HDMI Question

[rich p]

Good morning. I am upgrading my AVR, BR, and TV. I know the HDMI cable from the AVR to the TV should have the ethernet and extra return channel. Do I need the same for the BR to the AVR?

 

[BMXTRIX]

There is no reason to have the Ethernet channel or the ARC channel unless you plan to use those connections for something specific. But, if you do plan to do this, then the only one that really needs ARC is the cable between the TV and the A/V receiver and the receiver would need to support ARC (audio return channel) if you would like to use it for something.

 

[rich p]

Thanks. I have all my gear (BR, VCR, CBL BX, WII) going into the AVR. I don't want to turn on the AVR to just watch tv or play games - I thought I needed the ARC so I could do this. Mt TV will be over a fireplace so I am trying to have only 1 connection directly into the tv.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The ability for your AVR to pass audio and video to the TV when the AVR is off is a function of the AVR, not of the TV or of ARC.

OR - if you hook all the components up to the TV, it could be accomplished through the TV.

But, since you only want to hook things up to the AVR, you will need to ensure that the AVR supports HDMI passthru when the receiver is off.

More importantly... Why in the world would you want your quality speakers off ever? Why not get a good universal remote and just use the good equipment you are paying money for? I've never heard a good reason from anyone on this. Your quality speakers will produce better sound at lower volumes which will enhance clarity and help people understand what is going on and is just as important for use during the news, or for kids shows as it is for premiere movie nights. It truly is something that you should use all the time so the garbage speakers inside the TV are never (EVER!) turned up. A good universal remote control will make this brain dead easy for anyone in your home to use. My wife, in-laws, and kids (since age 4) have no problem with our setup.

 

[TLS Guy]

The ability for your AVR to pass audio and video to the TV when the AVR is off is a function of the AVR, not of the TV or of ARC.

OR - if you hook all the components up to the TV, it could be accomplished through the TV.

But, since you only want to hook things up to the AVR, you will need to ensure that the AVR supports HDMI passthru when the receiver is off.

More importantly... Why in the world would you want your quality speakers off ever? Why not get a good universal remote and just use the good equipment you are paying money for? I've never heard a good reason from anyone on this. Your quality speakers will produce better sound at lower volumes which will enhance clarity and help people understand what is going on and is just as important for use during the news, or for kids shows as it is for premiere movie nights. It truly is something that you should use all the time so the garbage speakers inside the TV are never (EVER!) turned up. A good universal remote control will make this brain dead easy for anyone in your home to use. My wife, in-laws, and kids (since age 4) have no problem with our setup.

Absolutely correct. There is never a reason to use TV speakers, if you have a decent rig.

Also remember if you do have a receiver that supports HDMI pass through, then your receiver is never really off and the HDMI board is on all the time. In other words expect high electric bills if you use that feature.

 

[rich p]

Thanks very much gentlemen. I do, indeed, love my Energy speakers but for watching the news or a quick sit com I really don't feel the need to go 5.1. Now for Walking Dead or a good documentary, sure. I guess I am deluding myself into thinking I am saving a little electricity!

 

[markw]

Excellent response.

Thanks very much gentlemen. I do, indeed, love my Energy speakers but for watching the news or a quick sit com I really don't feel the need to go 5.1. Now for Walking Dead or a good documentary, sure. I guess I am deluding myself into thinking I am saving a little electricity!

There are a lot of jaded people on this site. Just because you have something doesn't mean you need to use it all the time. A lot of times the wife is napping on the couch while I watch TV and using the big guns doesn't make sense. Likewise, who needs it when the grandkids are watching their sponge bob of disney channel drek. Then, it's downright annoying.

 

[avnetguy]

In other words expect high electric bills if you use that feature.

Don't most pass-throughs use less than 5W?
I don't think that'll be a big hit on the electric bill.

Steve

 

[BMXTRIX]

There are a lot of jaded people on this site. Just because you have something doesn't mean you need to use it all the time. A lot of times the wife is napping on the couch while I watch TV and using the big guns doesn't make sense. Likewise, who needs it when the grandkids are watching their sponge bob of disney channel drek. Then, it's downright annoying.

How about this as the reason:

The better speakers were purchased because they are more intelligible. This means that you can hear the audio produced more distinctly at lower audio levels when they are in use.

It means, that the more simple shows, such as the news, won't need to be blaring for there to be proper intelligibility for the person who is speaking.

Likewise, for kids shows, instead of having to crank up Spongebob to understand what he is saying, the volume can be kept lower, and the kids will be able to hear what is going on.

Of course, I do recommend a remote and receiver which offers the ability to have sound presets which can keep a subwoofer from playing at movie levels.

But, beyond that, isn't the entire point of the audio system to get better audio? And if it is in a family room, why not let the family use it all the time so that they all benefit, all the time, from the quality of sound that the nicer speakers recreate.

I've tried it both ways, but my wife and brother both are currently just using TV speakers to watch things and they think it sucks. (two separate homes) For just the stupid shows, yes, you can do whatever you want, but wasn't the point of all this to get better sound? Not just better sound when you are listening?

 

[Grador]

I can easily understand voice at under 50db [as low as my SPL meter reads] using my system, but around 65db on my TV.

Also with a good universal remote it's easier to use the AV system all the time rather than some of the time.

I hit one button on my remote to watch Tv, this turns on the cable box/tv/AVR. If I wanted to watch Tv without using the AVR it would require far more work.

With no sarcasm involved, I'm curious why you feel using the system is excessive. I've come across this opinion several times in the past and just can't quite see it myself.

 

[avnetguy]

I watch a fair amount of TV without my system on but I always turn the 5.1 on when watching movies and when gaming. I don't find dialog any harder to hear on my TV or need to crank the volume up to hear it, maybe it has better speakers than most TVs, I don't know.

Steve

 

[markw]

How about this as the reason:

Well, sometimes, it's just a plain old TV, not a sound system. You don't always feel like taking the Maserati to the supermarket, at least don't.

That, and being able to control everything from the cable/dish remote is quite a convenience.

Is that acceptable to you? Good. I'm glad.

Please note I didn't wait for your answer. My rejoinder is valid for whichever way you answered.