Problem with Node, Apple TV, and ARC
Answered
Hi,
I got a Bluesound Node (over something like a Wiim Pro) specifically because I wanted to use the ARC port so I could still use the remote control for my Apple TV to control the volume rather than a separate remote or preamp or whatever.
So my set-up right now is:
Apple TV > TV > Node
With the Apple TV plugged into a regular HDMI port and the Node plugged into the eArc port.
The problem I'm having is that when I set the sound to use the TV default, no sound goes to the Node. The only way I seem to be able to get sound from the Apple TV to the Node is by Airplaying from the Apple TV to the Node. This works, and the Apple TV remote indeed controls the sound, but it means that whenever I Airplay music directly to the Node and then try to use the TV, I need to manually reconnect the Apple TV to Airplay which is pain.
I don't really understand why if the Node is plugged into the Arc port and there's media playing on the TV, the Node doesn't just pick up the sound from the Arc port. The way it works with Airplay I could literally unplug the Arc cable and not use it at all, so what's the point of it?
I poured through the settings of the Apple TV, the TV (a Sony Bravia), and the Node to try and figure out what I wasn't setting right and couldn't figure it out.
Any help?
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Official comment
Hi Eric, sound like you have the wiring correct, TV’s HDMI ARC port to the Nodes HDMI ARC port. This should 100% reproduce the TV’s audio.
Do check to make sure the TV is outputting stereo PCM as the NODE does not work with surround formats.
Some TV’s require a HT (home theatre) mode turned on to send the audio out so worth looking through the manual for your TV.
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Yes I checked that I was sending stereo sound in PCM, no dice. In the default mode, when I’m playing something over the Apple TV, and go to the Bluesound app, the Node doesn’t seem to see anything coming over the Arc connection. I tried switching the cables in case that was the problem (though they’re both relatively high end hdmi cables) and turning everything off and on again, but no change at all.
One suspicious is that I bought the device used off eBay and I know it isn’t 100% because I plugged headphones into the headphone jack and there’s no sound out of the right channel. I didn’t think that was a big deal because I’m not going to use headphones with it, but maybe something about the hdmi connection is borked too. I’m tempted to just buy a new one and see if it works.
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Ignoring the Apple TV, can you get TV audio working?
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Hi, yes just tried the built-in Roku TV playing some YouTube and the same result.
Also I know the audio over Arc works on this TV because I previously used a SMSL PS100 with it, which worked fine (once I set the audio to PCM) but didn't sound very good so I sent it back.
I just ordered a new Node. If I can get it to work I'll just send the used one back. If I can't get it to work, I'll send them both back, get a Wiim Pro, connect with an optical cable and just deal with needing two remotes.
It'll be too bad because the Node is really the only thing in its price category that has all the features that I want, particularly an eArc input and a coaxial output (so I can use my own DAC if I want to upgrade later, though right now I'm going straight out from analog). Everything else that does that seems to be at least twice as expensive.
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Why not log a support ticket, using the BluOS App select Help… Send Support Request. Do this after selecting the HDMI input in the BluOS App and have some TV audio playing. At least this way you will know if the Node is faulty and make for an easier return.
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Hi, I did that yesterday, we'll see what they say. Thanks for your help!
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