TV connection gives SPDIFF instead of HDMI

SPDIF is an optical format. ARC is an electrical format, carried by HDMI cables from an ARC or eARC port on your TV. The ARC or eARC signal comes from a set of chips inside your TV (the CEC system).

This is a good plan when attempting to resolve issues between a TV and soundbar. When the HDMI cable is connected, the units will negotiate, searching for a common protocol. 
 

I recommend waiting for at least two minutes before powering up because some TV’s will not have reset after only one minute. I also recommend waiting for a minute or two after powering up before making the HDMI connection, then allow another minute two while the units negotiate.

We have seen this error in the past, some have fussed with things to get it corrected, some have ignored it until it corrected it's self. Don't recall seeing it forwarded to support so they may be unaware of it.