Issue with QN90A and Receivers - Page 2

ryancharles · ‎08-01-2022

Good Day Everyone,

I am having, from what I am reading, a known issue with by Samsung 65inch QN90A TV. I was wondering if someone out-there has a solution or work around. I have already spoken to Samsung support and tried numerous factory resets and manually upgraded the firmware to the latest version, 1901

The TV was installed on Dec 29. It is hooked up via an HDMI cable from the HDMI eArc port #3 to the correct port on my Denon Receiver.

My cable box and Nvidea Shield are also connected to the Denon Receiver.

On initial setup, everything was working fine, all sound, regardless weather it was coming from the Nvidea Shield, cable or one of the embedded Samsung apps, was coming from the speakers, connected to the Denon receiver.

When I go into the Settings > Sound > sound output it was set to external receiver

2-3 days after setup the TV no longer recognized my receiver. Now when I go to Settings > Sound > Sound output it is set to TV speakers and the external receiver option is gone.

Now cable and Nvidea Shield items are still coming from the Denon Receiver Speakers, but all sound from Samsung embedded apps are coming from the TV speakers.

For example, If I use the embedded Netflix App and play something, that item is coming from TV speakers, while what ever content I was playing is still coming from the speakers attached to the Denon Receiver. I have 2 audio streams happening in parallel.

My only option/workaround is to mute the receiver and use the TV speakers for that Netflix Content.

When I spoke to Samsung support, they said it’s a known software issue.

Any thoughts, ideas or support would be great.

JimWalker · ‎10-08-2022

Bad news it seems. This apparently is working as designed (WAD). Here's the verbatim response from Samsung:

This is in regards to your recent interaction with one of the associates regarding your QN90AA model TV. We've gone through the conversation. Please note that the Sound Settings - Sound Output will be changed to TV Speakers when we turn on the TV back after setting it to external speakers or a Soundbar. That's the normal operation of the unit. We have got no option to change it.

This seems like a bad design, but I guess the workaround I described is the way to go to get around this flaw.

Pauljr · ‎25-09-2022

Hello,

UnfortunateIy, I have a QN90B Samsung TV with the same eArc issues using a Yamaha A6A receiver. I believe the Samsung QN90B and A models TV's have a software and/or hardware critical defect with its eArc system. The Samsung QN90B eArc problems started as soon as the Yamaha A6A was connected to the TV. Performed extensive troubleshooting tasks over the span of 3 weeks with the help of experts from Yamaha's help line and they rightfully concluded that it was the Samsung QN90B TV having eArc communication issues with Yamaha A6A receiver. Unfortunately the facts are now building that Samsung’s QN90B and A models TV’s do have a consistent and systemic defect in their eArc system that they need to fix as soon as possible.

TV and AVR Configuration:

Only using Samsung QN90B TV apps such as Youtube-TV, Netflix, PrimeTV, Disney, Youtube.
eArc using 8K rated cable TV output to HDMI-3 to Yamaha A6A eArc input.

Summary of Problems with Samsung QN90A eArc with Yamaha A6A Receiver

Audio randomly drops out when switching channels and/or changing volume.
Significant audio delays when switching channels and/or apps.
At times have total loss of audio when switching channels and/or apps.
At times no audio upon TV startup.
Random AVR source change at TV startup, and when changing channels and/or apps.

Summary of Troubleshooting Tasks:

Switch to different HDMI cable at eArc connections, no improvements.
Changed and adjusted numerous TV and AVR settings, no improvements.
Bi-pass eArc with optical cable, all eARC related problems solved, but lower quality audio.
Bi-pass eArc with Apple TV using HDMI interconnects, all eARC related problems solved, but had lower quality video using Yamaha’s 4K up-converter, Samsung internal 4K up-converter is much better than Yamahas.
I believe there are no other solutions to this QN90B eArc problem. I now firmly believe that the QN90B and A models have a hardware and/or software permanent eArc system defect.

Pauljr · ‎25-09-2022

Hello,

UnfortunateIy, I have a QN90B Samsung TV with the same eArc issues using a Yamaha A6A receiver. I believe the Samsung QN90B and A models TV's have a software and/or hardware critical defect with its eArc system. The Samsung QN90B eArc problems started as soon as the Yamaha A6A was connected to the TV. Performed extensive troubleshooting tasks over the span of 3 weeks with the help of experts from Yamaha's help line and they rightfully concluded that it was the Samsung QN90B TV having eArc communication issues with Yamaha A6A receiver. Unfortunately the facts are now building that Samsung’s QN90B and A models TV’s do have a consistent and systemic defect in their eArc system that they need to fix as soon as possible.

TV and AVR Configuration:

Only using Samsung QN90B TV apps such as Youtube-TV, Netflix, PrimeTV, Disney, Youtube.
eArc using 8K rated cable TV output to HDMI-3 to Yamaha A6A eArc input.

