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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Usually the receiver has not failed. The problem is the path the sound takes. Most current TVs send their own audio back to a home theater system over HDMI using Audio Return Channel (ARC) or its higher-bandwidth successor, enhanced ARC (eARC). An older receiver only joins that path when its HDMI ports, its settings, and the TV’s settings all match. When they do not, the fix is usually a different port, a menu change, or an optical or coaxial connection, not a new receiver.
The headline’s claim that this receiver “outperforms every new soundbar” is a personal judgment. This article does not test any models, rooms, or listening conditions, so it cannot confirm that comparison. Treat it as the author’s view. The guidance below is general, because the receiver, TV, and source devices are not identified.
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What changed on the TV side
Older receivers were built around HDMI video switching and, in many cases, digital optical or coaxial audio inputs. ARC was added to let a TV send its own sound, including streaming apps and built-in tuner audio, back down the same HDMI cable that carries the picture to the TV. Sony’s support article on ARC describes this one-cable return path and notes that the feature requires compatible ports on both devices. Sony also specifies a High Speed HDMI cable for ARC.
Older HDMI generations handled this differently. Denon’s owner’s manual for the AVR-2311CI, a 2010 receiver, documents an HDMI 1.4 ARC implementation that also depended on HDMI Control settings. That manual is a historical example, not evidence about your model, but it shows why a receiver from that era may need menu changes that a newer TV does not expect.
#1 Best Overall
- RCA Female to HDMI Video Converters Adapter : The cable is used to convert analog composite input to HDMI 1080p output, displayed on a 1080p HD TV/TV/monitor.
- Input ports: 1xRCA Female (Yellow, White, Red), Output ports: 1xHDMI 1.3 1080p. NOT support 3D and 4K, NOT support HDMI Converts to AV
- AV to HDMI Converter: Plug and Play, Easy to Install and Operate, Powered by External USB Cable. Note: Please hook up the USB power cable (included) to 5V 1Apower source during use (not included power supply ).
- Support PAL, NTSC3.58, NTSC4.43, SECAM, PAL/M, PAL/N standard TV formats input. For PS2,PS3,Xbox,N64,STB, VHS, VCR, DVD Players and other devices with standard composite AV input.
- You Will Get : 1x RCA Female TO HDMI Converter, 1xHDMI cable, 1xUSB cable, 1xUser Manual. ONE YEAR WARRANTY - if you are not satisfied for any reason whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact us .
Newer TVs also commonly offer eARC. A TV with eARC can send higher-bandwidth audio formats, but only if the receiver or soundbar at the other end also supports eARC. If the receiver supports only ARC, the chain falls back to ARC limits. This mismatch is the most common reason an otherwise working older receiver goes silent after a TV upgrade.
Step-by-step: check the HDMI path first
- Write down the TV and receiver model numbers and the exact symptom: no sound at all, sound only in some apps, stereo instead of multichannel, a loss of picture, or a timing mismatch between picture and sound. Each symptom points to a different check, and the manuals and support pages are model-specific.
- On the TV, find the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. Port labels differ by brand, so read the label on the TV itself and the TV manual’s HDMI section.
- On the receiver, find the matching return port. In Denon’s AVR-S760H owner’s manual, the TV connection goes to the receiver’s monitor HDMI output, not to an arbitrary HDMI input. Use the port the receiver manual labels for TV return audio.
- Use a High Speed HDMI cable. Sony specifies this class for ARC. Denon specifies High Speed HDMI with Ethernet for ARC and eARC on the AVR-S760H. If your current cable is an older standard, replace it before changing settings, because a marginal cable can look like a software fault.
- On the TV, open the sound output menu and choose the external audio system, then enable the ARC or CEC-related option if the menu offers one. Menu names vary by brand.
- On the receiver, enable HDMI Control and ARC where the manual calls for them, then select the TV input.
- Turn both devices off and back on, and test with a streaming app and a broadcast or disc source separately. Sony’s no-sound guidance recommends power-cycling as part of the basic check.
When ARC is not available: optical, coaxial, or both
If the TV or receiver lacks ARC or eARC, or the HDMI path stays silent after the steps above, a digital audio connection can carry TV sound through the receiver. Denon’s support page on playing TV audio through an AV receiver describes ARC and eARC as the primary methods and lists optical and digital coaxial as alternatives.
