Connecting everything to soundbar

almillar

The soundbar has one HDMI and one optical socket.

You've got 2 HDMI devices (plus the TV). The best thing to do would be to get a soundbar with 2 HDMI in.

Which is why I'd always recommend using the TV as the hub with just the one connection to the soundbar.

Err, we've been discussing why we need to be cautious with this recommendation 'always'.

the soundbar the OP is interested in is only 2.1 so even if it didn't pass-through 5.1

Bingo. Everything I've said doesn't matter for OP, he's maxing out at 2.1 sound anyway. But if you ever decide to upgrade, you could be stuck. I'm just saying that the way it's usually done, is everything goes through the amp. As Tarambor hints at, doing it this way can help with lipsync issues - a TV generally won't.

In OP's situation, with a 2.1 soundbar, the original suggestion seems fine - we can't improve on it without upping the budget significantly.

So - with that planned equipment - soundbar into the ARC input on the TV via HDMI. PS3 via HDMI into TV, and Youview box via HDMI into TV. Done.

I got the specs for my TV from the downloadable manual which states it's two channel linear PCM, Dolby Digital & DTS output

Sorry for sticking at this, but I'm still not 100% convinced that means you're getting 5.1 sound!

That link OP provided is an utterly excellent resource, which I will likely refer to next time I buy a TV

wallofbeans

almillar wrote: »

You've got 2 HDMI devices (plus the TV). The best thing to do would be to get a soundbar with 2 HDMI in.



Err, we've been discussing why we need to be cautious with this recommendation 'always'.


Bingo. Everything I've said doesn't matter for OP, he's maxing out at 2.1 sound anyway. But if you ever decide to upgrade, you could be stuck. I'm just saying that the way it's usually done, is everything goes through the amp. As Tarambor hints at, doing it this way can help with lipsync issues - a TV generally won't.

In OP's situation, with a 2.1 soundbar, the original suggestion seems fine - we can't improve on it without upping the budget significantly.

So - with that planned equipment - soundbar into the ARC input on the TV via HDMI. PS3 via HDMI into TV, and Youview box via HDMI into TV. Done.



Sorry for sticking at this, but I'm still not 100% convinced that means you're getting 5.1 sound!

That link OP provided is an utterly excellent resource, which I will likely refer to next time I buy a TV

Quick note: I don't have a PS3 but do have a blu-ray player. This doesn't change the advice though.

I'm also confused by these soundbars. It is 2.1 but the specs go on about 5.1 and it has a surround button. How can that do anything when it's only got two speakers inside?

Also, I'm up for changing the soundbar option and to spend some more money, but I'm struggling to find ones that will fit in the 90cm gap I have. Soundbases don't help as I only have 27cm of depth to play with. Suggestions welcome!

[Deleted User]

almillar wrote: »

Err, we've been discussing why we need to be cautious with this recommendation 'always'.

Which is why I said I'd always recommend that way, whether anyone else decides that's right for them is entirely up to them.

I'm just saying that the way it's usually done, is everything goes through the amp.

Is it? I highly doubt that's how 'it's usually done' because it's entirely dependant on your equipment/budget. I'd wager there's way more cheap soundbars sold with very limited inputs so using the TV as the hub is the defacto standard.

As Tarambor hints at, doing it this way can help with lipsync issues - a TV generally won't.

Sorry, but that's pure nonsense. If everything goes through the TV then any audio sync problem will be at the same level for all inputs and can simply be adjusted on the soundbar itself just once (presuming it allows this).

So - with that planned equipment - soundbar into the ARC input on the TV via HDMI. PS3 via HDMI into TV, and Youview box via HDMI into TV. Done.

No argument there although they don't need to use the ARC enabled HDMI port as there's no need for the return channel, they can use any HDMI port (unless there's some function of the ARC feature that I'm not aware of).

Sorry for sticking at this, but I'm still not 100% convinced that means you're getting 5.1 sound!

It's plugged into a soundbar with two 6cm forward facing speakers and two downward 7cm speakers (from memory) for bass with a couple of tuned sideways facing ports for surround effects so I'm 100% certain it's not playing 5.1. I'm not certain of why you would doubt the manual though that states it does pass it through.

That link OP provided is an utterly excellent resource, which I will likely refer to next time I buy a TV

Yes it is, and it's almost 100% of the sets that all pass through Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 sound although they're all newer than mine (I think).

