[IamFODI]

I have a TV that does 4k HDR but won't pass the surround sound formats I want through HDMI (ARC).

I might start using a receiver that can handle those surround formats but can't do HDR.

Thus:
1. If I go source -> receiver -> TV, I lose HDR video
2. If I go source -> TV -> receiver (through ARC), I lose audio formats.

So now I'm looking at HDMI splitters: one output goes to the TV, one to the receiver. But I'm not seeing anything that guarantees I'll get what I want. Many look at the EDID from both connected output devices and pick the best common features, which I think means I'd lose both HDR and audio formats. Others claim to be able to handle different video resolutions on different outputs but I haven't yet seen that they'll do the same for audio.

Anyone know of a splitter that can maximize the capabilities of each connected output device independently?

[Crimson92]

Curious as to why you want a splitter over a receiver. Almost all modern receivers / avrs support HDR/high end audio options.

I have a Denon X4300h. Few years old now but gets the job done.

Might sell soon to get some newer features but that's besides the point.

[dsad1]

Are you sure you would lose hdr? Wouldn't the TV still process it? Most receivers will let you pass through the video.

[Nuckle]

What are you trying to accomplish and maybe that will help us help you?

[IamFODI]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

Curious as to why you want a splitter over a receiver.

Originally Posted by Nuckle

What are you trying to accomplish and maybe that will help us help you?

This is for an entirely optional project, largely for the geek value. If it's not doable, it's NBD. I just want to see if there's an easy way to use this receiver with this TV without losing anything.

Originally Posted by dsad1

Are you sure you would lose hdr? Wouldn't the TV still process it? Most receivers will let you pass through the video.

I wish that were the case. I don't think any of these devices will just pass the bitstream blindly like an extender would. There's always some amount of processing.

[stevenc]

Can you run toslink back to the receiver?

[IamFODI]

Originally Posted by stevenc

Can you run toslink back to the receiver?

Good call. Don't think it'll work for various reasons but was looking into it. Are you thinking about suggesting one of those audio extractors?

[stevenc]

No. This is how i have my system set up.

Source - HDMI - TV. Then TV Toslink out to Receiver.

I have 4 HDMI's going directly into the TV, then i use the Toslink out of the TV to send the audio signal back to my receiver.

[GenXer]

A new receiver is the most elegant solution. I have everything input to receiver via HMDI (X box, Play Station, Blueray, Apple TV) then output 1 to TV with HDMI and output 2 to projector. I also have a Toslink from TV audio out to receiver so I can listen to my TV in full stereo. I think my receiver supports ARC as well but not sure if it's sending surround signal back to the receiver so I just left the fiber optics cable there just in case. Then it's just a matter or selecting output and input from the receiver.

Make sure your TV, HDMI cable and receiver can accommodate HDCP 2.2 and HDR 2.0 otherwise they won't play nice with each other.

[gtr2M3]

Originally Posted by stevenc

Can you run toslink back to the receiver?

Doing this will work but won’t pass high res audio which may or not be an issue if maximizing sound quality is important

[c1pher]

It sounds like you need a switch unless I’m misunderstanding. I have a rocketfish splitter that can handle 4K hdr and Atmos. It works well with my harmony remote for the additional commands to switch HDMI ports.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocketf...?skuId=5055100

I have my PS4 Pro, Apple TV 4K and Nvidia Shield all going into the hdmi ports on the switch and then to my Samsung/ HK sound bar and works for me. HDMI out from sound bar goes to TV.

[eluded]

Time for new TV

[HFW003]

I have a $10 switch from eBay, works a treat,

Have PS4, Apple TV, and Foxtel plugged into mine.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I can help.

ARC doesn't support full-quality audio, but the new "eARC" (enhanced audio return channel) that's part of HDMI 2.1 would work but you probably don't have HDMI 2.1 hardware as it's brand new.

TosLink also doesn't fully support all audio formats and resolutions. This is definitely not the best way to go.

You can get a HDMI splitter that supports 18Gbps throughput (required for 4K HDR), and you can even assign the EDID to one specific output so you still get 4K HDR even when you're splitting the signal with a non-4K HDR device. This will enable you to send your 4K HDR video to your monitor, and your multi-channel audio to your audio device separately.

Side note: if you don't spoof the EDID your source device will only output to the highest common denominators.

The only problem with the splitter is complexity from an additional device/cables (not an huge deal) and cost as the 18 Gbps splitter and 18Gbps HDMI cables will likely add up to be a few hundred dollars (this splitter is ~$340 alone). For that reason I suggest you consider a new AV receiver but you can make that decision yourself.

I've used this unit from Atlona on many projects. HDMI can be quite flaky so I really suggest you avoid crappy HDMI switches and splitters like they have COVID. They're more problems than they're worth in my professional opinion.

https://atlona.com/product/at-ron-442/

[IamFODI]

Thanks, everyone, for the input.

Turns out there’s more than one device that does what I wanted. The one I settled on was the simplest: HDFury’s AVR Key.

I’m well aware that the “real” solution is to get an AVR or pre/pro with the features I want. The point of this experiment was to see if I could use an Integra DHC-60.5 pre/pro (apologies for calling it a receiver), which I picked up for a song. Turns out I can. There are minor (to me) caveats that I can describe if anyone cares, but where it counts, the AVR Key seems to work exactly as advertised: the TV gets uncompromised video up to 4K 60 FPS with HDR, and the pre/pro gets an uncompromised audio bitstream. Very pleased with the result!

[dsad1]

I am a little confused, maybe I am not understanding the issue.

But the link for the 60.5 you posted says it can do 4K pass through, isn't that all you need?

[IamFODI]

It’ll do 4k but not HDR.

[dsad1]

Originally Posted by IamFODI

It’ll do 4k but not HDR.

Thanks, I see that now. They didn't add it until the 60.7.