Simple ARC question

[paddyboy111]

I have a Vizio E480i-B2 television and a Denon E300 AVR. I'm trying to do a fairly simple setup. TV to AVR to speakers. I use the Smart TV for Over-the-Air signals and Netflix only, and am trying to send the audio signal to the AVR to the speakers. Nothing comes out of the speakers, but it can come out of the TV.

1. I can get sound through the 5.1 speakers through the AVR's radio antenna and through Airplay, so i think the AVR to speaker connection is just fine.
2. I checked the specs on my TV, AVR, and HDMI cables are all ARC-compatible and I have connected the cable between the two spots that say 'ARC'. I believe they are connected well because my TV menu has searched and found the Denon device.
3. I have read the manuals and my TV:
a) is set to 'Bitstream' for digital audio out
b) surround sounds is on
c) speakers are off (i've also tried with them on, no difference)
d) CEC is set to On

4. My AVR:
a) Has HDMI Control On
b) Passthrough Soutce is "Last"
c) HDMI output is set to "AVR"

I then try to turn on the AVR and try the 'TV Audio' button, it says D=OPT and then it changes and says PLII C TV.

have no clue what to try next, this is my first time using an AVR and I have looked up everything that says ARC in the manuals and online. Any ideas?

Patrick

 

[Adam]

Hi, Patrick, and welcome to the forum!

I thought this had a simple answer, until I read through the Denon manual a bit more. The "D=OPT" was the key thing for me, because I believe that means the Denon is using the optical digital audio input for the TV. I thought that you just had to assign the TV to HDMI, but you actually can't (per page 95 of the manual). You can check out page 97 where it talks about "Input Select," which refers to choosing which input connector will be used: Auto, HDMI, Digital, or Analog. However, it says that if "HDMI Control" is set to On, and you are using an ARC-compatible TV, then the input mode for TV is locked to ARC.

So, a question - on the front of the Denon, once you have the TV on and the Denon set to "TV Audio," what symbol is lit up on the top left corner of the Denon front panel display? Choices are "AUTO," "HDMI," "DIGITAL," and "ANALOG."

 

[paddyboy111]

Wow Adam thanks alot. It says Digital. I guess I need to change that to HDMI somehow?

 

[Adam]

I'm not sure, but I think so. I hope that someone else here who uses ARC (my TV doesn't have it) can chime in and help you out. I'm just going off of the manuals, and I haven't found anything, yet.

Which HDMI cables are you using? I ask because I use Monoprice RedMere cables that are directional, and if you are too, I'm wondering how you have them connected.

 

[paddyboy111]

One other piece of information that may help. On page 126 of my manual, titled "Inputs", it shows the Input Assign screen. On my screen, I have an "X" in the row for TV Audio in the first column labeled HDMI. I have an "Opt(ical)" in the Digital column. When i delete the Opt in the digital column (only choices are Opt, Coax, and blank). The little box shows as audio rather than digital. The "X" in the HDMI column in the TV Audio row is unchangeable. I have the CBL/SAT row with a "1" in the HDMI column.

 

[paddyboy111]

Adam, I'm using: IBRA® 6m High Speed ORANGE GOLD HDMI Cable 3D PS4 2160p 4K Ultra HD(6M/19.2 Feet). I have them connected the usual way, between HDMI port one on the TV that says 'ARC' and the 'ARC' plug on the AVR.

Patirick