optical audio output

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Toadhallglos

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#116090 18-Apr-2013 03:05

This is an 'optimistic' post to try to resolve my impossible dilemma!
I bought a 2011 Samsung Smart TV - model UE40D5520 then a 2012 Samsung Sound bar model HW-E350 to try to improve the sound. (my preference had been a Yamaha sound bar - but bought Samsung to ensure compatibility - or so I thought).
the TV has 4 HDMI sockets but ALL are IN
the only OUT sockets are 2 x USB, Optical digital audio and headphone jack.
the Sound bar has HDMI In, HDMI out and headphone jack.
When I rang Samsung they said the only option was to use the headphone jacks. I have been trying to adjust the output options on the TV and the Input options on the Soundbar (i.e. News, Music, cinema, sport etc.) but can never get anything reasonable.
today I determined to resolve this - so I read the user manual for both. The TV says do NOT use the headphone connection for audio other than headphones as distortion will be experienced - Great!
so I rand the Samsung Technical dept. who advised me that it is impossible to connect the 2 units..... and then connected me to Customer Services who would be sure to find a way for me to upgrade the Sound Bar. Customer Services said NO help available, you should have checked with us before you bought the Sound Bar !!
I have talked to the supplier and they are unable to help as I have passed their 7 day returns policy period and their Techie has not come across this before so has no resolution other than for me to BUY another Soundbar.
Has anyone got any ideas about converting OPTICAL audio to analogue? or the USB ?
- - ever hopeful of some Brainy person to give me a nudge towards finding an answer. and thanks if you can.

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#801277 18-Apr-2013 07:01

why diff you buy something that wasn't compatible? return it

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#801311 18-Apr-2013 08:53

why did they sell you something that's not compatible? you have grounds to argue and return and get another product or store credit - speak to the manager

nickb800

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#801320 18-Apr-2013 09:12

Yep sounds like you are in a tough spot.

Using the headphone output isn't ideal but its your only option. I use the headphone output from my Samsung TV to drive my speakers and it doesn't sound too bad.
What do you mean when you say that you can never get anything reasonable? Don't be surprised if you need to dial the volume up higher than you would usually need it in order to hear it normally.

You can convert optical to analog with a $30 box, but the TV remote doesn't control the volume on the optical output, so you would need to control the volume on the soundbar, which isn't really viable since the soundbar doesn't have a remote control

timmmay

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#801345 18-Apr-2013 09:46

Did you buy them from the same retailer at the same time? If so you could reasonably argue they should work together. If not then there's no reason they should accept a return, unless you talk to them really nicely.

Does that TV support ARC - audio return channel? If so does that help at all? Possibly not if there's not HDMI out from the TV.

Sounds like an optical to analog converter would be the best option. No idea how you control volume, hopefully that's in the optical output and scales when you change the TV volume?

I don't watch broadcast TV any more, I haven't for years. All my content comes from the internet or my PC, it goes through a PS3 or Raspberry Pi, to a receiver (amplifier), then to the TV and speakers. When my partner wants to watch TV she uses one of the on demand type services over the net.

nickb800

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#801361 18-Apr-2013 10:03

timmmay:

Sounds like an optical to analog converter would be the best option. No idea how you control volume, hopefully that's in the optical output and scales when you change the TV volume?
.

Nope, unfortunately optical audio is simply passed through unaltered so the TV's volume control (or mute for that matter) doesn't control the levels in the in the optical audio signal. Normally the receiving device (e.g. an AVR or soundbar) has its own remote control for volume, but this soundbar doesn't unfortunately.

timmmay

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#801372 18-Apr-2013 10:12

Ah so it's only suitable for an HDMI based system. Bummer.

Can analog audio be converted to HDMI audio?

Sometimes planning is important. I guess returning/selling it and buying a sound bar with a remote is the best solution, or replacing the TV with one with an HDMI out.

