Sony Soundbar HT-CT800 - Best connection to Sony TV?

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dafman

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#240351 3-Sep-2018 16:24

I'm waiting delivery of my Sony HT-CT800 soundbar. Thinking about connection to my Sony KD 55x8500d, I have the option of either (1) optical in from TV or (2) HDMI ARC.

Which is the better option, pros & cons of each? I'm assuming that as both are digital, sound quality will be same via either?

trig42

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#2083380 3-Sep-2018 16:51

HDMI ARC, then turning on the TV will turn on the soundbar, and the TV remote's volume will control the Soundbar.

Dial111

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#2083445 3-Sep-2018 19:39

As above HDMI ARC and the above reasons too. Have this sound bar paired with a 65X9000E in cave, sounds great and the sub has a nice kick

Amosnz

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#2083463 3-Sep-2018 21:18

Perfect timing, I've been thinking about a soundbar for our Sony KD 55x8500c (just checked, also has ARC) but hadn't yet looked at soundbars.

Sony NZ site lists the HT-CT800 at a RRP of $350, but Noels have it advertised at $800! Where is yours coming from?

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richms

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#2083464 3-Sep-2018 21:21

Depending on how much other HDMI junk you have connected, you may have to fall back to the optical. I find that with 2 HDMI switches and 3-4 devices on each into the other HDMI input to the TV that CEC gets flakey, and that is needed for ARC to work. So often I will turn on the TV and the soundbar will come on but no sound, or else it will lose connection to it when I power up a console or something. Only a few sources and it is fine tho.

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Dingbatt

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#2083534 4-Sep-2018 08:22

richms:
Depending on how much other HDMI junk you have connected, you may have to fall back to the optical. I find that with 2 HDMI switches and 3-4 devices on each into the other HDMI input to the TV that CEC gets flakey, and that is needed for ARC to work. So often I will turn on the TV and the soundbar will come on but no sound, or else it will lose connection to it when I power up a console or something. Only a few sources and it is fine tho.

Sorry for taking things slightly off topic, but I think the OP already has the answer. I was considering replacing my AV Receiver, which is effectively only being used as an HDMI switcher (tv has built-in soundbar), with a plain switcher. But considering the above it might be better to just leave the receiver in place. I assume the CEC electronics in the receiver would be better than just a plain (uhd hdcp2.2) switcher.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

dafman

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#2083540 4-Sep-2018 08:58

Amosnz:

Perfect timing, I've been thinking about a soundbar for our Sony KD 55x8500c (just checked, also has ARC) but hadn't yet looked at soundbars.

Sony NZ site lists the HT-CT800 at a RRP of $350, but Noels have it advertised at $800! Where is yours coming from?

I purchased from Sony online for $350 delivered. $800 is the RRP, the $350 is a end-of-line discount of over 50% over RRP. I wanted the either the newer HT-X9000F or HTZ9F, but pricing for either of these was too steep as this is for a second TV. I have been looking for quite some time and this price is outstanding for the specs (IMHO).

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Amosnz

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#2083595 4-Sep-2018 10:14

Thanks, after having a bit of a look around I concur it seems like great value, so I've ordered one too.

It's not the kinda thing I usually buy unseen/untested, but 2 positive reviews is good enough for me.

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dafman

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#2083627 4-Sep-2018 10:57

Amosnz:

Thanks, after having a bit of a look around I concur it seems like great value, so I've ordered one too.

It's not the kinda thing I usually buy unseen/untested, but 2 positive reviews is good enough for me.

It's a great purchase at this run-out pricing and the vast majority of reviews for the CT800 are positive. I've been looking at various Sony soundbars for several months and read many reviews. At $350, this is far and away the best price for specs I've come across.

trig42

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#2083629 4-Sep-2018 10:59

for $350, the CT800 is great buying IMO. I had a smaller one (CT350?) and for what it was, it was great. The 800 will be much better than that.

MikeAqua

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#2083721 4-Sep-2018 12:09

I've owned a couple of Sony TVs and I have found they play nicely with other manufacturer's kit via CEC.

Mike