Summary of Problems with Samsung QN90A eArc with Yamaha A6A Receiver

Audio randomly drops out when switching channels and/or changing volume.
Significant audio delays when switching channels and/or apps.
At times have total loss of audio when switching channels and/or apps.
At times no audio upon TV startup.
Random AVR source change at TV startup, and when changing channels and/or apps.

Summary of Troubleshooting Tasks:

Switch to different HDMI cable at eArc connections, no improvements.
Changed and adjusted numerous TV and AVR settings, no improvements.
Bi-pass eArc with optical cable, all eARC related problems solved, but lower quality audio.
Bi-pass eArc with Apple TV using HDMI interconnects, all eARC related problems solved, but had lower quality video using Yamaha’s 4K up-converter, Samsung internal 4K up-converter is much better than Yamahas.
I believe there are no other solutions to this QN90B eArc problem. I now firmly believe that the QN90B and A models have a hardware and/or software permanent eArc system defect.

Chris BC · ‎01-10-2022

I can confirm having numerous issues of the same type with my QN90A connected to a Denon receiver. I had the exact same problems with a top of the line Samsung 2016 model before I bought the newer QN90A from 2021. I have been using an optical cable from when I first got the Denon receiver, however, so I usually only need to press the "TV Audio" button on the Denon remote (multiple times upon powering on the receiver) to keep the Samsung from changes sources.

Frequently when just watching standard TV programs the receiver is turned off and I am using the TV speakers. When I watch movies or streaming series content such as 'Breaking Bad', 'Bosch', etc., I turn on the receiver. When I had a Dish box connected to the Denon and turned on the Denon without hitting the "TV Audio" button on the Denon remote multiple times, the 2016 Samsung TV would always take me out of Netflix, Amazon, or whatever else and go to the Dish Network signal via the Denon. The QN90A would do this intermittently, although I rarely gave it the chance.

With the total loss of audio issue my fix is to remove the power from the TV by unplugging it. This full cold reset resolves the problem where turning off the TV, even many times, will NOT correct the problem. Today, after having the QN90A for about 3 months, I experienced a complete black screen. The unplugging hard reset also fixed this.

I will concur completely that Samsung has a systemic issue with their eARC/HDMI communication protocol. As an experienced engineer with many years of programming experience, I have no doubts that this is because Samsung has some absolutely pathetic programmers working for them. Until they hire some competent programmers, these types of issues will continue.

I am curious to know why you believe the optical connection yielded lower quality audio for you. The optical output should contain all of the information found in the HDMI pathway.

SamDude · ‎01-10-2022

@Chris BC

this is because Samsung has some absolutely pathetic programmers working for them. Until they hire some competent programmers, these types of issues will continue.

😅

As a fellow developer, I wouldn't put the blame on the programmers so quickly. The bosses may have decided on the eARC implementation (how it works) or they may have placed the any fixes on a backlog and not as a priority. They may also be understaffed coming out of the pandemic.

I have only seen one TV update since I bought my QN90A and it didn't fix the eARC issues.

I am curious to know why you believe the optical connection yielded lower quality audio for you. T

From Google: HDMI ARC supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, and up to 7.1 channels of uncompressed audio while Digital Optical only supports Dolby Digital and up to 5.1 channels of uncompressed audio.

Sounds like you are having more issues than the rest of us. Maybe do a return/replacement if still possible?

My only issue with this TV is that it keeps switching receiver sources on start and won't urn on my Denon receiver.

I have noticed a few times the receiver will remain on the "CBL/Sat" source on start, but I am not sure what sequence of turning on these devices does that. I have the Denon receiver, HTPC and TV to turn on and I don't usually turn them on in the same order.

SamDude · ‎01-10-2022

I just saw this.

https://www.samsung.com/us/support/troubleshooting/TSG01111222/#turn-off-automatic-hdmi-switching-wi...

Edit: didn't work for receiver source switching issues.

iadagraca · ‎04-12-2022

Also encountered this problem, it's a shame they decided to complicate things by not making the one HDMI 2.1 port eARC.

Didn't realize how big a problem this was until i finally got a sound system.

Sadly it seems CEC and eARC are tied to each other. So you can't have eArc without the source switching.

So doing things like listening to music on my receiver while using the 2.1 port is impossible.

SamDude · ‎04-12-2022

For Denon receivers, a simple solution is to turn off "HDMI Control" so the TV can't tell the receiver to switch sources. I believe ARC/eARC remains functional in that scenario. However, now when you CAST from your phone, the receiver won't automatically switch to Chromecast. You will now have to switch sources manually. Not ideal, but a workaround.

Steve3355 · ‎01-02-2023

Your advice works! (Denon X4400H) Thanks a lot! In your opinion, how can I get the phone sound to go through the amplifier when mirroring? For now the sound is on the TV.

loki2828 · ‎20-02-2023

Ryan,

My TV started having the same issue. It worked great....than both the EARC HDMI and OPTICAL OUT both stopped working. tested and retested... Now Costco (where I bought it) wants to replace parts to fix it. Did your issues ever get resolved? If so how?