TCL 65" No volume when connected to DStv Explorer

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Bonline

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I bought a TCL 65" Google TV. I did basic setup. I connected my DSTV Explorer to HDMI (tried all 3). I get all DSTV functionality EXCEPT for Volume.
 
If your DSTV decoder audio output has been set to 'SURROUND (5.1 channel) - fixed output', then the DSTV decoder's volume control capability is DISABLED - you can ONLY use the TV volume control to adjust the volume - the DSTV remote volume control has NO effect at all.

If you set the DSTV decoder audio output to 'STEREO (2 channel) - variable output', then the DSTV decoder's volume control capability is ENABLED - you now have volume control adjustment via EITHER the TV or DSTV volume control.
 
Also - make sure that the DSTV decoder is plugged into the TV's HDMI input socket that is labelled (eARC or ARC), which enables HDMI-CEC capabilities for the TV & DSTV decoder - for example, one-button ON/OFF to power up / turn off both devices.
 
There are sounds on the tv when you work with setup selecting different features.

When DStv is connected everything shows and works except there is no Volume on DStv
 
Which remote are you using to 'try & adjust the sound' when the TV is set to the HDMI input for the DSTV decoder? - Are you using the DSTV remote's Volume + & Volume - keys, or are you using the TV set's Volume + & Volume - keys?

Try pressing the Volume + keys on BOTH remotes - AFTER you have used the TV remote to set the TV volume to 50 (half-way) & see if you get sound.
 
Check that your sound output is via HDMI, it may be set to optical or coax. Check the tv sound input also via hdmi. These are all settings in both the tv and the decoder.

If that fails, try a different hdmi cable.
 
What trouble shooting steps have you taken so far? Please try to be very disruptive, failing that get a DSTV installer.
 
Step 1. Disconnect DSTV decoder HDMI cable from the back of the TV set.
Step 2. Turn on TV, make sure you have set up the Smart TV functionality by connecting it to the internet via either wi-fi or a LAN cable, then adding in your Google GMAIL email address & password as required during the initialisation setup procedure.
Step 3. Open the YouTube app, select a video and play it.
Step 4. Adjust the TV volume until you can hear sound clearly - Volume higher than 0 (somewhere around 15-50 usually should be sufficient).
Step 5. Stop the YouTube video.
Step 6. Turn on the DSTV decoder & plug the HDMI cable from it into one of the HDMI ports at the back of the TV - use either HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 (check which of the HDMI ports on the TV has eARC or ARC labelled for it & plug the DSTV decoder's HDMI cable in to it)
Step 7. Use the TV remote to go to the TV home screen & select the HDMI 1 or 2 input - the same one you just plugged the DSTV decoder into - Leave the TV volume where it was for the YouTube video.
Step 8 . Select a channel on DSTV and see if you get a picture & sound - if there's a picture but NO sound, then try increasing the volume on the DSTV remote (NOT the TV remote) to its maximum setting.
Step 9. Go into the DSTV audio settings & make sure it is set to SURROUND (Fixed Output) - that disables the DSTV remote's volume functionality, so you ONLY use the TV remote to adjust the sound from the DSTV decoder.
Step 10. If for some reason, you prefer to use the DSTV remote to change channels AND adjust the volume as well, you will have to set the DSTV decoder's audio settings to STEREO (Variable Output) - that will allow you to set a preferred maximum volume setting on the TV & then ONLY use the DSTV remote to decrease or increase the DSTV audio within that range (try setting the TV sound level to 50 and then ONLY adjust the DSTV sound level with the DSTV remote control).
Step 11. If there's STILL no sound from the DSTV decoder (but just picture), then you may have to go into the TV settings and set the digital audio input settings to HDMI (PCM) or AUTO, which may then enable the digital HDMI audio stream output to your TV.
Step 12. Also set the TV settings for HDMI-CEC & eARC connectivity to either AUTO or ON, to allow one remote to power on or off both devices.

If NONE of this enables DSTV audio, then get a qualified DSTV installer to check that both your DSTV decoder & TV can be connected successfully via HDMI.
 
Last edited:
Ivan Leon said:
Step 1. Disconnect DSTV decoder HDMI cable from the back of the TV set.
Step 2. Turn on TV, make sure you have set up the Smart TV functionality by connecting it to the internet via either wi-fi or a LAN cable, then adding in your Google GMAIL email address & password as required during the initialisation setup procedure.
Step 3. Open the YouTube app, select a video and play it.
Step 4. Adjust the TV volume until you can hear sound clearly - Volume higher than 0 (somewhere around 15-50 usually should be sufficient).
Step 5. Stop the YouTube video.
Step 6. Turn on the DSTV decoder & plug the HDMI cable from it into one of the HDMI ports at the back of the TV - use either HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 (check which of the HDMI ports on the TV has eARC or ARC labelled for it & plug the DSTV decoder's HDMI cable in to it)
Step 7. Use the TV remote to go to the TV home screen & select the HDMI 1 or 2 input - the same one you just plugged the DSTV decoder into - Leave the TV volume where it was for the YouTube video.
Step 8 . Select a channel on DSTV and see if you get a picture & sound - if there's a picture but NO sound, then try increasing the volume on the DSTV remote (NOT the TV remote) to its maximum setting.
Step 9. Go into the DSTV audio settings & make sure it is set to SURROUND (Fixed Output) - that disables the DSTV remote's volume functionality, so you ONLY use the TV remote to adjust the sound from the DSTV decoder.
Step 10. If for some reason, you prefer to use the DSTV remote to change channels AND adjust the volume as well, you will have to set the DSTV decoder's audio settings to STEREO (Variable Output) - that will allow you to set a preferred maximum volume setting on the TV & then ONLY use the DSTV remote to decrease or increase the DSTV audio within that range (try setting the TV sound level to 50 and then ONLY adjust the DSTV sound level with the DSTV remote control).
Step 11. If there's STILL no sound from the DSTV decoder (but just picture), then you may have to go into the TV settings and set the digital audio input settings to HDMI (PCM) or AUTO, which may then enable the digital HDMI audio stream output to your TV.
Step 12. Also set the TV settings for HDMI-CEC & eARC connectivity to either AUTO or ON, to allow one remote to power on or off both devices.

If NONE of this enables DSTV audio, then get a qualified DSTV installer to check that both your DSTV decoder & TV can be connected successfully via HDMI.
Click to expand...
 
Wow Leon. Thanks a lot. It sounds like I am getting somewhere. Just some questions which you may be able to help with please:


1. I will follow all your steps carefully tomorrow. If it WORKS and does not need data/wifi constantly to keep viewing my DStv Explorer then I will keep the TCL only if I can utilise both sources of volume I.e. the TCL 100% volume plus my DStv 20% to 40% volume At the same time ! as I am hearing impaired.


2. Here are two images attached, which are extracts from the TCL Google TV OPERATION MANUAL: (page 8) in Introduction under sub header: Sockets and connections.


Just a mini-plug cable is needed. Where and how it is plugged in is not described.

If I have bought a glorified DATA eater.... and not a normal TV I will also be returning it very very quickly.

This Google TV name is very very suspect.

Will update you soon.

PS:
3. May I post this reply online? You could well have solved this problem?
 

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