2017-03-23, 09:29
(2017-03-22, 12:18)noggin Wrote: Yes - ARC is an option - but it can only carry SPDIF (i.e. DVD-quality) audio - it maxes out at PCM 2.0/DD (and in some, but not all, cases DTS). You won't get Dolby True HD, DTS HD MA/HRA or PCM multichannel audio over ARC. If that's not an issue - it's a very good solution. However as the OP has an AVR with HDMI - I suspect this may be an issue for them?You're correct that HDMI 1.4/1.4a/1.4b (FHD TV's) seem to have a poor mans 'SPDIFF styled' ARC output in many instances.
Unfortunately the real technical specs for HDMI seem to be behind paywalls last i looked so it's impossible for technically knowledgable purchasers to look at the theoretical capabilities as defined in a standard.
This then means it's impossible to know if there is some standards issue for all manufacturers, or an implementation issue by some manufacturers when things don't work as expected.
Needles to say not all TV's behave the same w.r.t. ARC as you stated so i'd speculate it's an implementation issue.
And being that manufacturers product specs are likely written by sales people these days, it's difficult finding out what the actual TV's capabilities are (by reading those manufactures glossy 'specs').
Sadly, the problem is compounded as the manufacturers support staff are usually script readers and likewise offer little enlightenment.
However there is hope as i was under the impression that such ARC limitations were going to be addresses with UHD TV's.
Google tells me eARC can handle these new object based audio formats but it's only available on HDMI 2.1 and not on HDMI 2.0/2.0b
Presumably this new eARC implementation will finally allow the bitstreaming of recieved HDMI audio over eARC (and manufactureras actually implement it correctly).
But i'm not sure if todays newest available UHD TV's are HDMI 2.1 complient?
Since the OP hasn't bought anything as yet, it's something for him to follow up before he spends $$$ on his new UHD TV.
If i were buying a new UHD TV, i'd be wanting details from the manufacturer and assurances from the seller that bitstreaming of HDMI audio is possible over ARC/eARC before i layed down any of my hard earned cash.
And if it turns out not to be the case post sale, i'd return the TV or the seller/manufacturer would assist in resolving the deficiency with a new HDMI 2.0b/2.1 AMP (free or heavily discounted).
(Fact is, that in my jurisdiction, it's part of the consumer law that something must be fit for purpose and as described or it's our rights to return it even without packaging.)
Sometimes playing dumb and stating expectations to the seller can be helpful and better than simply bending over for the industry and buying another 'upgrade'.
Guess what i'm saying is people should stop accepting workarounds and simply vote with their $$ and not buy sub standard products or push back in some other way.
Yes, it sounds less than honorable but if your clear about your expectations and your sold a dud, who's behaving badly, the buyer, or the seller?
The NUC solution sounds interesting so i'm curious to hear how it works and also interested to know what is meant by 'dual output can be funky'
Also i've read that there have been some issues with Kaby Lake/Apollo Lake, possibly with HDMI output though i can't remember any details or whether Intel resolved such issues with updated firmware.
So i wonder if testing Sky Lake will be representative of how KL or AL might work if indeed there are HDMI ssues?
[edited to add following]
Guess the OP knows his buget and whether he can actually hear a difference in audio quality between DTS core and DTS HD for example.
Me, i've got old ears and simple prefer to see the audio type displayed on my AMP - hearing wise i doubt i can discern the difference
But if it was choosing a new UHD TV and then looking at buying the lastest NUC or updating my AMP as a workaround to my UHD/audio issues, i'd test the ARC route with a known movie and hear how it pans out
I'd go as far as taking a laptop and HDMI cable to the store before purchase and connect it to the TV, test ARC then to AMP test comparing audo quality.... After all one can only read so many specs and reviews
[further edited to add following]
Seems there is more to it than simply stating HDMI ARC = SPDIF as some pre HDMI 2.1 UHD TV's pass DD+ (which can encapsulate ATMOS audio) over ARC.
But reading the Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) / Atmos over HDMI ARC AVSForum thread late at night does my head in
This AVSForum thread does have some interesting information, including a list of TV's and AVR's that support DD+/Dolby ATMOS over HDMI ARC
And it's also mentioned that HDMI 2.1 TVs supports eARC which seems to be carried over HDMI ethernet so required more updates - thanks manufacturers.
Guess the writing was always on the wall when manufacturers bandied together and decided encrypted audio and video couldn't be handled via simple cheap ethernet cables.
We consumers suposedly needed this new expensive HDMI cable standard with lots of variants and optional features, and losts of equipment upgrades along the way
Hmm, VHS and SCART connectors seemed so simple in comparison