frontpage Posted by eddie21j • Sep 29, 2022
Sep 29, 2022 3:45 AM
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frontpage Posted by eddie21j • Sep 29, 2022
Sep 29, 2022 3:45 AM
Denon AVR-S540BT 5.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver
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I have a TCL 6-series 75" Roku TV in our main room, and I have a Blu-ray player, game console, and PC all hooked up to it directly via the HDMI inputs. And then I have my TV output the sound to the receiver.
This arrangement has some nice advantages.
- I can always control the volume through the Roku remote, regardless of which device I'm using.
- Video does not get passed through a receiver, so it does not matter what the receiver supports in terms of resolution, refresh rate, or video standards.
- You don't need an expensive receiver with all the bells and whistles, since it's basically just providing amplification for the speakers.
I should point out that I'm only using a 2.1 setup for my TV, with floorstanding speakers. So I have the TV hooked up to my receiver with analog stereo RCA cables. I'm pretty sure that I could also have my TV pass audio through HDMI using ARC if I wanted a surround sound system, but I don't actually have experience with this.I have a TCL 6-series 75" Roku TV in our main room, and I have a Blu-ray player, game console, and PC all hooked up to it directly via the HDMI inputs. And then I have my TV output the sound to the receiver.
This arrangement has some nice advantages.
- I can always control the volume through the Roku remote, regardless of which device I'm using.
- Video does not get passed through a receiver, so it does not matter what the receiver supports in terms of resolution, refresh rate, or video standards.
- You don't need an expensive receiver with all the bells and whistles, since it's basically just providing amplification for the speakers.
I should point out that I'm only using a 2.1 setup for my TV, with floorstanding speakers. So I have the TV hooked up to my receiver with analog stereo RCA cables. I'm pretty sure that I could also have my TV pass audio through HDMI using ARC if I wanted a surround sound system, but I don't actually have experience with this.For reasons I cannot figure out, I cannot power this unit OFF with my Harmony 650 remote. It will turn it on when it runs the function macros, but won't turn it OFF. So I have to remember to walk over and hit the power button (or fish the remote out of my coffee table drawer)... which I am really bad about not doing after I fall asleep on the couch watching tv. 50/50 chance of noticing my AVR is still on the next morning.
I did the same thing for our Samsung "Frame" TV in our bedroom, but instead of using an AVR, I just got one of those tiny but potent Class-D stereo amplifiers from Amazon. It's powering a pair of nice bookshelf speakers that sound and look great, and the tiny little amplifier is completely hidden away.
Unfortunately the Samsung TV did not have analog out (which the tiny amp requires), but I was able to get a little HDMI ARC converter box that fixed the problem.
Here's the stereo amp I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076P2VS9H
And here's the HDMI ARC converter box:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CJ96MQV
I did the same thing for our Samsung "Frame" TV in our bedroom, but instead of using an AVR, I just got one of those tiny but potent Class-D stereo amplifiers from Amazon. It's powering a pair of nice bookshelf speakers that sound and look great, and the tiny little amplifier is completely hidden away.
Unfortunately the Samsung TV did not have analog out (which the tiny amp requires), but I was able to get a little HDMI ARC converter box that fixed the problem.
Here's the stereo amp I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076P2VS9H
And here's the HDMI ARC converter box:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CJ96MQV
I missed the last part of your post where you talked about using analog audio out from the TV. I usually use the optical audio output from the tv to the AVR. Most all Tv's and AVR's have those. It retains digital 5.1 surround. The DAC (digital to analog converter) in the avr is likely better than the one in the tv anyway.
So the setup is... sources going to the tv via hdmi. The tv is basically the hdmi switcher. The optical audio cable then goes from the tv to the avr, carrying digital 5.1 audio.
If you need it to be analog going into your amp, you can get a little $15 DAC from Amazon to convert the optical to stereo analog.
I usually use the optical audio output from the tv to the AVR. Most all Tv's have those. It retains digital 5.1 surround. The DAC (digital to analog converter) in the avr is likely better than the one in the tv anyway. If you need it to be analog, you can get a little $15 DAC from Amazon to convert the optical to stereo analog.
I don't think that's a Samsung thing...I think that's just the nature of an optical signal. But with HDMI ARC audio, the TV does retain the ability to control the volume.
