Samsung QN900B eARC problem with Denon AVC-X4800

[Vigier]

Hi,

Just started using Samsung QN900B 8K TV and Denon AVC-X4800. Both are great products but I can't make eARC work. There are continuous audio dropouts both with TV programs and streaming apps when using Dolby Surround or Dolby Atmos. Only two channel PCM audio works with eARC. Samsung support re-installed TV's firmware and replaced main board of One Connect Box but it didn't help. Denon support re-installed latest firmware on AVC-X4800  and replaced HDMI card but it didn't help either. Both Samsung and Denon said that this was all they could do to solve the issue. 5 different HDMI cables were tested, certified and non-certified but it did not help. Also several different combinations of settings have been tested.

When reporting findings back to Samsung, they said that there is a possibility for incompatibility like this between Samsung and third party products. Before returning TV and receiver and trying some other products it would be nice hear from other users of Samsung-Denon product combination if you have experienced similar incompatibility issues and managed to solve them.  Also information about known working product combinations are highly appreciated when it comes to eARC between 8K TV and AVR.  Thank you in advance for your feedback!

[Corboid · Accepted solution]

Try the latest firmware for Denon dated April 2024.

[elzago]

I had a very similar problem related to several other models of Samsung TV and two models of Denon receivers. For instance, related to the Samsung QN85B Vs Denon AVR X4200 and Denon AVR X3700. Samsung also changed the main boards, etc., but the problem was not solved, and they told me the same words... They can only assure compatibility if both products are Samsung. It's insane, because while both Denons couldn't work well in the eArc  function when connected to Samsung TVs, both worked perfectly with my 9-year-old LG TV. The conclusion is that Samsung TV has a problem with eARC compatibility in their TVs that they are not interested in solving. It's my opinion. For this reason, the solution I got by myself to solve it was buying an Amazon Fire Stick, which provides a better audio signal than is possible with the Samsung TV Optical connection. With the fire stick, you can process all audio signals . This way, I just stream channels like Disney etc. on the Fire Stick.         

[Peterkramberger]

I have s90c 77 and denon 2800 erac dont work .and every 3 days the denon icon is gone.i must restart tv than is back.it was no problem whit philips oled.🥵

[Corboid]

About eARC - check if you updated the firmware (April 2024). This version solves Denon’s eARC issues with Samsung TVs.

About the icon it sounds like you did not set up AVR connection correctly (it’s mostly plug and play)

[Members_q6Pok6p]

Samsung TV QN85C combo with Denon AVR-X3300W experiencing sound clipping every couple of seconds when using eARC and multi-channel signal. PCM works fine.  Unfortunately X3300W is a bit outdated and didn't receive firmware update this year. I tried to contact Denon support https://www.denon.com/en-us/support/contact-us.html via message, but since message receipt confirmation it's absolute silence from Denon for a few months already. My X3300W has firmware version 8700-4058-9103 and Update/Upgrade options telling me no updates available (tried to search for update both on WiFi and Ethernet). So it seems it's pretty done, using optical out to connect TV>AVR with it's own limitations. Signed in just to leave info for others about Samsung QN85C and Denon X3300W combo eARC issues.

 

[fsang84]

Denon AVR-X3300W does not even have eARC, so this is a different problem.

[Corboid]

You can always use an eARC extractor, a simple gadget taking the eARC return audio signal and directing it to a normal HDMI port.

Of course this requires that you have a spare HDMI input on the AVR.

i used this solution with an AVR2803 before I purchased an X4800H

[fsang84]

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@Corboid wrote:

You can always use an eARC extractor, a simple gadget taking the eARC return audio signal and directing it to a normal HDMI port.

Of course this requires that you have a spare HDMI input on the AVR.

i used this solution with an AVR2803 before I purchased an X4800H

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Sure you can. But @Members_q6Pok6p did not mention any eARC extractor. With just the QN85C/AVR-X3300W combo the TV would only do regular ARC, not enhanced ARC.

And even if an eARC extractor would be part of the chain, I would start blaming the extractor (and/or the HDMI cables) instead of the TV or the AVR.

@Members_q6Pok6p Instead of HDMI/ARC you could also use an optical cable. But again, this is off-topic in this thread.

[Corboid]

When your AVR does not support eARC buying an eARC extractor for around USD40 is a workable solution far better than optical cable.  

According to the 3300W’s spec ARC should work unless Denon misunderstood and screwed up this standard.

[Members_q6Pok6p]

Sorry, you are right, it is ARC not eARC. But since my googling lead me to this thread ant symptoms are 1:1 (audio clipping every few or several seconds during Dolby soundtrack), I supose Samsung new televisions incombatibility with Denon AVRs (or vice versa if you prefer) is the root cause.

Yes I do use optical instead, but its a bit clunky. On QN85C, if I want Dolby through optical I have to manually change Sound Output to Receiver only. Simultaneous output (TV speaker + optical) push PCM only. My 12 years old LG managed to output DD through optical simultaneously with TV speakers without changing any settings, you only had to turn TV volume down. But anyway, at least I found a possible way to passthrough DD to AVR.

Cheers!