Podcast Summary: Home Theater Geeks 459 – Should I Connect Sources to TV or AVR HDMI?

Release Date: November 21, 2024

Introduction

In episode 459 of Home Theater Geeks, hosted by Scott Wilkinson of TWiT, the discussion centers around a common dilemma faced by home theater enthusiasts: Should HDMI sources be connected directly to the TV or routed through the AV Receiver (AVR)? This episode delves deep into the intricacies of HDMI connections, focusing on a question posed by a listener known as "Sota Audio Guy."

Understanding HDMI eARC

Scott begins by explaining HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), a significant improvement over the traditional ARC.

“HDMI eARC allows the HDMI cable connecting the receiver to the TV to carry audio from the TV back to the receiver,” Scott explains at [02:30].

Before eARC, users had to rely on separate audio cables (typically Toslink optical cables) to transmit audio from the TV to the AVR. With eARC, this redundancy is eliminated, streamlining the connection process and enhancing audio quality.

He illustrates the difference with a comparative scenario:

• Pre-eARC Setup:

  • HDMI from AVR to TV for video and audio.
  • Separate optical cable from TV to AVR for audio from TV sources like built-in tuners or streaming apps.

• Post-eARC Setup:

  • Single HDMI cable handles both sending audio/video to the TV and receiving audio from the TV to the AVR.

This advancement simplifies setups and reduces cable clutter, making it easier to manage multiple audio sources.

Current Setup vs. Recommended Setup

The listener's current configuration involves:

• Samsung TV connected to a Yamaha TSR 700 Receiver via HDMI eARC.
• Roku Ultra Streamer connected directly to a spare HDMI input on the TV.

However, this arrangement leads to audio lag, where there's a noticeable delay between the on-screen action and the corresponding audio.

Scott suggests a reconfiguration:

“I prefer to have all source devices such as the Roku connected to the receiver and use that to switch between devices,” he recommends at [04:15].

Benefits of Connecting Sources to the AVR:

1. Centralized Control: The AVR can manage all HDMI sources, allowing it to act as the primary switcher. This centralization simplifies input management and ensures consistent audio processing.

2. Reduced Input Switching on TV: Limiting the TV to act primarily as a display minimizes the need to adjust settings across multiple TV inputs, streamlining the user experience.

3. Enhanced Audio Processing: AVRs like the Yamaha TSR 700 are equipped with advanced audio processing features, including lip sync control, which can mitigate delays between audio and video.

Addressing Lip Sync Issues

A significant concern raised was the audio lag affecting lip sync. Scott explores potential solutions:

“I don't know if your Samsung TV has a lip sync control. Some do, some don't,” he mentions at [08:10].

Steps to Resolve Lip Sync:

1. Check TV Settings: Determine if the Samsung TV model has a built-in lip sync or audio sync feature. This can often be found in the audio settings menu.

2. Utilize AVR’s Lip Sync Control: The Yamaha TSR 700 includes a lip sync adjustment feature.

   “The Yamaha TSR 700 does have a lip sync control that should let you bring the visuals and the audio into sync,” Scott points out at [08:30].

   Users can access this feature in the receiver's option and settings menus, allowing for precise adjustments to match audio timing with video.

3. Connect Sources to AVR: By routing the Roku Ultra directly to the AVR, users can leverage the receiver's lip sync capabilities to address any discrepancies effectively.

Scott further notes that the Roku Ultra lacks any native lip sync adjustment options, making the AVR's features essential for resolving such issues.

Final Recommendations and Conclusion

Summarizing his insights, Scott advocates for:

• Connecting All HDMI Sources to the AVR: This setup leverages the AVR's switching capabilities and audio processing features, providing a more seamless and synchronized home theater experience.

• Minimizing TV Input Usage: By reducing the number of devices connected directly to the TV, users can avoid unnecessary complexity and potential audio delays.

“Using the receiver as the switcher, which it's designed to do, is the optimal setup when you have an external sound system,” Scott concludes at [07:50].

He encourages listeners to re-evaluate their home theater configurations, emphasizing the benefits of centralizing control through the AVR to enhance both audio and video performance.

Engagement and Support

Towards the end of the episode, Scott invites listeners to submit their questions via the Home Theater Geeks Discord forum and highlights the benefits of supporting the TWiT network through Club TWiT memberships, which offer access to exclusive content and community interactions.

“I love answering these questions and I will do as many as I can right here on the show,” Scott shares at [08:50].

Listeners are encouraged to join the community for more insights and to support the continued production of quality tech content.

Key Takeaways:

• HDMI eARC significantly improves audio transmission between TVs and AVRs, reducing the need for multiple cables.
• Connecting all HDMI sources to the AVR provides better control, simplifies setup, and leverages advanced audio features like lip sync adjustments.
• Addressing audio lag is more effective through the AVR, especially when sources like the Roku Ultra lack native synchronization controls.
• Centralizing your home theater setup through the AVR enhances both user experience and system performance.

For those navigating home theater setups, this episode offers valuable guidance on optimizing HDMI connections to achieve the best audiovisual harmony.