Weird issue: Audio only plays when HDMI is unplugged?

[GreaterDane]

After several evenings of Googling and viewing support threads, I need help. I just want to use a Pioneer VSX-1123 receiver to hook my PC up to surround speakers and a Samsung TV. The PC outputs HDMI to the receiver, the speakers are wired to the receiver, and the receiver sends HDMI to the TV.

The TV displays video just fine, but without sound.

The speakers work: When I turn the input to Tuner, they start hissing. Incredibly, when I unplug the TV HDMI, the PC audio starts playing!

I've tried all the settings I can get my hands on -- turning the speakers on or off via the receiver, disabling ARC, changing TV audio source and volume, even switching HDMI inputs outputs and cables. Though I want to use the surround speakers, I can't even get the TV speakers to play the PC audio!

Anyone have any idea what's going on?

 

[TLS Guy]

After several evenings of Googling and viewing support threads, I need help. I just want to use a Pioneer VSX-1123 receiver to hook my PC up to surround speakers and a Samsung TV. The PC outputs HDMI to the receiver, the speakers are wired to the receiver, and the receiver sends HDMI to the TV.

The TV displays video just fine, but without sound.

The speakers work: When I turn the input to Tuner, they start hissing. Incredibly, when I unplug the TV HDMI, the PC audio starts playing!

I've tried all the settings I can get my hands on -- turning the speakers on or off via the receiver, disabling ARC, changing TV audio source and volume, even switching HDMI inputs outputs and cables. Though I want to use the surround speakers, I can't even get the TV speakers to play the PC audio!

Anyone have any idea what's going on?

I can not tell if this is a receiver or TV problem. It could be either. What is your Samsung TV? I ask, as Samsung TVs are awash in causing HDMI problems, especially later models. They are out of compliance, and are no longer on the recommended list here.

If you have another TV can you test it with that? The only way I can see that you will get to the bottom of this is to try another TV. That receiver is an older one. We are now seeing older units not playing well with newer 4K TVs.

I had a Oppo BD player that refused to work with my new 4k pre/pro and 4K TV.

We seem to be awash in HDMI issues again. A big part to the reason is that manufacturers of all types of units are not paying for HDCP certification. So we are increasingly awash in HDMI incompatibilities, although your issue is a really strange one, we have not seen before. I suspect though the resolution is going to be a new TV, receiver or both.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd think probably just a setting for audio output in your pc.....when I used first used hdmi output from my pc I had to do so.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'd think probably just a setting for audio output in your pc.....when I used first used hdmi output from my pc I had to do so.

The problem here is that he hears audio if he unplugs the TV HDMI cable. On thinking about it, I wonder if he has tuned the HDMI audio out to off on the receiver, which he need to do, to get audio to his speakers and not the TV.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yep misread, thought he got audio from pc unplugging that hdmi.....but yes I'd check hdmi settings in the avr. Could simply be a handshake issue as well?

 

[Trebdp83]

TV and PC models will help. There are a few things that could be going on there. In Pioneer settings, make sure HDMI audio out is set to AMP, not THROUGH as that would pass audio to the TV. But, the audio would not be heard from the TV either if it’s audio is set to Receiver or Optical. The receiver would try to send audio to the TV and the TV would be trying to send it back. I’ve actually encountered this issue with a Mac connected to the receiver and audio sent out to the TV with the audio setting on the TV set to Receiver or Optical.

Samsung TVs also don’t play nicely with some devices if UHD color is on for HDMI ports as it activates HDMI 2.0 features such as 4K 50/60p 4:4:4 and 4:2:2. The Pioneer does not support those features. You might try turning UHD color OFF for the ARC port.

If using ARC, set TV’s audio setting to Receiver. Some receivers don’t require HDMI Control to be set to ON to turn ARC ON. But, ARC will not work unless HDMI Control is ON in pre eARC devices. So, make sure both are ON if going that route.

HDCP is the devil. Unlike older wifi devices, older spec HDMI devices get left behind when new HDMI/HDCP versions come along. Hope you work it out. Oh, and welcome aboard.

 

[GreaterDane]

I can not tell if this is a receiver or TV problem. It could be either. What is your Samsung TV? I ask, as Samsung TVs are awash in causing HDMI problems, especially later models. They are out of compliance, and are no longer on the recommended list here.

If you have another TV can you test it with that? The only way I can see that you will get to the bottom of this is to try another TV. That receiver is an older one. We are now seeing older units not playing well with newer 4K TVs.

I had a Oppo BD player that refused to work with my new 4k pre/pro and 4K TV.

We seem to be awash in HDMI issues again. A big part to the reason is that manufacturers of all types of units are not paying for HDCP certification. So we are increasingly awash in HDMI incompatibilities, although your issue is a really strange one, we have not seen before. I suspect though the resolution is going to be a new TV, receiver or both.

TV is a Samsung Series 6 6800 LED TV. Don't know how old it is, came with the new house.
My computer is a Zotac "ZBox" mini PC, a few years old.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I'll double check the settings, try different devices, and report back.

 

[GreaterDane]

TV and PC models will help. There are a few things that could be going on there. In Pioneer settings, make sure HDMI audio out is set to AMP, not THROUGH as that would pass audio to the TV. But, the audio would not be heard from the TV either if it’s audio is set to Receiver or Optical. The receiver would try to send audio to the TV and the TV would be trying to send it back. I’ve actually encountered this issue with a Mac connected to the receiver and audio sent out to the TV with the audio setting on the TV set to Receiver or Optical.

Samsung TVs also don’t play nicely with some devices if UHD color is on for HDMI ports as it activates HDMI 2.0 features such as 4K 50/60p 4:4:4 and 4:2:2. The Pioneer does not support those features. You might try turning UHD color OFF for the ARC port.

If using ARC, set TV’s audio setting to Receiver. Some receivers don’t require HDMI Control to be set to ON to turn ARC ON. But, ARC will not work unless HDMI Control is ON in pre eARC devices. So, make sure both are ON if going that route.

HDCP is the devil. Unlike older wifi devices, older spec HDMI devices get left behind when new HDMI/HDCP versions come along. Hope you work it out. Oh, and welcome aboard.

Those issues sound maddening! I made sure the receiver was on AMP and the TV audio was set to External, but no dice at first.

What finally solved it was both:
1) using a different PC with Windows 10 (my gf has stubbornly refused to upgrade her Windows 8 mini PC), and
2) plugging the HDMI cable back into the TV a second time, after plugging the new PC into the receiver, unplugging the TV, and hearing the audio come over the surround speakers.

I suppose this has something to do with HDMI/HDCP protocol handshaking? What a cryptic process!

 

[Trebdp83]

Joy! Glad you worked it out.

 

[GreaterDane]

Thanks for the suggestions!