Soundbar newbie - Questions

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lchiu7

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#2500328 8-Jun-2020 09:27

Dunnersfella:

Stu1:

Dumb question just brought a Bose 500, I only have 3 hdmi ports so would prefer to use optic out instead of an hdmi switch . Is the Bose fine with just using optic out instead of the hdmi arc? Cheers Stu

Are you using the Bose surround speakers?

If so, plug your sources into the bar.

If you're not, plug them wherever they will fit... as the Bose bar is effectively going to work fine as a 2.0/2.1 bar.

HDMI switches are largely the devil if you're looking to use ARC / hope for maximum compatibility... unless you have a Logitech (or similar remote) and the HDMI switch is controllable via an IR remote.

My HDMI switch is controllable from an IR remote and I said it's integrated into my Harmony. Best solution IMHO so no dealing with the TV and ARC etc. Only thing I haven't tested is if the switch will pass a 4K signal since I don't have a 4K TV but it certainly passes Dolby TrueHD with Atmos and is HDCP compliant.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

lchiu7

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#2500331 8-Jun-2020 09:30

Dunnersfella:

Note: ATMOS (the lossy, lower quality version, not the full banana lossless ATMOS) can be transmitted from the likes of Netflix over ARC.

But many sound bars that feature ATMOS are more exercises in marketing than sound quality... you need to be spending a fair chunk of change AND have a room with square walls that allow sound to be bounced correctly, for it to all come together (plus a room calibration system that ideally comes with the sound bar).

I am actually quite happy with the Atmos effects from my Samsung Q70R soundbar. Not quite as good as the 5.1.2 Atmos I have in my living room but for the family room, it's good enough. And it's much tidier with only the soundbar sitting in front of the TV and a sub on the floor. I would consider getting the optional wireless surrounds but that means I would to mount speakers behind me and work out how to get power to them discretely.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

sm1ff

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#2500336 8-Jun-2020 09:57

Is a av reciever system not an option?

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