Sony Support

Article ID : 00206862 / Last Modified : 03/02/2022Print

After the firmware update of my Sound Bar or AV receiver, TV audio stopped

After using an HDMI cable to connect the Sound Bar or AV receiver to the TV via the HDMI terminal (ARC) for the first time, the Sound Bar or speaker connected to the AV receiver stopped producing audio from the TV.

    IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and operating systems.
    Check the Applicable Products and Categories of this article before starting these steps.


     

    Turn off the eARC function of the Sound Bar or AV receiver and check whether this resolves the symptom.

    The latest firmware update for the Sound Bar and AV receiver includes the addition of the eARC function.
    However, if your TV is not compatible with the eARC function, and you are only using an HDMI cable to connect the TV to the Sound Bar or AV receiver via the HDMI terminal (ARC), this symptom may occur.

    Check your TV's manual or support page to confirm whether your TV is compatible with the eARC function.

    What exactly is eARC?
    eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) is a new feature of HDMI Specification 2.1. In addition to audio formats supported by the conventional ARC (Audio Return Channel), it is also compatible with the latest audio formats.
    By connecting your Sound Bar or AV receiver to an eARC-compatible TV, you can use object audio or multichannel LPCM information (Linear Pulse Code Modulation is a method for digitally encoding uncompressed audio), which could not be transmitted by your TV or HDMI-connected device using regular ARC. This includes Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS:X. 


    How to turn off the eARC function of the Sound Bar or AV receiver

    Sound Bar:

    1. Using the Sound Bar remote control, press the HOME button.
       
    2. Select Setup on the home menu on the TV screen.
      • For HT-ST5000:
        Select System Settings.
      • For HT-X9000F/XF9000/Z9F/ZF9:
        Select Advanced Settings.
         
    3. Select HDMI Settings.
       
    4. Select eARC, then set to Off.

     

    AV receiver:

    For STR-DN1080 & similar:

    1. Using the AV receiver remote control, press the HOME button.
    2. Select Setup on the home menu on the TV screen.
    3. Select HDMI Settings.
    4. Select eARC, then set to Off.
       

    For STR-DH790 & similar:

    1. Using the AV receiver remote control, press the AMP MENU button.
    2. Select <HDMI> on the display panel on the front of the receiver.
    3. Select EARC, then set to OFF.