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Why Doesn’t My AVR Switch to ARC When I Open Netflix on My TV?

John Sciacca  |  Mar 25, 2024

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Q I have a 7.1 system with an Integra AV receiver and I use a cable box for TV. When I switch to the Netflix app on my Sony TV, the receiver doesn’t switch to ARC; it stays on HDMI and I get TV audio instead of Netflix. Sometimes, powering down everything works to restore the connection, but the issue soon returns. Any thoughts on this? Thank you. — Larry Hochstetler

A We seem to get a lot of questions about TV audio and ARC (Audio Return Channel) via HDMI, so it’s definitely worth revisiting here!

ARC was introduced in 2009 as part of the HDMI 1.4 standard, allowing for two-way flow of audio and video signals over a single HDMI cable. Since ARC was designed to replace the S/PDIF digital audio outputs of the day, it is limited to handling the same compressed audio formats as S/PDIF, namely Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM audio up to 5.1 channels. (ARC did increase bandwidth up to 1 Mbits/second versus S/PDIF’s 384 Kbits/second.) For all intents and purposes, the audio output from an HDMI ARC connection and a Toslink optical audio connection will be identical.

When HDMI 2.1 arrived in 2018, it introduced eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). This not only increased the maximum audio bandwidth to 37 Mbits/second, but it also included support for next-gen, lossless audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X in resolutions up to 192/24, making it far superior to both ARC and Toslink connections. Beyond the improved audio, I’ve found that eARC is also far more reliable when it comes to switching inputs and controlling volume on a connected AV receiver or soundbar. When available, that is the preferred audio connection.

Since you didn’t mention eARC, or give the model of your TV or receiver, I’ll assume that isn’t an option for your situation. In my experience, the ARC connection between components was always quite buggy, not switching inputs or automatically engaging as you mention, which is why my installation company almost always uses the TV’s Toslink connection instead of ARC — it delivers the same performance and is just way more reliable. To cut down on input switching, you could connect your cable box directly to your TV via HDMI, and then keep your receiver on the TV Audio input (configured to use the optical audio input).

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COMMENTS
trynberg's picture
Submitted by trynberg on March 25, 2024 - 12:02pm

I think much better advice is to keep the cable box going through the AVR and just buy a streaming stick or Shield/Apple TV to use streaming services through. Completely bypass the ARC mess and get better performance than the slow and clunky Sony TV UI as well.

blabling2's picture
Submitted by blabling2 on March 25, 2024 - 9:29pm

ARC was introduced in 2009 as part of the HDMI 1.4 standard, connect 4, allowing for two-way flow of audio and video signals over a single HDMI cable.

3ddavey13's picture
Submitted by 3ddavey13 on March 28, 2024 - 1:14pm

I have two 2016 Sony TVs, one a rather expensive Z9D, and neither will pass even compressed 5.1 over the ARC connection. I can only get stereo. My work around was to purchase an Apple 4K TV, put all my apps on it, connect that to my receiver, and the receiver to the TV. It's the only way I can enjoy Atmos and lossless surround when streaming. There is no difference between the ARC and the digital out on these sets.

ScottMcA's picture
Submitted by ScottMcA on April 2, 2024 - 12:57pm

I had the same issue where I would get a momentary switch to the App on my TV and then the sound would switch back to my TV box that was also connected to my receiver. I kept on thinking the issue was the setup on the TV but it was the ARC setting on the receiver. It was set to auto switch to the HDMI port that was connected to the TV box. So though the TV was showing the video from the built-in app, the receiver kept on switching the sound back to the default HDMI port resulting in Netflix video on the TV screen and audio from the TV box. After I adjusted the receiver setting to not auto switch the sound, the issue was resolved. Hopefully this information helps other readers who are having similar issues.

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Submitted by vivek on April 5, 2024 - 3:09am

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joedavidson's picture
Submitted by joedavidson on August 5, 2024 - 10:00pm

The audio output from an HDMI ARC connection and a Toslink optical audio connection will, for all practical purposes, be the same.

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joedevrie's picture
Submitted by joedevrie on October 28, 2024 - 6:14am

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