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Hi. I have an LG C8 OLED TV and a Beam, connected Via HDMI Arc. I also have some Sony Bluetooth headphones. Whenever I try and play the TV audio via Bluetooth after 2 seconds it switches back to Arc. Is there anyway to prevent this? I have to pull the HDMI lead out of the Beam, but can it be disabled via the app or some other way? Thanks.

@106rallye There’s no way/no setting that I can find (and I’ve looked VERY hard) to turn off SimpLink (a.k.a., HDMI-CEC) on the most recent firmware from LG (which is 05.00.03). 

In the WebOS/LG TV firmware 5.00.03 you need to goto ‘Settings/Connection/HDMI Device Settings” - Simplink ON/OFF is the second option in the list.

IMHO the issue here is with WebOS/LG I think, as it should prompt to switch off ‘simplink’ whenever a user selects ‘another’ audio-out option.


@106rallye There’s no way/no setting that I can find (and I’ve looked VERY hard) to turn off SimpLink (a.k.a., HDMI-CEC) on the most recent firmware from LG (which is 05.00.03). I’m left with just one workaround (which itself is a kluge): unplugging either the Sonos Arc power cord or the HDMI cable to prevent the Sonos Arc from grabbing the sound output back from the sound output that I had selected/want to listen via (e.g., AirPods Pro).

This behavior doesn’t seem to be intended. An analogy might be wanting to watch CNN, but having the TV switch to FOX every time you choose CNN.

Others have said in this thread that other soundbars or external speaker systems do not have the same issue. Choose them via the TV, and the sound output comes from and remains from the selected output. Again the “choose this, but get that” behavior does not seem logical or particularly desirable.


@Bill H. Wow. And here I was explaining that:

  1. this is within HDMI-CEC spec for the TV (so Sonos can’t do anything about it); and
  2. there is a work around (turning HDMI-CEC off temporarily).

As I understand it it is your TV that by HDMI-CEC specification sends the sound to a speaker connected via HDMI-ARC. There’s no need to unplug anything.


Me too. Sonos needs to fix this.

Never had a problem CHOOSING the audio output that I wanted to use during a particular TV session (night=Airpods Pro; day=internal speaker) UNTIL I connected Sonos Arc via HDMI Arc port on LG OLED65C9. Now, when I CHOOSE AirPods Pro (connect via Bluetooth), the sound output switches to AirPods Pro for about two seconds, and then reverts to Sonos Arc via HDMI Arc port.  The same happens when I CHOOSE the LG’s internal speaker: the sound output switches to the LG’s internal speaker for about two seconds, and then reverts to Sonos Arc via HDMI Arc port.

Sonos Arc appears to be overriding my sound output selection. The wife is very aggravated (that I’m not using my AirPods Pro! The workaround (unplug the Sonos Arc or its HDMI cable) aggravates me!

Please fix!


HDMI-CEC is called Simplink with LG. I don not own an LG (and have another solution for my headphones - a Connect Gen 2), so I have no experience with this myself, It should be somewhere in de connectivity settings on your TV.


@Geniusiron @sridhg Have you tried turning off HDMI-CEC (Anynet, Bravia Link, Simplink) for the time you are using your headphone?

@mafm How is this answer disrespectful? Giving you an extra work around and stating the disadvantages of that seesm good practice to me. There are technical reasons for this, it's your TV (not Sonos) that does this, and as I understand it this is conform HDMI-CEC spec, so an industry standard. To me it seems Sonos is not the one to change this…..

I will happily try this. Any ideas how I do this on an LG? I’d read earlier on this thread that LG’s switch straight back when HDMI-CEC is turned off too. 
 

🤷🏼‍♂️


@Geniusiron @sridhg Have you tried turning off HDMI-CEC (Anynet, Bravia Link, Simplink) for the time you are using your headphone?

@mafm How is this answer disrespectful? Giving you an extra work around and stating the disadvantages of that seesm good practice to me. There are technical reasons for this, it's your TV (not Sonos) that does this, and as I understand it this is conform HDMI-CEC spec, so an industry standard. To me it seems Sonos is not the one to change this…..


Me too..

 

LG OLed CX

Sonos ARC

keeps switching back to arc when connecting to the Bluetooth..


Me too now..

CX OLED

Sonos BEAM

AirPods Pro.

Just kept switching back to eArc when trying to connect the AirPods.


Hi folks, thanks for reaching out with the Sonos Community! I understand that we all want to keep the Sonos Arc/Beam and headphones connected to our TV at the same time and that kind of behavior is based on your TV on how the HDMI connections work because you are connecting two output devices to your TV. As others suggested this is more and can be handled appropriately by the TV manufacturers. You can try optical for better options but it will still up to you on how to proceed. Just let us know if you need anything. We and the community are always here to help.


What an asinine and disrespectful reply from Sonos.

Yeah, just buy our soundbar/sub/surrounds then connect with optical "for better options" and lose Atmos capabilities.

Sure, great advice!


Unfortunately got the same issue with a Sonos Beam setup and bluetooth headphones. Switching off HDMI-CEC seems like a work-around, but it still extremely annoying this doesn’t work otherwise.


