Soundbars and soundbases only have one HDMI connection?

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 08:54

Hi,

Confused by this can someone help me out please?

I have a non-arc compatible TV, I need a new soundbar/soundbase and they all only seem to have one HDMI connection.

I have a PC in the front room that currently connects to HDMI in on the soundbar and then to the TV via HDMI out (pass through)

No current soundbar/soundbase seem to support this everything assumes you have ARC and only supply one HDMI port.

Normal TV sound connects via Optical.

If I buy a new soundbar/soundbase with one HDMI connection, how do I connect up my PC and TV, if I have to use Optical and ignore HDMI on the sounbar/soundbase will I still get sound from the media PC and if so will I lose any features?

Thanks

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 10:56

Thanks ill have a look. Only issue is space and I want to avoid separate subs. Sorry should have mentioned that. I've looking at q acoustics m2 soundbase and m3 sound bar but both only have one HDMI connection

does seem odd that these companies write off customers with tvs older than a few years

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 11:10

Thanks but don't need all that, just want clear speech as I struggle to hear. In a small compact device with HDMI pass through

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 11:37

hornetstinger said:
Even slimline unit like this?

https://www.marantz.co.uk/uk/produc...etheatre&subcatid=avreceiver&productid=nr1508

potentially if it will do what I want in terms of being able to get clear speech, good clarity and a tidy setup that'll all fit in my cabinet with HDMI pass through

that's the best thing about a soundbar and sound bar

I would have to research speakers too and no were to put them

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 12:18

Had a look at that Marantz unit, too expensive and cant really have book shelves as they would need to go on the floor and I have a toddler in the house they wont last five minutes.

Really need a soundbar or soundbase with built in or wired sub and HDMI pass through with a focus on clarity, struggling to find anything though

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 12:31

lucid said:
Roth Neo 6.2 sound base.

4x HDMI in + HDMI ARC
1x Optical Digital
1x Coax Digital
1x stereo phono
1x 3.5mm
No external subwoofer

Price £249

Very interesting, need to measure it up and see if it will fit in the cabinet. Thanks.

That reminds me, is it a good idea to have a soundbase in a cabinet? The Qacoustics M2 has a setting so that if its installed to a cabinet rather than under the TV you can switch that setting on. Its the only soundbase that has this setting which led me to it.

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 13:04

Yeah makes sense. That's soundbases out too then. This is hard work!

looks like I'll need to find a sound bar with built in sub and pass through that will fit under the TV, clearance is only 60mm though

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 13:33

hornetstinger said:
What about Q Acoustics QTV2? It only has one optical input, but it mounts behind the TV. Got one for the parents.

Route HDMI from source to TV, then use single optical cable from TV to soundbar. Mute the TV speakers.

Never new they existed, interesting option although they do kind of look a bit weird what are they like in person and do they sound decent assuming you've heard/seen them? I think my TV is 46" so not sure if they'll fit and they look heavy not sure if the cabinet will take it as I was pushing it with the recommended TV size.

Will sound go from Media PC to TV via HDMI then through Optical? Never tried it as only ever had pass through.

Its an interesting option though thanks, makes me wonder what else I've missed?

Edit, never mind, discontinued anyway

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 14:53

Jamesyboyjim said:
My TV doesn't support hdmi ARC but does have optical out. Running the optical from my TV to the soundbar, all inputs through the TV are outputted to the soundbar essentially doing the same thing as hdmi arc. Neither arc or optical support HD audio so I see no advantage of one over the other.

I know its weird isnt it, I really dont get it at all. For people with older TVs it makes finding a setup much more difficult as most devices only have HDMI ARC connections. I think I'm just going to go for something with Optical in and save some cash, cant remember the last time I set it to anything other than Stereo anyway

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 15:16

Thanks but I cant anything with a wireless sub or speakers. Interferes with my Hive Thermostat which is one of the reasons I am getting rid of current one as well as freeing up some space

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 16:12

Thanks had a look and thats too expensive

I dont think what I want exists, so I'm doomed to standard TV speakers

Relentless81 · 4 Dec 2017 at 16:22

Jamesyboyjim said:
Perhaps try a newer soundbar with wireless sub, see if a newer one still interferes with the Hive? If so then just return it.

It crossed my mind, bit of messing about though as the issue doesnt always occur, it either does it all the time, stops doing it for a bit. Its very intermittent. Such an annoying problem otherwise I would keep existing setup. Phones/Tablets etc etc all on 2.4GHZ WiFi dont cause it any bother but as soon as the sub goes on it cuts the connection from the thermostat to the hub and the heating/water goes off.