Dumb soundbar connectivity question

Participant · 9 Jun 2015 at 21:37

Hi all

If I buy a soundbar with HDMI inputs AND outputs, will it act like an AV receiver, switching between my Virgin box, HTPC, console etc. and playing the sound from them, passing the video through to my TV?

I.e.:

Cheers.

Caged · 9 Jun 2015 at 21:44

Yes, if it has multiple HDMI inputs and an output.

Another option would be to get a sound bar that supports HDMI ARC (audio return channel) and use this with your TVs ARC HDMI socket so you can control everything and switch inputs using the TV remote. This would let you have different picture settings for different intputs (e.g. a different overscan setting for TV vs games etc).

Participant · 9 Jun 2015 at 21:51

Thanks for that. What are the downsides of using the ARC vs. the HDMI option then? As if ARC is preferable then I won't shell out loads for HDMI connectivity.

I have a universal remote so not too bothered about using the TV remote for everything.

Could I still get full decoding of HD audio etc. with the ARC method?

lucid · 9 Jun 2015 at 22:43

Participant said:
Thanks for that. What are the downsides of using the ARC vs. the HDMI option then? As if ARC is preferable then I won't shell out loads for HDMI connectivity.

I have a universal remote so not too bothered about using the TV remote for everything.

Could I still get full decoding of HD audio etc. with the ARC method?

BIB.... that's the Achilles heel of ARC, right there.

So very many TVs limit audio via HDMI ARC to just basic stereo. It's a massive oversight by the TV manufacturers. You lose all HD audio and DTS and DD too for any HDMI source. The exception is DD for any HD Freeview channel.... if they broadcast in it.

Caged · 9 Jun 2015 at 23:25

It does depend on what your soundbar is though. You may not be losing anything if your reason for buying it is "to get something a bit better than the TV audio".

lucid · 10 Jun 2015 at 07:51

Caged said:
It does depend on what your soundbar is though. You may not be losing anything if your reason for buying it is "to get something a bit better than the TV audio".

That's actually a good point. If the sound bar is stereo or 2.1 then there's not much point in having DD/DTS or HD audio.

Participant · 10 Jun 2015 at 08:57

Looking at Yamaha YSP-2500 or that sort of level, fed mainly with Blu-ray rips by an Intel NUC (or similar) . I've got 5.1 in the snug and don't want it to sound terrible compared to that.

Cheers for the help guys.

bledd · 10 Jun 2015 at 09:52

Waiting on my new TV and soundbase, all arrives today

Went for an HDMI-ARC setup, so it's as easy as possible for the mrs and any guests.