Three sources of ATMOS - 2 Inputs to Sounder

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Three sources of ATMOS - 2 Inputs to Sounder - Any possible solutions?

Shindig

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#300742 1-Oct-2022 14:06

I have three sources of ATMOS \ 5.1 surround sound.

The soundbar I have only has two HMDI inputs and one output

The single output is connected to the TV which supports ARC

The third source is a AppleTV4k, which is connected directly to the TV via HDMI. The ATV4k requires eARC to pass ATMOS\5.1 sound down to the sounder.

Is there such a device which would allow me to essentially 'share' a HDMI port on the sounder, so I can take advantage of the sound quality offered.

The second HDMI port on the soundbar is used by the XBOX and would be off, when the ATV4k is being used.

The little things make the biggest difference.

Dunnersfella

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#2976007 1-Oct-2022 17:17

"HDMI ARC can send Dolby Atmos with the Dolby Digital Plus audio codec. You need to make sure that both devices support HDMI ARC and that the TV is capable of sending Dolby Digital Plus, not just Dolby Digital through HDMI ARC. You can typically find this information under the supported audio codecs in the TV’s user manual. If both devices support HDMI eARC, then Dolby Atmos is definitely supported."

From https://thehometheaterdiy.com/can-hdmi-arc-send-dolby-atmos-audio/

I wasn't aware that the ATV can deliver true lossless Dolby ATMOS like the Blu-ray app on the XBox, or potentially the media player.

Can it?

If it can't, then you don't require eARC.

Also, adding an HDMI switch that's capable of matching your TV's HDMI version / resolution etc will hep.

lchiu7

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#2976189 2-Oct-2022 10:36

A couple of points.

Atmos (whether it's carried on Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus) requires eARC. It's not supported on ARC.

What I do is route all my audio inputs that need Atmos (or not) into a HDMI switch that then goes into the sound bar. The sound bar supports Atmos (on TrueHD or AC3+) so I get the full audio. I then take the HDMI output from the soundbar to the TV. Just find a HDMI switch like this

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/cables-adaptors/other/listing/3791154318

Dunnersfella

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#2976367 2-Oct-2022 16:22

Just be careful with HDMI switches if you have a 4K / 120 capable TV.

I don't know of a lot that will handle this level of pass-through - but if your XBox isn't a SeriesX, then you should be fine.