If any of yall have a good grasp on this stuff, I’d sure appreciate some help.

I have a Direct TV DVR connected to my TV via HDMI and it makes the sound come out of the speakers that are inside the tv.

I’m trying to run sound to my receiver, so I can hear the audio through my surround sound speakers, but not having any luck.

This used to work when I would run component cables, but today’s tv’s don’t have that option anymore.

There is a digital optical audio out on the back of the Direct TV DVR box, and then another optical audio out on the back of the actual tv. My audio receiver has multiple optical ports labeled in and out.

Does the fact I’m running HDMI (which carries both audio and video) out of the DVR override the ability to also use the optical audio out port of the DVR at the same time? Seems like this might be the case, because when I add an optical cable from the DTV DVR Digital audio OUT, and run it to my receiver’s DTV optical audio IN… still while leaving the HDMI connected, I’d think I would be in business. But it still only plays audio from the speakers in the actual tv.

If bypass the DTV DVR all together and run an optical cable from the back of the actual TV (digital optical out) to my receiver’s optical in, I’d think I would be in business there as well. But I still get nothing other than the TV speakers working.

Any ideas?

research ARC and eARC

https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/hdmi-audio-return-channel-and-earc-for-beginners/

Can you specify audio out on netflix box in settings

my setup hdmi to tv - optical from tv to stereo

Check and see if your receiver has AV switching capabilities, then run the HDMI and digital optical to the receiver from your devices first then from the receiver to the TV with HDMI only. This way when your receiver is off the tv gets the sound, when it is on the stereo system speakers get the sound.

This sounds like a TV setting issue. Go into the menu and see if you have sound out options.

Mine is set up with the HDMI running into my receiver, then another HDMI running out to the TV.

This, digital audio is second best compared to HDMI ARC, but if that is what you have run it. Digital audio out from the TV to the surround sound receiver.
You should have to change setting on the tv under main menu....sound.

That’s exactly what I want it to do.


Good article, thx
After looking at it more, I think the problem is my receiver is just too dang old. I bought it over 20 years ago before HDMI was even a thing. I’ve got some credit on the books at Best Buy, so I’m gonna go look for one that’s up to date with the ARC/eARC & HDMI inputs like the TV has.

Appreciate all yalls help!