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- RCA to HDMI Converter: Converts analog RCA composite (Yellow, White, Red) input to HDMI 720P/1080P (60HZ) output,displayed on HDTV/Monitor,which can bring back your childhood memories.
- Plug to Play: ABLEWE Mini RCA to HDMI converter no extra drivers need, just plug and play,easy to use.Please hook up the USB power cable (included) to 5V power source during use.
- Wide Compatibility: Support source formats of PAL, NTSC3.58, NTSC4.43, SECAM, PAL/M, PAL/N standard TV. Provide advanced signal processing with great precision, colors, resolutions, and details.
- Widely Used:Widely applied to PS2,PS3,Xbox,N64, WII, STB, VHS, VCR, DVD Players and other devices with standard composite AV input.
- Attention & Package:Please ensure to connect this rca to hdmi converter to power source to make it work.Package include:1*RCA to HDMI Converter,1*usb power cable(adapter not included),1*User Manual.
| Connection | What it needs | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC | ARC-labeled port on the TV and a matching return port on the receiver | Port labels, High Speed HDMI cable, and the ARC/CEC settings on both devices |
| HDMI eARC | eARC support on both the TV and the receiver or soundbar | Whether the receiver’s manual lists eARC; if it does not, eARC formats are not available |
| Optical digital audio | Optical output on the TV and optical input on the receiver | Select the receiver’s optical input and a TV output format the receiver accepts |
| Digital coaxial | Coaxial output on the TV and coaxial input on the receiver | Use only if both devices have the port; Denon’s support page names it as an option where both devices support it |
For optical, open the TV’s sound output menu, choose the optical or digital output, and set the output format to one the receiver manual lists as accepted. Then select the receiver’s optical input. The receiver manual lists the formats it decodes, and that list decides which TV setting to use.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteARC versus eARC: what the formats mean
ARC returns TV audio over HDMI and can carry device control features, such as using one remote, depending on the equipment. eARC is the higher-bandwidth version. Sony’s support article on eARC, updated 31 August 2026, gives a bandwidth of up to 37 Mb/s and lists the following eARC formats:
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- Connect Classic RCA Devices to HDMI Displays: Bring older AV equipment back into use by converting yellow, white and red composite RCA signals into HDMI output for newer TVs, monitors and projectors. Choose between 720P and 1080P output at 60Hz to match your display. Please note that this av to hdmi adapter is built specifically for connecting an RCA/AV source to an HDMI display; it cannot convert an HDMI source to RCA/AV.
- Complete 3-Cable Set Included: Includes separate RCA, HDMI and Micro USB cables for video/audio connection, HDMI output and power. The RCA and HDMI cables are detachable for flexible placement and use with compatible equipment. USB power is required for operation. A Micro USB cable is included; a 5V/1A power adapter is not included.
- Selectable 720P and 1080P Output: Use the built-in resolution switch to select 720P or 1080P output at 60Hz based on your TV or monitor. No software or drivers are required. Connect the RCA source, HDMI display and USB power, then select the desired output resolution.
- Compatibility with Legacy AV Devices: Compatible with RCA-output VCRs, VHS players, DVD players, set-top boxes and karaoke systems, as well as compatible PS1, PS2, PS3, Xbox, Wii, N64, SNES and GameCube systems using RCA/AV output. Supports PAL, NTSC3.58, NTSC4.43, SECAM, PAL/M and PAL/N analog input formats.
- HDMI Output Based on the Original Source:Converts an analog RCA signal to HDMI output with selectable resolution up to 1080P. The av to hdmi converter changes the signal format but does not turn lower-resolution VHS footage or classic game graphics into native HD content. Final picture quality depends on the original source, connected equipment and display. For stable operation, connect the included USB power cable to a 5V/1A USB power source.
- Uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 multichannel audio
- Dolby Atmos
- DTS:X
- DTS-HD Master Audio
- Dolby TrueHD
The 37 Mb/s figure is a stated ceiling from Sony, not a throughput measured on your setup. The formats are available only when both connected devices support eARC and the source and app send them. A TV app that outputs stereo will stay stereo regardless of the cable. The lowest-capability device in the chain sets the format you receive.
