ARC issue - sound flips on and off (LG 47LM620T-ZE TV and Pioneer VSX-321-k-p amp)

Ericthelobster · 03-03-2013, 16:32

I am trying to get ARC working properly on my recently acquired kit - a Pioneer VSX-321-k-p AV receiver amp and an LG 47LM620T-ZE TV. I want to be able to send sound from the TV (broadcast or internet-content, eg Netflix) down the HDMI cable to the sound system.

Both devices support ARC. Sometimes it works OK, however it's very unreliable and often what happens is that the sound works fine for about 10 secs, then goes off for another ~10 secs; then the process is repeated another 4 or 5 times after which the TV appears just to give up, and it switches on its own internal speaker and plays the sound through that instead (ugh).

Any ideas what might cause this? It's clearly not a loose connection or anything like that as it's so regular. I did wonder about the HDMI cable specs; the one I'm using is a Cablesson High Speed one from Amazon, which should be OK?

Any advice much appreciated.

Nigel Goodwin · 03-03-2013, 18:15

Most HDMI problems are software related - have you checked your TV has the latest version available? - you might also check the Pioneer, if it's upgradable?.

chrisjr · 03-03-2013, 18:33

Not sure exactly how important it is but was the cable HDMI ver 1.4 compatible? There is a chance that a cable designed for the previous spec might not fully support ARC. Though if that were the case I would be inclined to think ARC would not work at all.

soulboy77 · 03-03-2013, 19:09

The manual doesn't tell you but you need to have the Simplink (LG's version of HDMI control) turned on for ARC to work properly.

Ericthelobster · 03-03-2013, 19:48

Thanks for the replies - much appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Most HDMI problems are software related - have you checked your TV has the latest version available? - you might also check the Pioneer, if it's upgradable?.

Yes, the TV's fully up-to-date; the amp isn't internet-enabled and there's no way of upgrading its firmware that I'm aware of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulboy77

Tyou need to have the Simplink (LG's version of HDMI control) turned on for ARC to work properly.

Yes, Simplink's definitely switched on on the TV, and is working fine other than this ARC issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

Not sure exactly how important it is but was the cable HDMI ver 1.4 compatible?

Yes, I've got this one, which does claim to be 1.4 - in fact I've got two of these cables (ie the same type) and the symptoms are the same with both.

Any more ideas, please?!

chrisjr · 03-03-2013, 20:16

The fact you've used two cables does tend to rule out a cable fault (unless there is an inherent design fault in the cable). Which leaves the kit on either end of the cable.

I've had a read of the Pioneer manual on line and I notice that in the section about ARC even they admit it might not work properly! It does seem to be suggesting that it doesn't like CEC being turned on (ie Simplink on the LG). If the LG needs Simplink on to enable ARC then that does seem to present a problem if true.

It's looking like you may have to follow Pioneer's advise and turn off ARC and use an optical digital cable between the two.

soulboy77 · 04-03-2013, 11:17

Looking at other forums the ARC issue does seem to be a common problem with Pioneer VSX amps.

Nigel Goodwin · 04-03-2013, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulboy77

Looking at other forums the ARC issue does seem to be a common problem with Pioneer VSX amps.

In which case you'd think Pioneer would produce a software update for them - even if it requires them to replace an IC in the unit.

Ericthelobster · 04-03-2013, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

It's looking like you may have to follow Pioneer's advise and turn off ARC and use an optical digital cable between the two.

Never having tried this before, I've just provided myself with and fitted an optical cable, and the system is working fine; so thanks very much for steering me in the right direction.