New AirPod pros. 
 

lg65 lied & beam

 

disappointing. Disabling the CEC disables my harmony remote functions

 

SONOS!!


it is my turn now….. …...Sonos Arc with Samsung TV UA-50KU6000

Im not a technical person. Stumbled upon this thread while I am searching on how to connect my  wired headphone to my TV without without affecting my sonos arc setup.

 


Add me to the list.  New LG OLED CX with Sonos Arc/AirPod Pros.  Same issue as everybody else.  Had to unplug the HDMI cable so I don’t wake the wife up

 

Very surprising Sonos is having this issue for as much as I paid for my set up


I agree.  Sonos app should be updated to fix this issue!!  Come on, Sonos.  Get with the program. ; )


Hi folks, thanks for reaching out with the Sonos Community! I understand that we all want to keep the Sonos Arc/Beam and headphones connected to our TV at the same time and that kind of behavior is based on your TV on how the HDMI connections work because you are connecting two output devices to your TV. As others suggested this is more and can be handled appropriately by the TV manufacturers. You can try optical for better options but it will still up to you on how to proceed. Just let us know if you need anything. We and the community are always here to help.

 

Hi, going through the post you can read that many folks have the problem only with Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc solutions. (This is the case for me as well, LG C9 + Sonos Arc). It works well with other HDMI-ARC connected audio devices (as mentioned in the posts several times).

 

So this clearly seems to be a problem in the Sonos system. Please do not throw the ball to the TV manufactures. I strongly doubt that Samsung, LG, Sony and others are to blame here.

 

Btw. this does have nothing todo with Bluetooth, it does not matter which output you choose on your TV (at least for me), the Sonos (HDMI connected) Soundbar will always take over after a second or so.

This is exactly what I wanted to write. HDMI ARC connection in my LG TV worked well with a JBL bar and Sony headphones in my case. 
Really Sonos? Is blaming the others the right way to solve the problems in your understanding? Disappointing...


Hi folks, thanks for reaching out with the Sonos Community! I understand that we all want to keep the Sonos Arc/Beam and headphones connected to our TV at the same time and that kind of behavior is based on your TV on how the HDMI connections work because you are connecting two output devices to your TV. As others suggested this is more and can be handled appropriately by the TV manufacturers. You can try optical for better options but it will still up to you on how to proceed. Just let us know if you need anything. We and the community are always here to help.

 

Hi, going through the post you can read that many folks have the problem only with Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc solutions. (This is the case for me as well, LG C9 + Sonos Arc). It works well with other HDMI-ARC connected audio devices (as mentioned in the posts several times).

 

So this clearly seems to be a problem in the Sonos system. Please do not throw the ball to the TV manufactures. I strongly doubt that Samsung, LG, Sony and others are to blame here.

 

Btw. this does have nothing todo with Bluetooth, it does not matter which output you choose on your TV (at least for me), the Sonos (HDMI connected) Soundbar will always take over after a second or so.


Hey, new to the forum. Recently purchased the Sonos Arc and ran into the same issue with my LG OLED C9 77 inch tv, with the HDMI Arc input being the only audio input I could play while using my sound bar unless I unplug the power cord or the HDMI cable. If I try using any other input it goes back to the HDMI Arc input immediately. One work around use could do is purchase an HDMI splitter. I listed the link below: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079JQ9XXV/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_xM-XFbTJ3V16Z?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

You'll be able to select the input you wanna use while leaving the HDMI cable in both the sound bar and tv as long as you select the splitter to the opposite input so it's not conflicting with your tv/sound bar. I hope this helps. 

 

 


Hi folks, thanks for reaching out with the Sonos Community! I understand that we all want to keep the Sonos Arc/Beam and headphones connected to our TV at the same time and that kind of behavior is based on your TV on how the HDMI connections work because you are connecting two output devices to your TV. As others suggested this is more and can be handled appropriately by the TV manufacturers. You can try optical for better options but it will still up to you on how to proceed. Just let us know if you need anything. We and the community are always here to help.


I have noticed the same issue with an LG C9 and Sonos ARC. I have an old pair of Sony rf wireless headphones connected to the headphone jack. When I switch to the headphone option they work fine, but when I try to connect my new Bluetooth headphones the tv switches back to eARC after a couple of seconds. Really frustrating. Seems strange its just the Bluetooth connection that is is affected, but looks like I will be sticking with the old headphones. Its a shame Sonos cannot fix this as I never had the same issue with my old soundbar. 


Now me ☹️

Sonos Arc and LG OLED.


As I understand the other threads about this, the behaviour is confirming to HDMI-CEC standards. There’s nothing to fix. Certainly not by Sonos.

If this is a HDMI-CEC standard issue millions of people should have the same issue with other sound systems for years. This standard is over 10 years old. I highly doubt this is the case and there’s nothing Sonos could do about it.


As I understand the other threads about this, the behaviour is confirming to HDMI-CEC standards. There’s nothing to fix. Certainly not by Sonos.


Same here. Sonos AMP hooked up with HDMI to Sony 9305. It is ridiculous Sonos not prioritizing this issue.


I bought an Alexa enabled plug. I say “Alexa turn Arc off.” It powers down. The  Bluetooth sticks because the Arc power is off. Just have to turn back on in am.