Need a receiver for 2.1 setup with HTPC / Vizio 4k

[BobStrauss]

I use an HTPC with my TV (for Netflix but especially music - NO BLUE RAY), but just upgraded to a 4k Vizio. My Denon AVR-891 apparently can't handle that, so it's time to upgrade. What would be a decent receiver for this setup, especially if I'm only running with a 2.1 speaker setup? I'm really clueless when it comes to codecs and things like that.

Thanks for the help!

 

[lovinthehd]

Your HTPC cannot simultaneously provide hdmi output to your tv and an audio one to your receiver? That's what some do with older receivers, just use it for audio.

What's your budget? Most modern receivers are of the 7ch or more variety but would work fine with a 2.1 setup and allow for speaker expansion. There is even a receiver or two based on 2ch that has 4k hdmi and bass management (like the Onkyo 8270).

 

[BobStrauss]

I just have one HDMI output on my HTPC. Disclaimer: I don't really know much about this stuff at all. Are you saying I could use a different HDMI or an optical audio connection from my HTPC to receiver just for the audio?

If I were to keep my old AVR-891, would I be missing out on anything (codecs, features, etc) that would allow me to run Vizio's Smartcast apps well?

 

[lovinthehd]

I just have one HDMI output on my HTPC. Disclaimer: I don't really know much about this stuff at all. Are you saying I could use a different HDMI or an optical audio connection from my HTPC to receiver just for the audio?

If I were to keep my old AVR-891, would I be missing out on anything (codecs, features, etc) that would allow me to run Vizio's Smartcast apps well?

The optical sounds like an option to try if you have that as well as hdmi (hoping they both output simultaneously), you have plenty of optical ins on your avr. Many have dual output bluray players, too, so a way to bypass the avr that may not be updated (but doesn't mean other issues may not arise that may need to adjust like audio/video sync). You might be able to use an hdmi splitter, don't know much about those myself as have never needed one.

 

[BobStrauss]

What about running audio from my Smart TV to my receiver? I see an ARC HDMI on my AVR-891, but that says "Monitor Out." When I connected that to my TV's HDMI ARC, I got nothing.

Should I use an optical cable there as well?

Thanks for the help.

 

[lovinthehd]

What else did you do to setup ARC? It's more than just making the hdmi connection, usually you have to enable HDMI-CEC options in the tv and avr to fully enable ARC (and even then funny stuff can happen as ARC/HDMI-CEC isn't always applied equally by all brands). How do you have everything connected?

 

[slipperybidness]

What about running audio from my Smart TV to my receiver? I see an ARC HDMI on my AVR-891, but that says "Monitor Out." When I connected that to my TV's HDMI ARC, I got nothing.

Should I use an optical cable there as well?

Thanks for the help.

Just figure out the ARC, that would be easiest. When ARC works well, it is nice and simple. But, ARC working is not a given.....

 

[BobStrauss]

The CEC was already enabled on my TV. Not sure on the AVR - I see nothing on how to adjust that.

I’m still confused about the “Monitor/Out” label the ARC HDMI port has on the receiver. There’s no source setting on the receiver for that, just the other HDMI ones (for instance, BD, Aux, etc). Which source setting would I even choose?

 

[lovinthehd]

The CEC was already enabled on my TV. Not sure on the AVR - I see nothing on how to adjust that.

I’m still confused about the “Monitor/Out” label the ARC HDMI port has on the receiver. There’s no source setting on the receiver for that, just the other HDMI ones (for instance, BD, Aux, etc). Which source setting would I even choose?

On most avrs it's usually just enabling the HDMI control option (maybe HDMI-CEC) if not something specific to ARC (on my Denon 4520 it's called HDMI control and is in the setup menu under Video > HDMI setup). What does your manual say?

 

[Leemix]

Usually there is a tv or tv audio or something like that input button on the remote. But the input assign needs to be ARC, might be already set.


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[BobStrauss]

I'd really like to run everything through my HTPC using an HDMI cable. However, I'd like to keep it as slim as possible, given it will be placed under my wall-mounted TV. Thinking of:

Marantz NR1509 or Yamaha RX-S601. Both aren't high-powered (50 and 60 watts, respectively), but do they have plenty to drive a pair of Boston Acoustics A26s? My brother suggested the Sony STR-DH590, which is rated for 90 watts per channel, but I wonder how accurate those numbers are.

 

[everettT]

https://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html