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Contributor I
June 25, 2025

An input switch 2 in 1 out that works with sonos ARC

I have an older CD player.  I can successfully connect it to my soundbar via a converter and an HDMI cable. .  I use the same soundbar for my TV, again with an HDMI connection.  I really REALLY dislike the hassle involved in plugging ang unplugging cables when I want to change for TV to CD player.  I am hoping someone can offer some advice, based on their own experience with this issue.

 

Thank you

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22 replies

Airgetlam
June 25, 2025

Odd, I see absolutely no reason why this system, which doesn’t appear to convert a signal from RCA to ARC, should work, when plugged directly into the Sonos Arc. It would make more sense to me if the HDMI input from this device were plugged in to the TV set, and then the Sonos Arc was plugged in to the TV’s ARC port.

I’m delighted it’s functioning for you, it certainly is significantly less expensive than a typical eARC generating device, such as the ones I mentioned. However, as it’s working for you, ​@jgatie is absolutely correct, any HDMI switches available should work, as long as they pass ARC content, which is how your TV communicates with the Sonos Arc with any content from a HDMI input. 
 

Bruce
AjTrek1
June 26, 2025

I’m curious to know what TV model and that of the CD player. For future reference (not just for this forum) it is always helpful to describe the equipment involved. For example:

  • TV = LG C5 model LGXXXXXX
  • CD player = Sony ES Model XXXXXX
Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
MacnooderAuthor
Contributor I
June 26, 2025

Airgetian

 

I tried three of the many switches available from Amazon. One from an unknown Chinese brand, one from Anker (also make in China) and one at the link below (copy and paste in browser, if interested) ,  This was a more complex unit, which looked promising, but didn't work for me. It came with an unreadable manual: a web search for more information was not helpful.  I think that if I had been able to configure the device it MAY have done the job.-insturctions (such as they were) hinted at that. However, I was unable to reconfigure, possibly because the device was defective,  (No way of knowing)

4K@60Hz HDMI Matrix Switch 4X2 with ARC, avedio links 4 in 2 Out Matrix HDMI Video Switcher Splitter + Optical & 3.5mm Stereo Audio, Scaler 4K 1080P Synch, HDM I Audio Extractor with IR Remote Control.

 

All three devices passed the output from my CD player to my ARC soundbar.  All three devices did NOT pass the audio portion of my TV set to my sound bar.  

 

Doc

 

buzz
Grand Maestro
June 26, 2025

It seems like the devices transfer regular HDMI audio to the e-ARC audio output pins, but ignore e-ARC input to the switch.

AjTrek1
June 26, 2025

​@Macnooder 

I asked for the model info for your TV and CD player in a previous post. Are you unable to provide that information?

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
MacnooderAuthor
Contributor I
June 26, 2025

Ajtrek

 

 

My TV is a 3 year old LG smart TV

My DVD player is a 20+ year old Onyko

 

Finding exact model numbers is a chore involving shifting furniture and scrounging around in cabinets.  If you will tell me what use this information is to you, and (more importantly) how it relates to my problem, I will happily dig it up for you.

 

Doc

 

 

 

 

AjTrek1
June 26, 2025

Ajtrek

 

 

My TV is a 3 year old LG smart TV

My DVD player is a 20+ year old Onyko

 

Finding exact model numbers is a chore involving shifting furniture and scrounging around in cabinets.  If you will tell me what use this information is to you, and (more importantly) how it relates to my problem, I will happily dig it up for you.

 

Doc

 

 

 

 

Just a possibility….not guaranteed and it may cost you very little or nothing 

  • If you TV has an RCA input or Optical in-put 
  • If your DVD/CD player has RCA or Optical Out-put

You may be able to connect one of the DVD/CD player out-puts to the corresponding input on your TV. Then using your TV’s remote select that output when you want to use your DVD/CD player for music. The audio should play through Arc via it’s HDMI connection to your TV. No switch required.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
MacnooderAuthor
Contributor I
June 26, 2025

You wrote”

 

ust a possibility….not guaranteed and it may cost you very little or nothing 

  • If you TV has an RCA input or Optical in-put 
  • If your DVD/CD player has RCA or Optical Out-put

You may be able to connect one of the DVD/CD player out-puts to the corresponding input on your TV. Then using your TV’s remote select that output when you want to use your DVD/CD player for music. The audio should play through Arc via it’s HDMI connection to your TV. No switch required.

 

I did try sending the CD player’s HDMI output to an HDMI input on the TV, but the TV just gave me the message “no signal”.  My TV has only HDMI and USB inputs

AjTrek1
June 26, 2025

You wrote”

 

ust a possibility….not guaranteed and it may cost you very little or nothing 

  • If you TV has an RCA input or Optical in-put 
  • If your DVD/CD player has RCA or Optical Out-put

You may be able to connect one of the DVD/CD player out-puts to the corresponding input on your TV. Then using your TV’s remote select that output when you want to use your DVD/CD player for music. The audio should play through Arc via it’s HDMI connection to your TV. No switch required.

 

I did try sending the CD player’s HDMI output to an HDMI input on the TV, but the TV just gave me the message “no signal”.  My TV has only HDMI and USB inputs

OK…

  • Was the CD player turned on and playing?
  • Did you (using your TV remote) select the HDMI input for the CD player?
  • Did you check the HDMI connection between the TV and the Arc (there should have been no switch involved)?

All the above should be answered as “yes”. If not correct the offending requirement. If still no luck then there’s something else afoot.

BTW….when replying and you want to include the previous reply..just click the  “ Quote option and the previous information will be copied for you. Then just type your response.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
MacnooderAuthor
Contributor I
June 26, 2025

AjTreck1

OK…

  • Was the CD player turned on and playing?
  • Did you (using your TV remote) select the HDMI input for the CD player?
  • Did you check the HDMI connection between the TV and the Arc (there should have been no switch involved)?

All the above should be answered as “yes”. If not correct the offending requirement. If still no luck then there’s something else afoot.

 

Duh