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Firestick 4K and Sonos Arc both require an eArc HDMI port, only have 1

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Hello,

My Arc will be delivered tomorrow. I have a question about connectivity in conjunction with the 4k Firestick.

In order for the 4k feature to work the Amazon Firestick must be connected to an Arc/eArc HDMI port. I’ve confirmed this is the case, no 4k on any of the other 4 HDMI ports on my TV (Vizio M75-C1) using the 4k Firestick. My TV has only 1 arc/earc HDMI port.

The SONOS Arc also requires the arc/eArc HDMI port for full functionality. What do I lose if I use the optical-out option? Are there any other connection options.

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AirgetlamAnswer

Using optical, you would lose any CEC functionality, and be restricted to Dolby Digital 5.1 as the maximum codec. So no Atmos.

Bruce

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M

MythicbeastAuthor

Avid Contributor II

Something I’ve learned the hard way over the years is if you are mostly unfamiliar with a technology and encounter a “it doesn’t work” problem it’s down to operator error 99.99% of the time.

Continued to dig around and finally determined that the HDMI port labeled in yellow is the 60Hz port, not HDMI Arc. 🤬 60Hz is HDMI 5. Arc is HDMI 1. So, I can plug the Firestick into HDMI 5 and enjoy 4K video, the Sonos Arc into HDMI 1 and get…Dolby 5.1. No Atmos. But at least I get sound. I’ll keep picking at the issue, see what comes up.

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M

MythicbeastAuthor

Avid Contributor II

Not quite sure you are right about eARC and 4k being on the same port, the reason you state for not being able to connect the Firestick correctly. Reading the manual (https://cdn.vizio.com/documents/m75c1/qsg-m75c1.pdf) there’s no mention of eARC, but all HDMI ports seem to be 4k capable (either 30 or 60 fps).

I agree with @106rallye - why would a FireStick 4K require its own ‘audio return channel’ or ‘enhanced audio return channel’? - that does not make any sense.

I have a Fire TV 4K and my TV (LG C9 OLED) - like every other TV I’ve seen - has one ARC/eARC port only and that’s used by the Sonos Arc (Receiver of the returned-audio) from the playing TV source - the FireTV 4K works just fine connected to the straightforward HDMI-3 port.. I get full functionality from the Amazon product. (Display settings from my Fire TV 4K attached)

You’ll note in my most recent post I was mis-identifying ports. Also, my Display Settings for my Fire TV match your pic. But, if I push the input button on my TV remote the resolution displayed is 1080p unless I’m using the 60Hz HDMI port, in which case the resolution displayed is 2160p.

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Ken_Griffiths

Something I’ve learned the hard way over the years is if you are mostly unfamiliar with a technology and encounter a “it doesn’t work” problem it’s down to operator error 99.99% of the time.

Continued to dig around and finally determined that the HDMI port labeled in yellow is the 60Hz port, not HDMI Arc. 🤬 60Hz is HDMI 5. Arc is HDMI 1. So, I can plug the Firestick into HDMI 5 and enjoy 4K video, the Sonos Arc into HDMI 1 and get…Dolby 5.1. No Atmos. But at least I get sound. I’ll keep picking at the issue, see what comes up.

As the TV is HDMI-ARC only, despite its support for the compressed audio codec DD+. I would not expect to get Atmos audio on the TV - not all TV’s without (enhanced) eARC tend to support Atmos compressed audio, even though the codec/hardware are technically capable - in my own experience most TV’s with ARC don’t support Atmos but those with eARC often will. I would be happy with DD 5.1 anyway, but if wanting Atmos you could always add an audio extractor to the setup to provide Atmos audio using one of these…

HDFury Arcana

https://www.hdfury.uk/product/hdfury-arcana/

Feintech VAX04101

https://feintech.eu/en/collections/hdmi-topseller/products/feintech-vax04101-hdmi-earc-pass-switch-4x1-for-soundbar

OREI HDA-931 or OREI HDA-935

https://www.orei.com/products/dual-hdmi-earc-audio-extractor-converter-4k-60hz-18g-hdmi-2-0-arc-support-hda-931

https://www.orei.com/products/dual-hdmi-earc-audio-extractor-4k-60hz-with-optical-port-3-5mm-jack-18gbps-bandwidth-hda-935

Ezcoo

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Splitter-Soundbar-Bi-direction-Breakout-HDCP2-2/dp/B0BBZGPT6F

The above are just some examples and you may find other similar audio extractors that now support Atmos too in various online outlets, like Amazon etc.

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M

MythicbeastAuthor

Avid Contributor II

Thanks Ken, I’ll not invest anymore time in this. DD 5.1 is good, I can back burner the OLED for now.

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Ken_Griffiths

Thanks Ken, I’ll not invest anymore time in this. DD 5.1 is good, I can back burner the OLED for now.

Yes, that’s likely what I would choose to do too.👍

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melvimbe

This is the dilemma. Despite tech companies talking about future proofing their equipment, generally (with the honourable exception of Sonos) this is not possible. No-one can foretell the tech innovations of 5 years hence, and as Airgetlam says, you make your decisions based on your needs at the time. I remember buying some tech some time ago, with a feature I thought might be useful in the future (which obviously added to the cost), which I never used.

This is why a component based approach is often the best way to go, rather than an all in one device. Buy devices that do one thing really well rather than doing lots of things, sometimes mediocre. When new tech comes out for an improved function, you can replace just the component with that function, rather than an all in one device that still does others things well, except for that one function.

So you get your TV for the video quality without concern for it’s audio processing, your speaker system for the audio quality without concern for it’s video processing, whatever source you want, and one of the devices Ken listed for it’s ability to send audio and video to the right place.

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Danny

M

MythicbeastAuthor

Avid Contributor II

Speaking of component based, I have a system for sale.

Yamaha RX-A1030, Ascend L/R, center and surrounds, Boston sub.

Been a component guy since forever but we are reworking the entertainment space and I just don’t want to hassle with all the re-wiring with the associated hole cutting and patching, painting etc. Not to mention my hearing ain’t what it used to be!

I’m really pleased with the Arc, gen1 sub and Sonos one surrounds for the TV. Not to mention music sounds great as well. Bonus is simplicity of use for others in the family that are even more technically challenged than me. No more “honey the system has no sound”, or “honey I can’t get a picture”.

Moving ever forward…

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