What happens if I connect an HDTV with HDMI ARC in and a receiver with HDMI OUT (non-ARC)?

Evaddaragon · Dec 21, 2016

See above. My receiver is a Sony STR-DG910. It supports 7.1 PCM at 24bits and 192Khz, which I like, but doesn't have 4K and HDR passthrough, nor does it have ARC (it came out in 2007 or so). Right now, with my Sony KDL-32XBR6, the receiver acts as the hub and only the HDMI out is connected to the TV. Therefore for the last 8 years (bought the TV and receiver in 2008), I had 1080p and Hi-Res Audio.

Should I decide to upgrade my Sony KDL-32XBR6 to a Sony XBR-43X800D (it has a HDMI ARC IN), is it possible to use the TV as my hub and connect the ARC IN of the TV to the non-ARC HDMI OUT of the receiver? Or will I have to upgrade my receiver as well to keep the same level of audio? That would make a difference of at least 500$, which isn't negligible to say the least.

Thanks in advance!

jsmithepa · Dec 21, 2016

If by "hub" you mean you currently have all the other components hooked directly to TV, and they work, then you can just keep it. Adding ARC on TV doesn't change anything. Currently to get TV audio, you have an audio cable, ether directly from cable box, or TV's headphone out/Toslink, having ARC on both pieces affords you to rid this audio cable, because it makes the ARC connection audio bi-directional. A side benefit of ARC maybe, you can have receiver OSD (On Screen Display) available at all times vs only some of the times.

But you will learn, eventually, the receiver needs to be the hub. When you are ready.

Evaddaragon · Dec 21, 2016

I'm afraid you didn't read my question correctly.

As stated by my question, my current receiver "is" the hub, because if I want Hi-Res Audio, it has to be routed from it to the TV. What you said about using optical cables and not having to use it with ARC, I'm already aware of.

But I believe you've answered my question regardless, because you stated that "ARC is a bi-directional" connection. So, if my receiver has a non-ARC HDMI output, it won't work, right?

Also, are you telling me that using the TV as the hub with ARC doesn't actually provide Hi-Res Audio? If that is true, then what is the point of ARC in the first place if you still need to use the receiver as the hub? The applications of the smart TV, such as Netflix? I'd never use those, seeing as a PS4 or PC can do all of that and would be connected to the receiver.

jsmithepa · Dec 22, 2016

Evaddaragon :

That's correct, both ends must be ARC capable else it doesn't work.

Never mind about the hub then, you have it the correct way.

americanaudiophile · Dec 22, 2016

The only source of HiRes audio would be music files or of you had a BD player some discs support HiRes audio or lossless codecs for movies. Neither would pass through the TV. Any other sources will be fine through an optical connection from the TV to the receiver if the TV will pass surround sound. In most cases all your sources go to the receiver via HDMI and the video is passed to the TV but for the internal TV tuner or smart TV apps you need to get the audio back to the receiver. ARC uses wires in the HDMI cable that previously had no purpose so you save having to add another cable.

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What happens if I connect an HDTV with HDMI ARC in and a receiver with HDMI OUT (non-ARC)?

Evaddaragon

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Evaddaragon

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