I just got a new TV and I'm trying to hook it up to my sound system via my a/v receiver. The 2 audio output options on the TV are Optical or HDMI-ARC (actually eARC). I have a Pioneer VSX1123 receiver that's going on 10yrs old and it doesn't have HDMI ARC capabilities and won't play the sound when I connect an HDMI cable from my TV's HDMI-ARC output into my receiver's non HDMI-ARC input.

Are my only option to use an optical cable or get a new receiver? Just making sure I'm not missing anything.

Edit: I can't read, you tried my idea. I would think the HDMI output to the receiver should work, may be a settings issue.

Yeah, the HDMI should be backwards compatible

You may have to select your audio output method in the settings. On my LG TVs it won't always auto-detect the audio output and I have to manually select HDMI

After some googling I found that the receiver does actual have HDMI-ARC capability. Just had to go into the settings and enable it.

https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Home/VSX-1123-K_OperatingInstructions011813.pdf

Funny you mention that. New TV is an LG OLED and I had to go in and manually select the audio output.

That's surprising it didn't auto detect

I've been shocked how good the compatibility is on both eARC and CEC. I have an old Denon receiver from maybe...2012? I plugged it in to a new Roku TV and the TV turns the receiver on/off, handles volume pass-through, and it plays whatever audio the TV is playing. I anticipated a lengthy setup process but I just plugged one thing in and it worked.

I'm in a similar boat with a new LG C2 and a 2015ish Marantz receiver. It has eARC, but try as I might I cannot get it to pick up an HDMI signal from the TV. Really frustrating because using the optical cable means I can't get TrueHD or DTS signals through.

I've changed the TV output, reassigned inputs on the receiver, and just about everything else I can think of.

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

No idea if this has anything to do with your situation, but in Jun 2021 Best Buy delivered, installed and set up a LG CX. They used the HDMI 2 input on the LG to connect to a 10 year old Denon receiver. I asked why HDMI 2 instead of HDMI 2 and they said that's just how it's set up for the LG and Denon to work together.

Yeah, I'm using HDMI 2 out and the ARC Monitor port on the receiver.

The ARC channel on the Marantz is also the monitor out, so I'm definitely thinking it's on the receiver end of the connection. Googling last night showed other people with frustration on Marantz receivers. I know this one doesn't have HDCP 2.3, so that might be involved. But I thought that only affected pass through signals, which I'm not using.

El_duderino said:

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That's surprising it didn't auto detect

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My C2 and my parents' B2 that i set up both defaulted to the LG "AI Sound" mode out of the box. Had to manually select HDM ARC.

eARC and ARC are not equal when it comes to compatibility, if you plug in an eARC device to aARC receiver it won't properly recognize or be able to consume the extra data.

a 10 year old receiver.... you might want to retire it to the garage and get something more capable. I can help if you are interested.