That sucks, but I assume HDMI-ARC still works to turn this off?
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I don't think that's a Samsung thing...I think that's just the nature of an optical signal. But with HDMI ARC audio, the TV does retain the ability to control the volume.
Tbh if you're just hooking up speakers in your class room just Google your speakers specs and as long as you get an avr that can power them you should be fairly good.
At thrift stores beggars can't really be choosers, it's mostly luck of what you can find. Any reputable brand Denon, onkyo, Marantz, and to lesser extent other name brands will work. Features I'd look for are, hdmi(just means it's newer, older ones will work for you depending on your screen's connections), Bluetooth, and make sure it can support the resolution and refresh rate of your screen.
Basically just ask yourself what you want it to do now and in the future and start shopping from there.
My advice is find something cheap(that could be anything from a lucky $30 goodwill find to this $250 Denon) and then upgrade if you see fit. Or think of all the features you think you'll want within the next couple years and spend a little more now on something that will last you longer.
For reference for my first entry into home theater I bought a 3.1 setup in March that i thought I'd be content with and now have a 5.1.2 setup with a much nicer sub and avr than I started with lol. It's basically a never ending "could be better" game!
I have a TCL 6-series 75" Roku TV in our main room, and I have a Blu-ray player, game console, and PC all hooked up to it directly via the HDMI inputs. And then I have my TV output the sound to the receiver.
This arrangement has some nice advantages.
- I can always control the volume through the Roku remote, regardless of which device I'm using.
- Video does not get passed through a receiver, so it does not matter what the receiver supports in terms of resolution, refresh rate, or video standards.
- You don't need an expensive receiver with all the bells and whistles, since it's basically just providing amplification for the speakers.
I should point out that I'm only using a 2.1 setup for my TV, with floorstanding speakers. So I have the TV hooked up to my receiver with analog stereo RCA cables. I'm pretty sure that I could also have my TV pass audio through HDMI using ARC if I wanted a surround sound system, but I don't actually have experience with this.Do you have an hdmi connected from the TV to the receiver?
I have a TCL 6-series 75" Roku TV in our main room, and I have a Blu-ray player, game console, and PC all hooked up to it directly via the HDMI inputs. And then I have my TV output the sound to the receiver.
This arrangement has some nice advantages.
- I can always control the volume through the Roku remote, regardless of which device I'm using.
- Video does not get passed through a receiver, so it does not matter what the receiver supports in terms of resolution, refresh rate, or video standards.
- You don't need an expensive receiver with all the bells and whistles, since it's basically just providing amplification for the speakers.
I should point out that I'm only using a 2.1 setup for my TV, with floorstanding speakers. So I have the TV hooked up to my receiver with analog stereo RCA cables. I'm pretty sure that I could also have my TV pass audio through HDMI using ARC if I wanted a surround sound system, but I don't actually have experience with this.I have a mix of stuff connected to tv and receiver and my firestick remote and my tv rremote both control the receviers volume. as long as you have CEC enabled it will do this. this receiver doesnt play nice with my pc /. tv so i have to connect it direct to the tv input. but all works fine.
So 8 thumbs down, instead of clicking the thumbs up, or replying, 'what was your fix' ??
In the past, I've replied with long -- and what I considered, helpful -- explanations, sometimes with pictures*, videos*, etc -- and gotten zero likes/reactions/replies.
* 30 to 50 views of each.
So now I don't waste my time & effort if no one is interested.
Or interested enough to even click the thumbs up.
This time at least, 3 people liked my explanation.
AFAIK, SD is the best site of its kind. imho, that's mostly due to the very large community of people who try to help others.
Please keep in mind -- even tiny expressions of gratitude can be encouraging.
So 8 thumbs down, instead of clicking the thumbs up, or replying, 'what was your fix' ??
In the past, I've replied with long -- and what I considered, helpful -- explanations, sometimes with pictures*, videos*, etc -- and gotten zero likes/reactions/replies.
* 30 to 50 views of each.
So now I don't waste my time & effort if no one is interested.
Or interested enough to even click the thumbs up.
This time at least, 3 people liked my explanation.
AFAIK, SD is the best site of its kind. imho, that's mostly due to the very large community of people who try to help others.
Please keep in mind -- even tiny expressions of gratitude can be encouraging.
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