You could investigate why the headphone out doesn't sound good. If it sounds fine with headphones it should work fine to supply the sound bar. Perhaps it needs amplification, or perhaps needs to be a really low line level signal?

tchart

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#801395 18-Apr-2013 10:25

Isn't the idea of those sound bars to plug your device (mySky, Blu-Ray) etc into the sound bar (HDMI in) and then daisy chain it to the TV (ie HDMI out on sound bar to HDMI in on TV).

Obviously that wouldn't help if you're watching something on the Smart TV itself (Youtube) or watching Freeview on the TV itself.

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robjg63

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#801405 18-Apr-2013 10:37

Looks like you either take it back and get something that works out of the box or you could try something like this:

http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/hdmi-2/hdmi-processing/hdmi-dvi-vga-ypbpr-convert.html

They have 2 optical to HDMI converters - $99 and $69
Possibly the $99 one http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/hdmi-2/hdmi-processing/hdmi-dvi-vga-ypbpr-convert/component-ypbpr-s-pdif-digital-coax-optical-toslink-audio-to-hdmi-converter.html might be best.

Actually that looks quite cheap - I found similar units for $250ish.

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wellygary

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#801474 18-Apr-2013 11:29

This is a seriously ugly cludge solution, but

how about a Freeview HD set top box, then HDMI daisy chain the soundbar through to the TV ( as a monitor)

Toadhallglos

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#801921 18-Apr-2013 21:50

Hi and thank you all for your input.

the tip on the links you gave "robjg63" and your helpful observations "nickb800"
led me through a process and I finally arrived at
"RCA Audio Cable Adapter for XBOX 360 + Slim" at under £4.
I talked it through with the supplier of the Soundbar (which incidentally, in the UK version, comes with a remote control) so I have taken the plunge and ordered it and await the 'test'.
Many thanks.

robjg63

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#802145 19-Apr-2013 10:48

I might be wrong - and I dont like to rain on your parade, but is that going to work?

I had a look and as far as I can see that adapter is meant to plug into your HDMI output (on an Xbox - but anything with HDMI output would be ok) and convert TO toslink/optical audio and/or the left right RCA audio output.

I am not sure its designed to work the other way around.

All the optical to HDMI converters I have found - are little black boxes that seem to require some power and processing.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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#802162 19-Apr-2013 11:22

the supplier has sold you a second lemon ?

trig42

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#802168 19-Apr-2013 11:27

Toadhallglos:
Hi and thank you all for your input.

the tip on the links you gave "robjg63" and your helpful observations "nickb800"
led me through a process and I finally arrived at
"RCA Audio Cable Adapter for XBOX 360 + Slim" at under £4.
I talked it through with the supplier of the Soundbar (which incidentally, in the UK version, comes with a remote control) so I have taken the plunge and ordered it and await the 'test'.
Many thanks.

Do you mean one of these?
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Cable-Adapter-XBOX-360-Slim/dp/B002P35JMO

If so, what is that going to connect to? Do you have an Xbox? That is not an HDMI plug.

robjg63

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#802176 19-Apr-2013 11:43

trig42:
Toadhallglos:
Hi and thank you all for your input.

the tip on the links you gave "robjg63" and your helpful observations "nickb800"
led me through a process and I finally arrived at
"RCA Audio Cable Adapter for XBOX 360 + Slim" at under £4.
I talked it through with the supplier of the Soundbar (which incidentally, in the UK version, comes with a remote control) so I have taken the plunge and ordered it and await the 'test'.
Many thanks.

Do you mean one of these?
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Cable-Adapter-XBOX-360-Slim/dp/B002P35JMO

If so, what is that going to connect to? Do you have an Xbox? That is not an HDMI plug.

OP has a TV with only optical audio output and a soundbar that only accepts HDMI input.
Needs an optical audio to hdmi converter or a new soundbar that takes optical input.
OP is trying to utilise the headphone jacks with limited success.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

trig42

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#802200 19-Apr-2013 11:54

Yes I got that, but I don't see how the cable he quoted in his post will help him.

I do think the cheapest and best option (although clunky) would be a standalone freeview receiver.

Or, sell the Samsung soundbar and get one with an optical input.

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