Longtime reader, first time poster! I have an issue that's doing my head in and would love some input please!
I have a yamaha RX-V2085 receiver with the latest firmware. I beleive that this should enable eARC as from factory was only ARC. I have a new LG G2 TV with HDMI 2.1 cable running from ARC OUT into the ARC on the receiver. Sounds works.
My question is regarding Netflix in particular. I u to watch netflix through my foxtel IQ4 box which i don't want to do anymore as is doesn't have the upgraded video (Dolby vision) output like my TV and can only do 5.1 sound at best. The amp should be able to do much better audio e.g. atmos. When I watch through Foxtel IQ4 box I can see under the title on Netflix the 5.1 symbol but not the Dolby Vision. When I use this and have the Yamah receiver set to "straight" or "pure direct" mode, I still only get sound from front 2 speakers. If I change to "surround decode auto" mode, I get the sound out of all the surround speakers.
If I watch Netflix through the tv, I see the Dolby Vison under the title and can noticeably see the better video quality, but I don't see any "sound titles" like 5.1 or Atmos. Once again when i have the Yamah receiver set to "straight" or "pure direct" mode, I still only get sound from front 2 speakers. If I change to "surround decode auto" mode, I get the sound out of all the surround speakers.
If I set sound option on TV away from ARC output and just to TV sound, I see the Atmos symbol in Netflix as the TV can supposedly produce Atmos sound, but obviously I don't want to use TV sound.
Obviously, Netflix recognises the sound option available from the Foxtel box and TV and shows this as the Netflix App is embedded into the Foxtel box and TV and an recognise its options.
My dilemmas
- Shouldn't "straight" or pure direct mode on the receiver play the sound as it's been received? so from Foxtel, I should hear sound as 5.1? Is the "surround decode auto" mode processing the sound for me to then hear it from all speakers?
-Why can't Netflix through the TV when set to ARC sound recognise the amp and show me at least the 5.1 symbol or preferably the Atmos symbol under the titles. One again, is the "surround decode auto" mode processing the sound for me to then hear it from all speakers? In this setup Does Netflix not show the sound titles as the TV is simply outputting the sound to the amp via ARC and is not receiving info from the amp so therefore Netflix doesn't' recognise its sound options? If this is the case, is Netflix only outputting 2 channel sound as it doesn't think I have equipment for the 5.1 sound? As I mentioned earlier when using Foxtel box and "straight" or pure "direct" receiver settings, I still only get 2 speaker sound, even though Netflix shows the 5.1 sound symbol under the title. Does this mean there is something not working with the eARC connection and maybe it is still just an ARC connection and not upgraded with the firmware as stated? I was under the impression that "pure direct" and/or "straight" mode on the receiver would output sound as it was input?
So does "surround decode auto" process the 2 speaker sound to use all the speakers, or is that actually the mode playing the audio as it is received and I don't have a problem at all? Therefore although Netflix doesn't show the "sound symbols" when using ARC, it is still actually outputting the "good" sound?
Hope this all makes sense, and thanks in advance for any input!