Not as neat a solution as ARC, owing to the other benefits of that system, but at least I'm up and running now. And I won't be in a hurry to buy Pioneer again, either

JulesandSand · 08-03-2013, 16:54

I eventually got rid of my Pioneer VSX AW41M due to HDMI problems when I got my 3D TV and BluRay player that I was unable to solve,

03-03-2013, 16:32	#1
Ericthelobster Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 44	ARC issue - sound flips on and off (LG 47LM620T-ZE TV and Pioneer VSX-321-k-p amp) I am trying to get ARC working properly on my recently acquired kit - a Pioneer VSX-321-k-p AV receiver amp and an LG 47LM620T-ZE TV. I want to be able to send sound from the TV (broadcast or internet-content, eg Netflix) down the HDMI cable to the sound system. Both devices support ARC. Sometimes it works OK, however it's very unreliable and often what happens is that the sound works fine for about 10 secs, then goes off for another ~10 secs; then the process is repeated another 4 or 5 times after which the TV appears just to give up, and it switches on its own internal speaker and plays the sound through that instead (ugh). Any ideas what might cause this? It's clearly not a loose connection or anything like that as it's so regular. I did wonder about the HDMI cable specs; the one I'm using is a Cablesson High Speed one from Amazon, which should be OK? Any advice much appreciated.

03-03-2013, 18:15	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Most HDMI problems are software related - have you checked your TV has the latest version available? - you might also check the Pioneer, if it's upgradable?.

03-03-2013, 18:33	#3
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Not sure exactly how important it is but was the cable HDMI ver 1.4 compatible? There is a chance that a cable designed for the previous spec might not fully support ARC. Though if that were the case I would be inclined to think ARC would not work at all.

03-03-2013, 19:09	#4
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	The manual doesn't tell you but you need to have the Simplink (LG's version of HDMI control) turned on for ARC to work properly.

03-03-2013, 19:48	#5
Ericthelobster Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 44	Thanks for the replies - much appreciated. Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin Most HDMI problems are software related - have you checked your TV has the latest version available? - you might also check the Pioneer, if it's upgradable?. Yes, the TV's fully up-to-date; the amp isn't internet-enabled and there's no way of upgrading its firmware that I'm aware of. Quote: Originally Posted by soulboy77 Tyou need to have the Simplink (LG's version of HDMI control) turned on for ARC to work properly. Yes, Simplink's definitely switched on on the TV, and is working fine other than this ARC issue. Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr Not sure exactly how important it is but was the cable HDMI ver 1.4 compatible? Yes, I've got this one, which does claim to be 1.4 - in fact I've got two of these cables (ie the same type) and the symptoms are the same with both. Any more ideas, please?!

03-03-2013, 20:16	#6
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	The fact you've used two cables does tend to rule out a cable fault (unless there is an inherent design fault in the cable). Which leaves the kit on either end of the cable. I've had a read of the Pioneer manual on line and I notice that in the section about ARC even they admit it might not work properly! It does seem to be suggesting that it doesn't like CEC being turned on (ie Simplink on the LG). If the LG needs Simplink on to enable ARC then that does seem to present a problem if true. It's looking like you may have to follow Pioneer's advise and turn off ARC and use an optical digital cable between the two.

04-03-2013, 11:17	#7
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	Looking at other forums the ARC issue does seem to be a common problem with Pioneer VSX amps.

04-03-2013, 12:33	#8
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by soulboy77 Looking at other forums the ARC issue does seem to be a common problem with Pioneer VSX amps. In which case you'd think Pioneer would produce a software update for them - even if it requires them to replace an IC in the unit.

04-03-2013, 23:02	#9
Ericthelobster Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 44	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr It's looking like you may have to follow Pioneer's advise and turn off ARC and use an optical digital cable between the two. Never having tried this before, I've just provided myself with and fitted an optical cable, and the system is working fine; so thanks very much for steering me in the right direction. Not as neat a solution as ARC, owing to the other benefits of that system, but at least I'm up and running now. And I won't be in a hurry to buy Pioneer again, either

08-03-2013, 16:54	#10
JulesandSand Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Caledonia Posts: 5,687	I eventually got rid of my Pioneer VSX AW41M due to HDMI problems when I got my 3D TV and BluRay player that I was unable to solve,

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ARC issue - sound flips on and off (LG 47LM620T-ZE TV and Pioneer VSX-321-k-p amp)