Given the above why would you doubt that mine does? I'm genuinely puzzled.

[Deleted User]

wallofbeans wrote: »

I'm also confused by these soundbars. It is 2.1 but the specs go on about 5.1 and it has a surround button. How can that do anything when it's only got two speakers inside?

My Yamaha YAS 103 soundbar has two 6cm forward facing speakers and two downward 7cm speakers (from memory) for bass with a couple of tuned sideways facing ports for surround effects. Any 5.1 input is processed and then output in a simulated 5.1 surround field.

It's never going to be quite as effective as a (decent) 5.1 system but it beats it for simplicity and neatness (something my wife very much insisted on ).

wallofbeans

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

My Yamaha YAS 103 soundbar has two 6cm forward facing speakers and two downward 7cm speakers (from memory) for bass with a couple of tuned sideways facing ports for surround effects. Any 5.1 input is processed and then output in a simulated 5.1 surround field.

It's never going to be quite as effective as a (decent) 5.1 system but it beats it for simplicity and neatness (something my wife very much insisted on ).

I assume that is quite a lot fancier than the panasonic soundbar I am looking at though, which I got the impression from the manual, only has two speakers inside along with the external sub.

I'm going to have a google for yours now though. it sounds good!

wallofbeans

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Sorry, but that's pure nonsense. If everything goes through the TV then any audio sync problem will be at the same level for all inputs and can simply be adjusted on the soundbar itself just once (presuming it allows this).

I don't think the Panasonic SCHTB488 does do this. But I think the TV does.

I'm starting to think I should be looking for a soundbar that offers a few more whistles and bells.

[Deleted User]

wallofbeans wrote: »

I assume that is quite a lot fancier than the panasonic soundbar I am looking at though, which I got the impression from the manual, only has two speakers inside along with the external sub.

I'm going to have a google for yours now though. it sounds good!

Sorry, perhaps I should have said but mines superseded now (a few times I think) although I presume the most recent versions are of similar quality. I think I paid £150 for it so that would put it at a similar level to the one you're considering perhaps?

wallofbeans wrote: »

I don't think the Panasonic SCHTB488 does do this. But I think the TV does.

I'm starting to think I should be looking for a soundbar that offers a few more whistles and bells.

You may not have any issue with lip sync anyway so it could be a mute point (no pun intended).

Having a look at Panasonics & Richer Sounds websites yours appears to have just one speaker in the soundbar itself (surely a mistake?) plus the wireless subwoofer which appears to be a weird setup but apparently it works well.

wallofbeans

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Sorry, perhaps I should have said but mines superseded now (a few times I think) although I presume the most recent versions are of similar quality. I think I paid £150 for it so that would put it at a similar level to the one you're considering perhaps?



You may not have any issue with lip sync anyway so it could be a mute point (no pun intended).

Having a look at Panasonics & Richer Sounds websites yours appears to have just one speaker in the soundbar itself (surely a mistake?) plus the wireless subwoofer which appears to be a weird setup but apparently it works well.

I think they mean one speaker unit, as in one soundbar. But I think it's two speakers inside. I'm not sure though.

Why is it a weird set up? It seems to be quite normal. Loads of them have soundbar and subwoofer and at least half are wireless like this one.

[Deleted User]

wallofbeans wrote: »

I think they mean one speaker unit, as in one soundbar. But I think it's two speakers inside. I'm not sure though.

Why is it a weird set up? It seems to be quite normal. Loads of them have soundbar and subwoofer and at least half are wireless like this one.

I meant it seems weird if (and I'm still not sure) there was only the one speaker in the bar itself. The Panasonic website says:-

FRONT Configuration 1-way 1 speaker, Bass-reflex
Speaker Unit Full Range: 4.5 x 12 cm Cone Type

&

SUBWOOFER Configuration 1-way 1 speaker, Bass-reflex
Speaker Unit Woofer: 16 cm Cone Type

So if that's right then there's just one big oval speaker unit in the bar. Just seems odd but if right it obviously works well. BTW more speaker units doesn't necessarily make a better soundbar.

wallofbeans

I've found a polish website reviewing this soundbar and it's big brother. I'm not sure how well the review is translating what they are saying, but there is mention of '2 x elliptical broadband transducers in the beam' and I wondered what they meant by that..?

They also mention stuffing a handkerchief into the subwoofer to dampen the sound!

http://www.benchmark.pl/testy_i_recenzje/panasonic-htb488-688-test.html