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Question

Surround sound

Feb 25, 2016 1:53PM PST

I have a Samsung tv from 2008 that does not have ARC hdmi. Bought a new Sony receiver that does have ARC and am told that I need to connect an digital optical cable. Sony cannot tell me why I need this. Does anyone know?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Your tv is not ARC compatible therefore...
Feb 25, 2016 1:58PM PST

you have to use the optical cable. With ARC, it take both partners to tango.

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Surround Sound
Feb 25, 2016 2:26PM PST

Thanks for the quick responses

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Answer
As much fun as it can be.
Feb 25, 2016 2:07PM PST

Many makers no longer tell you what you need since there may be implied support if they said it.

The cable is pretty cheap. Check out the AmazonBasics models.

Why? Because that's how you'll get the audio from TV to your receiver.

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I forgot a BIG BIG THNG.
Feb 25, 2016 2:34PM PST

Most Samsung do not pass 5.1 surround if the source is HDMI. This is why most folk use this setup.

1. Sources to the Receiver.
2. HDMI from Receiver output to HDTV.
3. One last optical link from HDTV for antenna channels (which might be surround and is known to pass.)

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Surround sound
Feb 25, 2016 3:22PM PST

Thanks again for the additional info.
BB insisted I only needed hdmi.