(2020-01-03, 13:04)noggin Wrote: That's not how ARC and eARC work. They don't send the audio in the same way as HDMI sources do, so connecting the eARC input from your TV into an HDMI input on your AVR (rather than an ARC-capable HDMI output) won't work. (You are connecting two inputs together)
HDMI sources send the audio within the video stream, on the video data pins - using the spaces in horizontal and vertical blanking around the video to carry audio packets. ARC and eARC use separate pins to carry audio in the reverse direction. ARC and eARC inputs on TVs are 'special' as they send TV audio back down the cable 'the wrong way' using a separate audio standard and channel specifically for reverse audio carriage (i.e. they are HDMI inputs BUT TV Audio outputs). eARC and ARC outputs on AVRs are similarly 'special' as they are HDMI Video (and in some cases Audio) outputs BUT ARC/eARC audio inputs as well to accept ARC/eARC audio from the TV.
Prior to reading your response, I went home that day and tried it. Yup, exactly as you said... that's not how eARC and ARC work, thus I receive no audio at all.
(2020-01-03, 13:04)noggin Wrote: The only way you'll get HD Audio from your N2 is :
1. Connect it to an HDMI input on your AVR and watch the N2 via the AVR. (However if your AVR doesn't support HDMI 2.0 you'll be limited to HDMI 1.4 video - so no 2160p50/60, no HDR I think etc.)
My AVR is HDMI 2.0 (4K), however, it's not HDMI 2.0a/b (HDR)... so if I go this route, I can’t play any HDR content. When I tried, I got a blue screen. Although, the AVR did play the audio and it showed the correct, ‘red Dobly TrueHD’ icon. That's why I connected the N2 directly to my TV instead of an AVR input. This way, I can play HDR content and only take a bit of a hit on the audio. Still sounds great, but HD Audio plays as Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC3). Not sure why. I assume it’s a limitation of ARC on the AVR, as my TV is eARC (HDMI 2.1).
(2020-01-03, 13:04)noggin Wrote: 2. Replace your AVR with one that supports eARC
That’s my plan. I believe eARC is HDMI 2.1 and there are no AVRs with HDMI 2.1, yet. AVSForum anticipates something this year. No sense upgrading my AVR now when this technology is right around the corner. Might as well hold out until it’s released. Hopefully, HDMI 2.1 AVRs won’t cost and arm and a leg!
(2020-01-03, 13:04)noggin Wrote: 3. Invest in an HD Audio extractor (these are non-trivial and not as cheap as SPDIF audio extractors) which will have an HDMI 2.0 input for your N2, and an HDMI 2.0 output for your TV and and HDMI 1.4 output that carries video (black or downscaled HD) and HD Audio to feed your AVR. (HD Fury make one, but there are cheaper ones I suspect)
I’m still a bit confused on how this will help me. My AVR is already HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. I guess I need clarification on the physical connections to understand the big picture of how it works. I still don’t see how I can get HDR and HD audio to work if my AVR is not HDMI 2.0a/b.
4GB ODROID N2 64GB eMMC, Asus i3 Chromebox 128GB, Nvidia Shield TV Pro, Wetek Hub, AFTV
CoreELEC Nightly, LibreELEC 9.2, Kodi 20.2
LG 65" OLED C9 and Integra DRX 3.4 w/ Dirac Live Atmos 5.1.2