Sound Bars, TCL TVs and HDMI ARC...HELP!?

[CLturner22]

Alright. I'm pissed.

I have one of those WONDERFUL TCL 48 inch TVs in my Momentum 350M's "Living Room". I also purchased a wonderful little Polk Magnifi Mini Soundbar (nice little system).

The Problem:

• TCL saw fit to put no real OUTPUTS on this damn TV! There is a (useless) analog SPDIF output, but NO AUX outputs. There is NO Optical output (ridiculous).
• There is, on HDMI 2, an "Audio Return Channel" (HDMI ARC) -- which is a half-baked technology that is the best thing since sharpend bricks (as a kids toy), to be introduced in the Tech world.
• The "manual" from TCL has gone to great lengths to be the LEAST helpful in relation to implementing and instructing the activation of HDMI ARC functionality.

Background - in theory, the HDMI ARC (HDMI 2) should allow audio to pass through and be sent to the Sound Bar from any of the TV's sources. But, if you look around on the Internet, you'll see it's a very problematic technology.

So, other than just burning this TV and buying a new one that is actually useful, has ANYONE gotten the HDMI ARC function to work?
If so, how? What magic?

Has anyone tried an HDMI Audio Extractor with the 48" TCL?

HELP!!!

-CL

[Porter4dmfd]

Doesn't things like this make you wonder who specs the electronics at GD? They must get good deals on lots of antiquated equipment.

[Paul & Deb]

I replaced it with a new, larger, Samsung smart TV. What a freakin' improvement. I also added a Samsung sound bar and a SONY BluRay player. My system is wired completely separate from the POS Jensen or Furrion head unit.

Good quality TVs and electronics are just too cheap to keep messing with the crap GD puts in their trailers.

Just my opinion

[offtohavasu]

I use ARC on all my receivers at home with my TVs. I have had zero issues with him, and plan on setting up the same way in the trailer.

Also, the Jensen receivers also support ARC now as well.

[CLturner22]

I use ARC on all my receivers at home with my TVs. I have had zero issues with him, and plan on setting up the same way in the trailer.

Also, the Jensen receivers also support ARC now as well.

Well, if you get it to work with TCL, please let the world know!

In the mean time, how did you do it? I've followed every instruction know to man; and I'm no slouch with things like this.

[CLturner22]

I replaced it with a new, larger, Samsung smart TV. What a freakin' improvement. I also added a Samsung sound bar and a SONY BluRay player. My system is wired completely separate from the POS Jensen or Furrion head unit.

Good quality TVs and electronics are just too cheap to keep messing with the crap GD puts in their trailers.

Just my opinion

Agreed.

Just not quite in a position to replace the TV yet. Although, it and the Furion crap is on the short list.

[CLturner22]

Doesn't things like this make you wonder who specs the electronics at GD? They must get good deals on lots of antiquated equipment.

Yeah, but I don't really blame GD. Some of this stuff is put in by dealers (they buy a package from GD, sans TV's, etc.) then put in what they want.

Just stupid to put in a unit without ANY real outputs...seriously.

[offtohavasu]

As far as the receivers, I hooked one end of the HDMI to the ARC supported HDMI port on the TV and then the ARC supported port on the receiver. I went in to receiver setting and turned on ARC support.

What model TCL do you have? That would help a lot.

[Chiefblueman]

I was able to get the hdmi arc to work with the 40 inch TCL in my 315 and sound bar. However, every time I turned the TV off I had to go through the TCL's menu to reactivate the arc. PITA. Contacted TCL, what a joke. They wanted photos and to open an ongoing claim with me transporting the set to a repair facility. I called Grand Design customer service. I was given 2 choices. I could have them send me a replacement TCL POS, or he would authorize me to replace the TV with a set of my choice, including the cost of extended service contract. 😂 Decisions decisions. What to do?
My new Samsung smart TV operates perfectly with the Samsung sound bar and sub woofer,

[SkiSmuggs]

I replaced it with a new, larger, Samsung smart TV. What a freakin' improvement. I also added a Samsung sound bar and a SONY BluRay player. My system is wired completely separate from the POS Jensen or Furrion head unit.

Good quality TVs and electronics are just too cheap to keep messing with the crap GD puts in their trailers.

Just my opinion

We still think alike. Replaced the Vizio in my Cougar after the second failure with a Samsung that weighed less than half as much, got a Yamaha ATS 1060 soundbar with built-in sub woofer and a Sony Bluray player. The only time I ever turn on the Jensen is for radio (almost never).