Has anyone had issues with trying to get the steam deck to work with a receiver? I tried and was getting no output. I couldn’t find any change that I could make to get it to work. I connected it directly to the TV and it worked immediately…
You could try having the HDMI input selected on the receiver before plugging it in, in case there’s some EDID fuckery going on and it might pass it through that way. There might be some info dumped in
dmesgas well that could help troubleshoot what it’s not liking about. Computers try to be smart and output a supported resolution whereas a lot of AV equipment just outputs whatever it wants without checking.If it is an EDID problem, there’s ways to override it for the port so you could dump your TV’s, then force it to use that one even when plugged into the receiver. Or you can use a generic 1080p/4K one.
Failing that, if your receiver and TV support eARC, I guess plugging directly into the TV and have the TV feed the receiver is an option.
The last option is what I do with my PS5 since my receiver doesn’t support HDR or VRR. However, I frequently have audio sync issues that no amount of messing with delay settings solves. So eARC should be considered a solution of last resort.
I assume you are powering the dock? Many docks require external power before they will pass video.
Does the screen on the deck shut off or stay active?
If the screen stays active that means that it isn’t detecting an HDMI signal through the dock at all.
If the screen shuts off but you get no video through the receiver, you should try hitting the power button one to shut it off wait a few seconds then turn it back on (while plugged in). Even the official dock has issues getting the deck to switch to the external output but putting the deck to sleep and back on gets it sorted out.
If that still doesn’t do it plug in directly to your TV to narrow down the problem (removes the receiver as a variable). Next try a different HDMI cable, and as a last resort try a different dock. If you know someone else with their own deck you can try theirs to eliminate a hardware failure on your deck.
I appreciate that you are trying to cover all of your bases. But, I did mention that it works directly on the TV.
I did not mention that I’ve tried multiple docks though. Also, both have external power. I googled it and it seems like PCs often have issues with av receivers. I just can’t figure out a way to fix it automatically in gaming mode. I haven’t done much testing in desktop mode though either.
I just want my game’s music to come out of my nice sound system lol
Hm I have not. I have a Denon that I use with a HDMI splitter. Splitter goes into the Denon, Nintendo and Steam Deck go into the splitter.
You may need to look for a specific setting for HDMI audio, I’m vaguely remembering
It’s not just audio. I have an nvidia shield plugged directly into the receiver and it passes the video to the TV and handles the audio. The Steam Deck doesn’t do anything on the receiver. Even when I try using the same HDMI port and cable.
Plugging the Steam Deck dock directly into the TV is fine, however.
What you described for the Shield is also how I have my Steam/Switch -> Splitter -> Denon -> Tv. Also my apologies, it’s late, I’ve had a long day and my grandfather gave me a nightcap, so I’m just going to ramble. Be warned, because I’m away from home and this is all from memory. It sounds like we have a similar setup sans TV model, so hopefully this just gives you things to look for.
Are you using the beta or the stable build? And LCD or OLED (can’t imagine it would really matter but it could - I have both so I could look in a few days).
Is there a setting on your Denon regarding HDMI audio, or another user mentioned eArc which I also have on my TV, unfortunately can’t remember how I have that set up. I do vaguely remember playing with those settings to get sound working. I’m fairly sure it was specifically HDMI audio in a settings menu of the receiver itself, but possibly in conjunction with the TV settings too… Could also try to use CEC, which is the handshake to allow devices to control the TV - it has caused problems for people before for the Nintendo Switch, so it could be something like that.
What’s the model you have? I have an AVR-S570 Bluetooth, if they’re both denon I imagine it can’t be too different. Do you view the Denon Receiver HDMI channel when you are connecting the Steam Deck? Does the TV the Denon Receiver, or is it an HDMI1-4? I have a Roku TV so it has has the menu where it can show the content without being on the channel as a preview.
I think my course of action would be to try a different build on the SD (sort of refreshes things and is quick), try your current set up, then try a new setup with different HDMI port (both Denon/TV) or possibly cable, that’s another common oddity. It happens to me so often, I just throw them out in the donate box when that happens, almost always 2.0 or whatever standard failing to perform
If that still all doesn’t work with newest HDMI standards (2.2?), then I would go searching through your receiver and TV audio settings to check if anything is amiss with CEC and HDMI Audio or something along those lines. Make sure that the TV/Receiver/HDMI port are all showing expected things. Good luck, and sorry for the rambling. Basically trying to run down what I remember and pick apart what of my setup was Steam Deck related and what was Roku TV woes. As the other user said, eArc is also a possible boon amongst all of this.
If you have any other questions, I’ll be happy to think more on it
I use the official dock
Are you using a dock? I just have the dock plugged straight into the receiver and it’s fine.
Also I had heard the official steam dock had problems doing it, I’m using a 3rd party one.
Adding, receiver is a Denon from around 2008. Dock is Jsaux.
I use the official dock, and an Onkyo. No issues.
Mine is a jsaux dock too… My receiver is denon iirc.
