I have quick question. I’m trying to figure out the stupid Hisense TV that I recently bought.
My TV came with 3 HDMI ports. But one of them is designated as an eARC port. I did do my research but found conflicting info. I was curious if the eARC port is strictly an output port supposedly. But since I didn’t do any resarch before plugging in the Shield, and just went with it. When I tried to set up the Dolby Vision i got horrible stuttering in the sound. I did research on that (Reddit) that suggested turning off Dolby. Dolby is turned off and the stuttering is gone. So I’ve finally looked into what the eArc port is and found that it is an output for a sound system/soundbar. But thought “Why did it work, kinda, as an input port?” **And extra info, this a Bluetooth headphones only TV. No soundbar or internal speakers are being used.
I moved the Shield from the eARC port to another port but haven’t had the chance to find the outcome of the change, with Dolby turned on. I’ve been busy today, so I won’t get a chance to test until this evening. Gosh, I might have get one of those HDMI port boxes so i can set up my 3 boxes.
The eArc HDMI port on most tvs is specifically designed for connecting and controlling audio devices like a soundbar. I have 4 hdmi ports on my LG set including the eArc port. I tried using it with other devices other than my soundbar and ended up having connection along with video/audio issues. I ended up reconnecting my soundbar to the eArc port and got two 2-to-1 input manual hdmi switches to use with my other tv hdmi ports so I could connect all my periferal devices to my tv. I’ve had no further sound or video problems since.
On my main tv in the living room, I “Conflagerated” a (semi) nice mounting board. On it I have the 5 port HDMI switch, an Ethernet Switch (as i’m still a Hard-Wired fan), and I have 5 Streaming Boxes all as inputs to the HDMI Switch. The hdmi switch is populated like this: Port 1 is my Formuler Z11 Pro Max; Port 2 is my Minix U8K Ultra; Port 3 is the Nvidea Shield; Port 4 is the Onn Pro and rounding out in Port 5 is the Rupa box. The one output of the HDMI Switch goes to HDMI port 1 on the TV, and the HDMI-eArc from the Tv goes to my Samsung Soundbar for some Sweet Surround!
Whichever device I wish to use is just a simple remote selection (1 thru 5), and then with the remote that goes with whichever devices I chose, I fire up the TV and soundbar. I have this board and all the components underneath the tv inside the tv cabinet/stand. It has clear doors and I can see whats active and the ethernet switch activity. I will take some pictures of it all when I get the wire management sorted better. It’s “OK” now, but not neat enough for public view IMHO. Who would have thought a retired EE would be picky about wiring…go figure eh?
As Im getting older now, I still revel at all the Tech we have available today. Heck I dont need all the stuff I have for sure, but im hooked and enjoy it.
