Need help solving a mysterious SmartTV problem.

[Tico]

I have a Samsung "SmartTV" that can receive the signal from my wireless Internet router.
Using its tiny remote I can (awkwardly) surf the net, including videos on Youtube.
It also can open my Netflix account.
Cool.

The problem:
Using the TV's internal speaker I can hear the audio for both Youtube and Netflix.
But when using my Bose S1 Pro as the external speaker I can hear Youtube's audio but not Netflix's.
Netflix is silent no mater how much I turn up the volume on the Bose.

BTW the SmartTV does not have bluetooth so I have to get the audio into the Bose using a cable.

I can't figure this out.
The only audio output jack on the back of the TV is one of those digital optical jacks.
I bought this converter with analog RCA output jacks.
Then an RCA to 3.5mm stereo (tip ring and sleeve) cable connects to the Bose.

Attachment 11802


I even tried swapping the cable's left and right RCA plugs just in case Netflix is only outputting audio on one of the two stereo channels which the Bose doesn't get (since it's mono).
That didn't fix it.
Why can I hear audio for Youtube, but not Netflix?

Any ideas?

[Tico]

A second separate problem.

Even on Youtube the audio volume control at the Bose is weird.
The sound is clear and beautiful, but too loud.
The volume knob doesn't work right.

As you turn it up from zero volume the volume does not gradually go up.
At some point of the know the volume goes from silent to VERY loud.
If you turn it up more it does go even louder; it's just impossible to adjust it to a low volume.
It's WAY too loud to watch in a bedroom at night.

BTW, the remote's volume control is not functional when an external speaker is hooked up.

[robj144]

I don't know anything about Samsung's because I have an LG, but on LG's in the settings, you need to tell the audio to go to an external speaker or to play out of both an external speaker and the TV's speakers.

[Tico]

Originally Posted by robj144

I don't know anything about Samsung's because I have an LG, but on LG's in the settings, you need to tell the audio to go to an external speaker or to play out of both an external speaker and the TV's speakers.

Thanks.
I did that.

I had to in order to hear Youtube's audio out of the Bose speaker.

The odd thing is, without touching anything - just switching the source from Youtube to Netflix, the audio vanishes.

[srick]

Dumb question here Tico, in Netflix, is the little on-screen speaker icon x’d out, or the volume on that icon down? Various services on my desktop seem to have that inconsistency. (Ie. YouTube at full volume, while Netflix isn’t)

[Tico]

Originally Posted by srick

Dumb question here Tico, in Netflix, is the little on-screen speaker icon x’d out, or the volume on that icon down? Various services on my desktop seem to have that inconsistency. (Ie. YouTube at full volume, while Netflix isn’t)

Thanks srick.
Not a dumb question.

Yes I tried that and it's not the problem.

[Gitfiddlemann]

The odd thing is, without touching anything - just switching the source from Youtube to Netflix, the audio vanishes.

That's an important clue.
It must have to do with the type of audio signalling chain that the netflix app uses. (Assume you checked the audio settings in the Netflix app) Just wondering if it's compatible with the Bose PA system you're using.
(How do you connect the audio from the TV to the Bose PA system?)
I don't think it's the TV, the router, or the wifi signal.
Is there another separate audio source you can use to experiment? A CD deck or something like that with speakers?
Just food for thought. Hope you get it resolved.

[TBman]

I have a Samsung SmartTV also, but I've never messed around with the smart side of it much. I wonder if there are different app settings in the menu system.

[Tico]

Originally Posted by TBman

I have a Samsung SmartTV also, but I've never messed around with the smart side of it much. I wonder if there are different app settings in the menu system.

Thanks.
Yes, there are.
I've gone through them all, to no avail.

[nacluth]

I have a Samsung SmartTV and a Bose setup...though I have my optical out going straight to an optical in on my Bose. No worries with any audio though. However, I keep my TV audio down to nothing while I control all volume through my Bose remote.

Any chance:
1.) Your TV volume is low and for some reason your Netflix is relying on TV output?

2.) You may need a software/firmware update to support Netflix app completely. My “smart” Samsung DVD player where I use to watch Netflix finally dropped support of all streaming apps except Vudu.

3.) Does the Netflix volume work if the Bose is unplugged?

[Tico]

Originally Posted by nacluth

I have a Samsung SmartTV and a Bose setup...though I have my optical out going straight to an optical in on my Bose. ...

Thanks, but brand names alone are not enough for me to troubleshoot and resolve my issue.
Details would help.

Are you using an optical digital output jack on the back of your Samsung SmartTV, or does your TV have (and you are using) another kind of audio out connector like HDMI, RCA or other?
My Bose S1 Pro only has an analog 3.5mm input jack.

If you've connected an optical digital jack on your TV directly to you Bose speaker, exactly which Bose speaker model do you have which has a built-in digital optical input jack?
Maybe I'll buy that one since it apparently requires no converter.

OR, are you (like me) using a third-party box that converts optical digital to analog coax cable?
If so, what is the brand and model number of your converter?

Lastly, does your Bose speaker getting its audio from Netflix from your Samsung SmartTV ... or is there some other equipment in your signal chain?

Keep in mind my Bose S1 Pro connected to my Samsung SmartTV does deliver excellent audio from other apps (sources such as Youtube) ... but when I switch the source to Netflix the audio vanishes.

[nacluth]

I have an optical out on my TV and it goes direct to my Bose Cinemate Series 2 box. No analog cables between one and the other.

Here’s the pic of my Bose volume box.






And everything (speakers) then runs the through the woofer that has the Acoustimass Module...whatever that is.



Yes all apps sound equally good. My guess is that your issue is on the TV end, but I couldn’t say if a completely optical connection wouldn’t hurt. Good luck.

[Tico]

Thanks so much.
Your posts and pics helps.