Hey guys, I am very confused right now about the same original question and I hope someone can help me.
I have a PS5, a Sony XH9005 (HDMI 2.1 on HDMI port No. 3 (eARC) and No. 4) and a Sony BDV-E2100 (HDMI 2.0). I want to have the best audio and video out of it, so I want to be able to use the HDMI 2.1 features. Unfotunately, it seems that this is not going to work. I have connected my PS5 via a HDMI 2.1 cable to the HDMI 2.1 Port (No. 4) on my TV and set this Input to Optimal Format in the TV settings (required to really use HDMI 2.1). This works fine for the video, so I can see 4K@120Hz for example. Then I have connected my AVR to the HDMI (e)ARC Port (No. 3) of my TV.
Now, when I want to set up the audio, I go to the PS5 settings and select AVR as Output Device (the only one available, except of my USB headset), set the channels to 5.1, adjust the postions of the speakers and then I selected Linear PCM. There is no lag with the sound, but I have no real surround sound. I have googled it and read, that ARC is not able to passthrough Linear PCM and convert it from 5.1 to 2.1 channels.
So I changed the PS5 audio settings from Linear PCM to Bitstream (DTS), but then there is a lag. Not much, but I hate it, especially in Shooter Games. When I go to a wall and shoot on it, I can see the bullet hole before the sound comes. I have read, that this is also an issue of ARC in relation with bitstream and it is also not the best sound, right? Linear PCM is better for games, right?
I have struggled with my TV and AVR settings, but it seems, that this is not really working.
I have selected Bitstream (DTS) in the PS5 settings and in the TV settings I have selected to passthrough compressed audio data directly. This is ooook, but not great. I have used these settings for months now, but when the last firmware update of the TV was released, the sound crashes and is metallic (fully unable to play, its just noise). I have to go to the TV settings then and change the Passthorugh mode to another setting and back, then it works like before. That used to happen every time, I started my system(s) and now it happens even when I just change the game. Maybe due to different audio types? Idk.
Can someone help me with this? Are my information right about Linear PCM and Bitstream in relations with ARC? What do I have to do (buy
) to get the best sound and full HDMI 2.1 support? Since there is no Optical output on the PS5 anymore, I think it is a HDMI 2.1 AVR, right? Any recommendations?