When the TV is connected correctly but there is still no sound
Sony’s troubleshooting page for no sound with ARC and eARC describes several checks. Match the symptom to the likely cause:
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- Convert RCA to HDMI Instantly – BD&M RCA to HDMI Converter easily converts analog RCA/composite AV signals to HDMI output, allowing you to connect older devices to modern HDTVs, monitors, and projectors with clear video and audio quality.
- Wide Device Compatibility – Supports VHS players, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, retro gaming consoles, and more including PS1, PS2, PS3, Xbox, N64, Wii, and older AV devices with standard RCA output.
- 1080P HDMI Output – Advanced signal processing delivers stable and sharp video output with support for 720P/1080P HDMI resolution, improving compatibility with modern TVs and displays.
- Plug & Play Setup – No drivers or software required. Simply connect the RCA cables, HDMI cable, and included USB power cable for quick and easy installation in minutes.
- Compact & Reliable Design – Lightweight mini converter design makes it perfect for home entertainment setups, retro gaming, travel, or converting old media collections while maintaining stable performance.
- Silence on some broadcast or video sources but not others. Sony notes that DTS or Dolby Digital incompatibility can cause silence for some broadcast or video formats. Change the TV’s audio format setting to one the receiver accepts, then retest the same source.
- Sound only from the TV speakers. The receiver input is not selected, or the TV has not been set to send audio to the external system. Recheck both menus.
- Stereo only. The TV or app is sending stereo, or the chain has fallen back to ARC because one device lacks eARC. Check the receiver manual for eARC support.
- Picture or audio dropouts after changing HDMI Control settings. This points to CEC interaction. Sony notes that a CEC-less cable or adapter may help in some cases. This is an advanced, model-dependent step, and it should come after the menu checks, not before.
- Lip-sync drift. Record it as a separate symptom. The manuals for each device list any audio delay setting, and that is the place to start.
Cables cannot add ARC to a device that lacks it
A new cable cannot give a receiver or TV ARC or eARC support that the hardware does not have. Check both device manuals for ARC or eARC before buying anything. If both devices support it, a High Speed HDMI cable is the right class. If only optical or coaxial ports match, buy the matching digital audio cable only after confirming the port type on both devices.
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When the receiver itself is the limit
A receiver from fifteen years ago may still power speakers well and remain a good amplifier while lacking newer video features. Check the HDMI section of the receiver manual for the HDMI version, the video formats it passes, and the audio formats it decodes, then compare that list with the sources and display you use. Do not replace the receiver until you know which function is missing. Many cases that look like a dead receiver are port, setting, or format mismatches.
Best Value
- RCA to HDMI Converter: Converts analog RCA composite (Yellow, White, Red) input to HDMI 720P/1080P output on HDTVs/Monitors. Only support RCA to HDMI. NOT Support HDMI to RCA!
- Plug to Play: AV to HDMI converter doesn't need extra drivers, just plug and play, easy to use. Please hook up the USB power cable (included) to 5V power adapter when using this RCA to HDMI adapter.
- Wide Compatibility: This av hdmi converter supports for all standard TV formats such as PAL, NTSC3.58, NTSC4.43, SECAM, PAL/M, PAL/N. Provide advanced signal processing and make videos come to life.
- Extensive Use: Composite to HDMI converter widely applied to PS2, PS3, Xbox, N64, WII, STB, VHS, VCR, DVD Players and other devices with standard composite AV input.
- Attention & Package: Please ensure to connect this rca to hdmi converter to power source to make it work. Package include: 1x RCA to HDMI Converter, 1* Micro USB cable (adapter not included), 1*User Manual. Please free feel to contact us if you have any product problems.
Verdict on the soundbar claim
Whether this receiver beats a particular soundbar depends on the models, the room, and the content, and this article does not test any of those. What the manufacturer documentation supports is narrower and more useful: an older receiver can usually keep working with a modern TV when the ports, cable, settings, and audio formats line up. If they cannot line up, the receiver’s amplifier may still be worth keeping while you use an optical or coaxial connection, or the TV or receiver’s eARC support may be the real constraint.
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