clearer than the HDMI to the TV and the optical out from the TV to the AVR. Peace and goodwill.

Nothing that a good universal remote and a few macros can't fix.

 

[Audioctor]

Was doing that with previous AVR Yamaha Rx V750. It didn't have HDMI connectivity. But I was unable to get Dolby/DTS HD and higher formats functioning. So automatically all sound was Stereo (no surround). I read somewhere that Optical fibre doesn't have enough bandwidth to carry those formats. Hence I changed my AVR to Denon x3300w and am using it as the switching device through HDMI. Though I have connected my SetTopBox to the TV so that wife can use it. You can have the audio from TV to AVR through ARC when needed. HDMI should be the preferred connection if you wish to enjoy Dolby HD/Atmos and DTS HD/DTS X etc.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

 

[Pogre]

Don't ya hate it when someone posts a thread, gets several replies, then never posts in it again..?

 

[j_garcia]

My g/f has already figured out how to use my system with and without the stereo on; no macros required. I think I'll have to keep her.

 

[Squishman]

Audioctor, thanks a lot for posting. That is super intriguing to me about the optical. I had no idea it was inferior to hdmi for audio. I imagine I have been missing out on some primo Dolby Digital sound for a long time. I am glad I posted this topic, otherwise, I'd have never been educated about that. I am now in the process of hooking everything up through the AVR. I do like to just have the TV on for certain things like Fox News or whatever. What I am hoping is that the receiver "remembers" that it was on cable when it was turned off and lets that signal through w/o turning it on. We'll see, but it's not a deal breaker. btw, I've been reading every single one Pogre.

 

[Squishman]

What is "ARC"?

 

[lovinthehd]

What is "ARC"?

ARC is an hdmi function for taking audio from a tv back to the avr over a single hdmi cable, stands for Audio Return Channel (and sometimes comes with unwanted HDMI-CEC aspects, particularly when mixing brands as each has their own interpretation of implementation).

ARC hdmi is same capability as an optical cord, can handle lossy codecs (not lossless codecs like Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD-MA).

 

[Squishman]

Thanks Lovinthehd. I just found that as I am re-setting up my system. My TV does support ARC.

 

[BMXTRIX]

So, I can't speak for the Yamaha receiver until I look at the manual, but I know that with decent Denon receivers, you can actually setup HDMI pass through when the receiver is off. That is, when you power off your A/V receiver, it will pass HDMI audio and video through it directly to the TV.

This is great for things like (most notably) cable television. Where your wife/kids just want to turn on the TV with the TV remote and watch... TV. They don't need to turn on the A/V receiver or switch inputs. You don't need to use ARC or a different HDMI connection on the television to watch cable, you just power the TV on, use the TV remote to adjust volume, etc. On Denon receivers, you can select what source you want passed to the TV when the receiver is powered off. You can force it to use a specific source, like your cable tuner, or you can tell it to use the 'last used' source. So, if you used your Blu-ray player last, it will select that as the source. Best part, is that the choice is yours.

Sure enough, page 120 of the Yamaha manual indicates that same type of functionality.
Yamaha calls it 'Standby Through'.
https://uk.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/8/799468/RX-A1060_Manual_English.pdf

So, go ahead and hook that cable box up to the A/V receiver as well, and it will playback through the television just fine while the receiver is powered off.

 

[Squishman]

Thx for looking into that BMX. I set the AVR up last night and tried that out and viola! Happy about that. One concern I had was when my roommate goes to bed early, I have the audio RCA outs going to a small radio shack amp for my headphones so I don't wake her up. So that is awesome that I can still do that too.