FAQ
TL;DR: Fix "no sound" by setting the Samsung LE40C550’s optical output to PCM or Dolby Digital 5.1—"Set SPDIF Output to PCM or Dolby Digital." This routes TV audio to a Pioneer VSX‑324 when HDMI/DVI is video‑only. [Samsung LE40C550 User Manual]
Why it matters: For Pioneer VSX‑324 owners, this restores TV sound fast and avoids chasing the wrong cables or settings.
Quick Facts
- LE40C550 optical out may work only for digital broadcast channels; HDMI sources might not pass via SPDIF. [Elektroda, CodeBoy, post #17093991]
- Full setup on the VSX‑324 is “almost impossible without a remote”; use OEM or an IR‑blaster phone. [Elektroda, CodeBoy, post #17092831]
- HDMI IN (DVI) on LE40C550 expects DVI video; use separate audio or the TV’s optical out for sound. [*Samsung LE40C550 User Manual*]
- SPDIF formats: PCM stereo or Dolby Digital up to 5.1 channels on Samsung TVs. [*Samsung LE40C550 User Manual*]
- Analog fallback works: TV headphone out to AVR analog input (3.5 mm to 2xRCA) restores sound. [Elektroda, miodzio86, post #17098699]
Why is there no sound from my Samsung TV into the Pioneer over optical?
On the LE40C550, enable the TV’s Audio > "SPDIF Output" setting. Its optical output can work only for digital broadcast channels. If you watch HDMI or analog inputs, SPDIF may be silent. Test with a DVB‑T channel, then select PCM or Dolby Digital. "Find 'SPDIF Output' in the audio on TV." [Elektroda, CodeBoy, post #17093991]
Does the HDMI IN (DVI) port on my Samsung carry audio to the receiver?
HDMI IN (DVI) supports DVI‑type video. In DVI mode, the TV expects separate audio and does not return TV audio to the AVR. For sound, use the TV’s optical output or the matching audio input for that HDMI/DVI connection. [Samsung LE40C550 User Manual]
Do I need the Pioneer remote to configure inputs and speakers?
Yes. Full configuration is "almost impossible without a remote." Use the original Pioneer remote or a phone with an IR blaster and a remote‑emulator app. This lets you assign inputs, set speaker levels, and run setup. [Elektroda, CodeBoy, post #17092831]
How should I connect a console or Blu‑ray to get sound on the VSX‑324?
Connect the console or BD player to the receiver’s HDMI inputs (GAME or BD). The setup was confirmed to produce sound when the console fed HDMI into the amplifier. Select the matching input on the receiver. [Elektroda, miodzio86, post #17092857]
Can I use the TV’s headphone jack to feed the receiver?
Yes. Use a 3.5 mm to 2xRCA cable from the TV’s headphone output into an analog input on the Pioneer. This restored TV audio to the speakers in the reported setup. [Elektroda, miodzio86, post #17098699]
How do I troubleshoot a silent surround speaker on the VSX‑324?
Try this: 1) Swap the silent speaker with a known good one. 2) Swap speaker wires and receiver channels to check the cable and binding posts. 3) Perform a factory reset and retest that channel. "Reset this Pioneer to factory settings." [Elektroda, CodeBoy, post #17098734]
Could my VSX‑324 have a blown channel?
Yes, if the same channel stays silent after swapping speakers and cables, and after a reset. "Either a badly configured receiver or a burnt power amplifier." That failure needs service if wiring checks pass. [Elektroda, CodeBoy, post #17098362]
Which SPDIF output should I choose—PCM or Dolby Digital?
Choose PCM for stereo content. Use Dolby Digital for channels carrying a Dolby Digital bitstream. On the LE40C550, the Dolby option can remain unavailable unless the current source supports it, as reported in the thread. [Elektroda, miodzio86, post #17094070]
Why doesn’t the HDMI indicator light when I select TV on the Pioneer?
The HDMI LED lights only when the receiver detects an HDMI signal on that input. In the thread, GAME lights HDMI, but TV shows "no signal" and no HDMI LED. Select a real HDMI source or use optical for TV audio. [Elektroda, miodzio86, post #17093187]
Will an external DVB‑T tuner get TV sound to the receiver?
Yes. Feeding the receiver via HDMI from an external DVB‑T tuner produced sound in the speakers. That proves the receiver and speakers are OK, and points to the TV’s audio output path or settings. [Elektroda, miodzio86, post #17094070]
Do I need a second HDMI cable when routing a console through the receiver?
Yes. Use one HDMI from the console to a receiver HDMI input and another from the receiver’s HDMI OUT to the TV. Then select the correct input on the receiver. This is the standard pass‑through path. [HDMI]
Can I get TV audio without optical by using HDMI ARC/CEC?
Possibly. ARC returns TV audio over HDMI, but both TV and AVR must support ARC and HDMI‑CEC. Enable CEC/ARC on both devices and use the TV’s ARC‑labeled port. HDMI carries up to 8‑channel LPCM over one cable. If ARC is absent, use optical. [HDMI]
