Solving playback issues

[RTM]

I am using a ROKU 2, with latest update to software.

If the Roku goes via HDMI into my Samsung TV, all is well. If I route the Roku HDMI into my Denon AVR for surround sound (which is itself connected to the TV via ARC HDMI) I can get 5.1 sound from the Roku.

However, when I introduce an HDMI splitter box (which has worked well with everything else), so that one channel is going to the Denon AVR and one channel directly into a spare HDMI channel on the TV, (to view stuff that does not need 5.1) things go wrong.

Using the splitter, I can still get 5.1 when viewing via the Denon, but when trying to switch back to the HDMI going from the splitter to the TV, I get the purple screen of death and HDCP message! But if I then take away the splitter, and route the Roku back directly into the TV, it plays again.

I really cannot see why the Roku should behave in this manner? Or, more importantly, how to fix it?

[StreamerUser]

Not sure I understand the reasoning behind your splitter setup, it seems unnecessary.

I don't understand this idea of using the splitter to separate 5.1 content (to the AVR) and 2.0 content (to the TV).

5.1 should be in 5.1 and 2.0 should be in 2.0, regardless of where its connected (TV or AVR).

Why not just directly connect the Roku 2 either to the TV, or the AVR, and call it a day?

Why is there an issue with viewing 2.0 content through your AVR?

Does the AVR not support video passthrough or 2.0 audio from HDMI in to HDMI out?

Why is there an issue viewing 5.1 content through the TV/ARC?

Does the ARC in your TV/AVR not support DD/DD+ 5.1 passthrough/transcode from HDMI to ARC?

[AZBruno]

I believe what the OP wants to do is what I wanted. There are times I just want to watch the TV with the TV sound so I don't even need to power up the A/V receiver. Other times I want to use the receiver for better sound.

In my case, I have the Roku connected to the HDMI on the TV, and then I run a DAO cable from the TV to the receiver. Of course you need to have a DAO output on the TV (my 2013 Samsung has it) and a DAO input on the receiver.

[RTM]

Why not connect the Roku to either the Tv or AVR an call it a day? Because, as I tried to make clear, that isn't what I want to do.

[StreamerUser]

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@AZBruno wrote:

I believe what the OP wants to do is what I wanted. There are times I just want to watch the TV with the TV sound so I don't even need to power up the A/V receiver. Other times I want to use the receiver for better sound.

In my case, I have the Roku connected to the HDMI on the TV, and then I run a DAO cable from the TV to the receiver. Of course you need to have a DAO output on the TY (my 2013 Samsung has it) and a DAO input on the receiver.

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I do that very thing as well - and do it with my Rokus directly connected to my various TVs (which are connected via ARC/Optical to various AVRs).

I get 5.1/upmixed 5.1 output from the AVR when my AVRs are on, and 2.x from my TV speakers when my AVRs are off.

Of course, it all depends on ARC/Optical and CEC support existing/enabled, but it works pretty flawlessly 99+% of the time.

Again, no splitter is necessary, which is why I wonder if there is some lack of/broken functionality somewhere, or perhaps a functionality misunderstanding.

[RTM]

Indeed, what I hope to do is just as you said. Much of the time 5.1 sound is overkill or not even available on the channel concerned. So when I just want to watch standard TV, being able to do so without turning on the whole **bleep** system would be great, and should be possible.

FWIW, I have done a little research and found another splitter that supposedly solves the problem, and have ordered it up. If this does the trick, I’ll make another post for the benefit of anyone else needing this solution.

[RTM]

If I am I not understanding, I would love to be corrected. Perhaps there is a setting that I have overlooked?

If I route the Roku directly into the the Denon AVR, which is connected to the TV via its ARC HDMI, then I get 5.1 sound. But if I turn the AVR off, then all I get is a message saying source unavailable.

In other words, I cannot just watch using TV sound.

[StreamerUser]

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@RTM wrote:

Indeed, what I hope to do is just as you said. Much of the time 5.1 sound is overkill or not even available on the channel concerned. So when I just want to watch standard TV, being able to do so without turning on the whole **bleep** system would be great, and should be possible.

FWIW, I have done a little research and found another splitter that supposedly solves the problem, and have ordered it up. If this does the trick, I’ll make another post for the benefit of anyone else needing this solution.

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What you desire is possible, connecting the Roku directly to the TV, connecting the AVR & TV via ARC, enabling CEC in both - 5.1/2.0 audio should pass from Roku to the TV and to the AVR without issue (depending on how new/old your TV is and how it handles audio DD/DD+ passthrough/transcoding).

When the AVR is on, it should output audio via the AVR, and when it is off, via the TV speakers.  This is pretty standard TV functionality with ARC/CEC.

Make sure you have ARC/CEC enabled in both the TV/AVR.

[AZBruno]

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@RTM wrote:

If I route the Roku directly into the the Denon AVR, which is connected to the TV via its ARC HDMI, then I get 5.1 sound. But if I turn the AVR off, then all I get is a message saying source unavailable.

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If the AVR is turned off, it would be natural that you would be seeing a source unavailable message if you are selecting the HDMI input form the AVR.

[RTM]

Okay thanks very much for that, Am running out of free time this evening but will give all this a go tomorrow.