Answered

Sonos Arc, Apple TV 4K and eARC setting on LG OLED C3

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
August 5, 2023
85 replies
40189 views

I just bought a new Sonos Arc and LG 65OLED65AUA tv. Everything seems OK but I am having problems with sound from my Apple TV 4K (latest version). I only get sound when Dolby Atmos content is played, no sound with Dolby 5.1, HD, etc. I spent and hour with Sonos phone support yesterday. We were unable to find a solution. I tried different settings on the Apple TV and LG tv. Today I turned off the eARC setting on the LG tv and now all is working. I think with eARC there is more information transferred with ARC and there might be a slight difference in sound with Dolby Atmos. The eARC was turned on automatically when I installed the Sonos Arc on the LG tv. Just curious why the eARC setting seems to fix the problem. Thanks.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Best answer by GuitarSuperstar

Set the TV to these settings:

HDMI Input Audio Format: Bitstream

Digital Sound Output: Pass Through

eARC Support: On

Set the Apple TV audio settings to this:

Change Format: Off

Dolby Atmos: On

Then do this:

Disconnect everything from the TV and unplug the Arc, Apple TV, and TV from power for a couple of minutes. Plug everything back in but keep everything disconnected. Make sure Simplink is enabled in the TV settings. Run TV Setup in the Sonos app and follow the app instructions. When the app instructs you, connect the Arc to the TV’s HDMI eARC port using the Sonos-supplied HDMI cable. After the Arc has been successfully connected, connect the Apple TV to the TV.

Show previous replies

J

Juno8

Lyricist III

It’s extremely disappointing that Sonos is unwilling to define the technical issue. And I say this being fully aware that the issue may be with LG version of eARC or with the AppleTV. Even if the issue is with LG or Apple… and not fixable by Sonos… I cannot believe that they are unable to find out what the actual issue is.

G

GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

I have struggled with this very problem for six months. My set up is an Apple TV latest version, cable box, as the only inputs other than the Arc plugged into the Earc input. my TV is OLED 65 G2. Other than the current version of the Apple TV… Every other Apple TV works properly with Earc.

LG has replaced the motherboard and power supply twice.

I have followed GuitarSuperstar advice a dozen times.

There is nothing that will work around the Earc issue.

If you leave the cable box disconnected, do you have the same issue?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

J

Juno8

Lyricist III

If the ATV is the only input, the issue does not occur. if the cable box is the only input, the issue does not occur. if both the cable box and the ATV are plugged into the input, the issue only occurs on the ATV.

G

GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

If the ATV is the only input, the issue does not occur. if the cable box is the only input, the issue does not occur. if both the cable box and the ATV are plugged into the input, the issue only occurs on the ATV.

The cable box might be causing CEC interference. Have you tried disabling the CEC setting on the cable box?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

R

rmartin7Author

I tried using the Apple TV 3rd generation with my Amino set top box and my Roku Ultra. Both times I had audio problems with only one extra device attached. No problems with Apple TV alone. I tried to disable the CEC (SIMPLINK) but the LG TV immediately switched to CEC on. The set top box did not have a way to disable CEC. Does the Sonos Arc require CEC to be on? Anyway it would be very inconvenient if I could not control all of my devices with the tv remote.

I am back with my Apple TV 2nd generation and no problems.

buzz

Grand Maestro

CEC can be a mess because there is no exact industry standard with respect to how multiple devices should interact. Sometimes the best workaround is using a CEC blocker on one or more devices. Disabling CEC in a device setup does not always workout because this may also disable features such as advanced audio.

J

Juno8

Lyricist III

I have tried disabling CEC on the TV itself. At first this allows the ATV and the cable box to operate properly while going back-and-forth between the two. But fairly soon it reverts to the issue with the ATV. however the pass through setting never works, it must be set to Auto.

Bottom line: Reverting back to using ATV second generation is the only thing that works.

This leads me to my conclusion that it is the ATV third generation that is the source of the issue.

J

Juno8

Lyricist III

Having said that… I still believe Sonos should troubleshoot this and find the source of the conflict with ATV 3rd Gen

R

rmartin7Author

I ordered the Lindy CEC less HDMI adapter. I inserted it on the HDMI cable for the Apple TV. It did not solve the problem and I am back to using the 2nd generation Apple TV 4K instead of the 3rd generation. I am not sure that the CEC less adapter did what it was supposed to do as I could control my Apple TV with the LG remote with the adapter inserted.

J

Juno8

Lyricist III

I am not surprised at your result. There is a definite conflict between Sonos and Apple TV third generation. What I do not understand is why doesn’t Sonos identify the conflict. Even if the conflict points to Apple… The fact remains is the Sonos Arc is not functional with The Apple TV third generation. Is that OK with Sonos that their system doesn’t function with an apple product that thousands of people own?

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community