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Question

Sony HT-CT380 sound bar sound but no picture

Mar 15, 2016 8:25PM PDT

Hi,
So over the past couple weeks I have been trying to upgrade our current home theater. But I have had more run-ins than I can count.
My most recent one is with my sound bar. It worked fine for a few days but, Monday night I came home to my mom and brother complaining that they couldn't watch tv. There was sound coming out of the sound bar, but no picture was on the TV. I have the sound bar set up so all of my inputs run through the sound bar via HDMI and the sound bar is connected to the TV via HDMI. HDMI out on the sound bar has ARC, but none of the inputs on the TV have it. As I'm writing this it is occurring to me that this could be the issue... Am I right or could it be something else?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
All makes, models and connections please
Mar 16, 2016 11:49AM PDT

Otherwise, we can only guess what you are working with.

That said, yes. The lack of ARC may be an issue, but not necessarily. Ideally, if you do not use a cable or satellite box, you could try adding a digital optical cable from the HDTV back to the soundbar. Knowing the HDTV model is a must here(!) Wink

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Brands and model #s
Mar 17, 2016 6:24PM PDT

The TV is a Sony Bravia KDL-40VL160 with 4 HDMI inputs. I'm not sure how big ( around 40 inches I think), but I don't think that really matters to much.

Also I don't think the lack of ARC in the TV is the problem. It worked for a while just fine, and even when it stopped working I had sound, but just no picture.

Thanks Happy

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ARC has been known to stop working without notice.
Mar 17, 2016 8:43PM PDT

Try other connections now.

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Don't think ARC is the problem
Mar 17, 2016 8:56PM PDT

Audio works just fine, just no picture

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Still unclear
Mar 18, 2016 11:27AM PDT

I read this post again and can't nail down the hookups. If the TV has no video and the input is from source to TV then a few tests I do before I call the TV dead.

1. Unplug HDMI and power to the TV. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the HDMI chips to reset.
Plug in one source then power up to test I no video the TV is faulty. That is, no menus show, etc.

2. Try the source to another TV.

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Sources go through the sound bar
Mar 19, 2016 2:03PM PDT

All of my sources ( Xbox, Chromecast, and X1 ), run into the sound bar and a HDMI out from the sound bar runs into the TV. The TV is not dead. Running sources straight into the TV works fine. I think there is either an issue with A/V part of the sound bar, or a shotty HDMI connection. I'm going to try to get it to work one more time, then if that doesn't work I'm going to return the sound bar to best buy.

That's my plan unless anyone else has any other suggestions

Thanks Happy

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"Running sources straight into the TV works fine."
Mar 19, 2016 3:07PM PDT