My options with ARC

[JonoB]

I currently have a 55" TV with 3 HDMI ports. These are used by a freesat tuner, nvidia shield and a games console.

I'm considering getting a soundbar for the TV and connecting it via ARC (one of the TV's HDMI ports does support ARC).

Firstly, am I correct in understanding that all sound (whether its from TV, game console, etc), will then flow through the soundbar?

Secondly, can I control the volume just using the TV's remote? (I don't want to faff with another remote)

My main problem is that I lose an HDMI port, so I can't connect all of my devices. Not sure what my options are here?

Isn't this all solved if I just connect the soundbar via optical cable? Will all sound then come through the TV, plus I don't lose an HDMI port?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JonoB]

Thank you for the replies.

I have a Hisense H55A6550UK TV. As far as I understand, its just an ARC, and not an eARC port.

To be honest, I'd prefer to not have an HDMI switch if at all possible, just because its yet another remote control to worry about it. If I go with optical, am I losing anything else? Again, I'd really prefer to control the volume with the TV remote - will optical do that for me?

I'm thinking of getting the Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar - seems like excellent value for money. I don't think my TV or the Soundbar has Atmos, so I don't think this is an issue at all? I'm not sure if this as an HDMI input so I can connect something else to it, and don't lose a port?

 

[JonoB]

Yeah, that only has 1 hdmi port that soundbar, so just go with the optical cable based on your TV.

If I go this route, will I be able to control the volume using TV remote? Or will I need the soundbar's remote as well?

If not, can you recommend any other soundbars that have HDMI ARC and have another HDMI port? Willing to spend up to £200 (but preferably less).