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Contributor I
May 18, 2026
Answered

Arc Ultra Connections

I have a sound issue that originates with my Panasonic UB 820-K blu-ray player.  It is dropping audio during playback and the fix is to use the dual hdmi outputs from the blu-ray.  One video hdmi out to the my TCL QM8L tv, and one audio hdmi out to the Sonos soundbar.

 

Well the Sonos Arc Ultra only has one earc hdmi input.  How do I run a non-earc audio hdmi from my blu-ray player to the Arc Ultra?

 

Thx

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Stanley_4
Stanley_4Answer
Grand Maestro
May 18, 2026

The TV has eARC but only on HDMI 1

https://us.tcl.com/products/tcl-85-qm8l-series-sqd-mini-led-4k-uhd-hdr-smart-tv-with-google-tv-85qm8l

4x HDMI 2.1 (4K@144HZ) HDMI1 with eARC

 

Connect the Arc Ultra to HDMI 1 using a cable that supports eARC, that should have everything working. If the player still has issues maybe check to see if their support has anything.

16 replies

buzz
Grand Maestro
May 18, 2026

Normally one would connect the DVD player to the TV and the TV’s HDMI-eARC connector to the ULTRA. As a quick test, disconnect the TV’s other HDMI input cables while watching a DVD.

Stanley_4
Grand Maestro
May 18, 2026

Have you considered looking into why the TV is having issues passing the audio?

Aside from a HDMI video to eARC converter I don't think you can do a direct connect.

KABinAuthor
Contributor I
May 18, 2026

Hi Buzz, thx.  It is currently plugged in as you suggest.   The Panasonic has two HDMI outs as well.  One can be used for combo video/audio, or you can separate them, one HDMI for audio, and one HDMI for video.  To correct the issue I am having with the Panasonic 820-k dropping audio, it is recommended to split the outputs, and run the video HDMI to the TV, and run the audio HDMI to my sound source which is the SONOS Arc Ultra.   The arc Ultra only has one input which is eArc only which presents an issue.  

Is there a HDMI splitter or extractor that can be used to accomplish this?   

buzz
Grand Maestro
May 18, 2026

Is the disc player the only input to the TV?

KABinAuthor
Contributor I
May 18, 2026

Stanley, thx.   to answer your question, no, I did not search the issue related to the TCL QM8L.  It is a known issue with the Panasonic line of blu-ray players that have the dual HDMI out options.  Even their models over $1,000.00.

KABinAuthor
Contributor I
May 18, 2026

Buzz, thx.  No.  The TV has 4, 2.1 HDMI inputs.   I have the SONOS system on the eArc / Arc, DirectTV Stream, and the Panasonic UB 820-K all connected to the tv through HDMI.

106rallye
May 18, 2026

Unless the Panasonic doe HDMI-(e)ARC it won’t work tot connect it the Arc Ultra.

buzz
Grand Maestro
May 18, 2026

As a test, disconnect the DTV while playing a disc.

MoPac
Headliner III
May 18, 2026

Can you use the Main HDMI port on the UB 820-K for both video & audio.  Connect that to the TV and the Arc Ultra to the TV eARC port on the TV.

Stanley_4
Stanley_4Answer
Grand Maestro
May 18, 2026

The TV has eARC but only on HDMI 1

https://us.tcl.com/products/tcl-85-qm8l-series-sqd-mini-led-4k-uhd-hdr-smart-tv-with-google-tv-85qm8l

4x HDMI 2.1 (4K@144HZ) HDMI1 with eARC

 

Connect the Arc Ultra to HDMI 1 using a cable that supports eARC, that should have everything working. If the player still has issues maybe check to see if their support has anything.