This issue was eventually fixed with a firmware update last fall.
Good to know it's not just me. I was not sure if it was the soundbar or the TV. This pretty much confirms that it's the TV. I'm talking to TCL and it sounds like they might consider replacing the TV or some other option but if the problem is their firmware, I don't think replacing the TV will help.
Not quite sure what to do. I'm going to email them and point them to this thread to see what they suggest.
I like the Roku interface but I'm starting to think that Roku TVs, in particular TCL Roku TVs, are not a good idea. Better to have a TV with another user interface and just attach a Roku device to it. On my other TV I have a Roku Ultra and while it's not perfect, at least I don't have these problems with it. My previous TCL was also a 65R635 and it had nothing but problems with soundbars and the audio always being out of sync.
I have 4 TCL Roku TVs, 3 with soundbars, and all seem to have a different issue with Audio/CEC. This new issue being the worst. I'm thinking of going with the R646 Google TV if this firmware isn't fixed or rolled back. I love Roku, but these issues constant Audio/CEC issues are stressing me out. I posted this on Reddit, and another user said he has issues with his receiver and has been working with Roku for months with no fix in sight. Customer service does basic tech support, and I've done way more testing than I'm sure they would suggest. And a replacement seems like a waste of time and we're pretty sure its tied to the 10.5 update. So your right, probably get another TV with a Roku stick.
I would like to add that every time the TV turns off, you go to the CEC devices, and it shows NONE. You can click on Search for CEC devices, click Refresh, and you get your Dolby Atmos again, if this is a quicker fix for some others with this issue.
t3hbutt3rs wrote:I have 4 TCL Roku TVs, 3 with soundbars, and all seem to have a different issue with Audio/CEC. This new issue being the worst. I'm thinking of going with the R646 Google TV if this firmware isn't fixed or rolled back. I love Roku, but these issues constant Audio/CEC issues are stressing me out. I posted this on Reddit, and another user said he has issues with his receiver and has been working with Roku for months with no fix in sight. Customer service does basic tech support, and I've done way more testing than I'm sure they would suggest. And a replacement seems like a waste of time and we're pretty sure its tied to the 10.5 update. So your right, probably get another TV with a Roku stick.
I would like to add that every time the TV turns off, you go to the CEC devices, and it shows NONE. You can click on Search for CEC devices, click Refresh, and you get your Dolby Atmos again, if this is a quicker fix for some others with this issue.
Mine shows a Firestick as a CEC device but the soundbar is often missing even though the TV still turns the soundbar on and off. The problem seems to be that they can't figure out how to make an eARC port that actually works.
Sometimes when I go to Info on the soundbar it reports that it's connected to an ARC port, not eARC. Other times it does report eARC. I've asked TCL if there's a way to manually set the port to ARC rather than eARC but they haven't answered the question. I don't like that you can't disable eARC and just use ARC. There has to be a way though because it sometimes does it on its own. On my Sony TV I can turn eARC on or off. When eARC is off, it works as ARC. Not sure why TCL can't do this. And if there is a way, where is that setting?
I've searched and searched and havent found a way to swap or disable them. I too have emailed support, and linked them to this thread. So seems to be an issue with eARC with the update most likely because my other TCLs only support ARC and this soundbar has no issue working on them. Who know if/when a fix will be available. Since my return window is shortening, and CS is likely to take a while to respond with the pandemic, I just purchased the TCL R646 Google TV, it can't be worse, right? Also just read that the R646 supports 4k 120hz too! So that'll be a bonus for gaming.
If you come across any fixes, or I do before I swap the TV's, please post here.
If anyone else has similar issues, please post here so hopefully Roku can get a fix for you.
Best of luck and cheers!
