How to integrate a soundbar into your home multimedia system

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    A soundbar is a compact audio system that connects to your TV and delivers better sound than built-in speakers. The main advantage of the soundbar is that it takes up little space compared to a full-fledged 5.1, 7.1 and even 2.0 audio system. You can connect to it directly or through additional links not only a TV, but also other equipment up to a smartphone. Let’s figure out what options for organizing such a multimedia system exist, what are the pros and cons of each.

    We connect everything through the TV
    Connectors for connecting via TV

    Modern TVs most often have many options for connecting external devices: HDMI , optics, analog “tulips”, 3.5 mm headphone output. Less common are SCART and coaxial interface. Using the TV as a multimedia center is the simplest and most convenient solution: there are many interfaces, it is easy to switch between them.

    Typically, the TV has several HDMI connectors. Most of them are inputs, but there is at least one HDMI-OUT. In modern TVs, the output is signed as HDMI ARC or eARC. The ARC (Audio Return Channel) protocol allows audio to be sent both ways over a single HDMI cable.

    For example, on the already middle-aged TV of the author, there are 4 regular HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI ARC.

    We connect suitable devices to different HDMI inputs. In one – the console, in the other – a set-top box (multimedia player), in the third – a laptop, and so on. In HDMI-OUT (ARC) we connect a soundbar. Thus, the TV becomes a multimedia center, and the soundbar outputs sound from all devices. We switch between them in the TV interface.

     

    If some devices are not connected via HDMI, you can use other interfaces. For example, connect a computer via optics. Do not forget about the wireless connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For example, an image from a PC can be broadcast to a TV via Wi-Fi, while transmitting sound. It will be output to the soundbar. True, in this case there may be delays.

    When connecting through a TV, there may be several nuances. In some models, the ARC output is not signed – you need to look in the instructions. In them, you may also need to activate ARC through the TV menu. But most of the time it’s not needed.

    Another feature is format support. With the connection in question, the sound in digital form enters the soundbar and is processed in it, so you need to know what formats it supports. If some version of DTS or Dolby is not supported by the soundbar, then this track in the movie, for example, will not be played. Also, HDMI ARC does not support all types of surround sound. For full processing of 7.1, you need to connect via eARC – the most modern version of the protocol.

    ARC and eARC must be supported at the hardware level on the TV and soundbar, otherwise a full-fledged connection will not work. Connecting via a TV is convenient when the soundbar has few inputs or only one HDMI at all. Another important and already mentioned plus is the convenient switching between devices via the TV. Of course, the degree of convenience will vary depending on the menu interface, but these are nuances.

    An additional plus is that when connected via HDMI ARC, by default there is support for CEC. That is, the soundbar will turn on together with the TV, and the volume control will be joint – from the TV remote control.

    It is clear that not all devices will be connected all the time. Usually, a console and a player are connected to the TV. Laptop – if necessary. Sometimes it’s easier to connect it via Wi-Fi, especially when you need to stream the image to a TV.

    Connecting everything to the soundbar
    Soundbar connection options

    Some soundbar models have many inputs for different connection types: HDMI (sometimes not even one), optical, RCA analog inputs, and so on. Why not connect them to different home devices?

    We output sound from a PC or laptop via an analog interface – this may require adapters from 3.5 mm to 2 RCA, depending on the audio card and available connectors. We connect a multimedia player via optics or HDMI, also a console.

    With this type of connection, it is especially important to use ARC-enabled HDMI for your TV. Only through ARC will it be possible to transfer the audio stream from both the connected player and the TV without an additional optical cable.

    The scheme is as follows: an audio and video stream is transmitted from the player via HDMI to the soundbar. The audio is processed and the video is sent via HDMI to the TV. If with such a connection you need to play the sound that is created on the TV, and not in the player (terrestrial channels, streaming services from SmartTV), then when connecting via ARC, no additional wires are needed – the same HDMI is used. Without ARC, the TV must be additionally connected to the soundbar with an optical cable.

    Connecting through a soundbar is convenient when only sound is played from most devices. For example, the player is connected via HDMI, the TV is connected via HDMI ARC. The player transmits the image to the TV, and the sound to the soundbar. From the TV itself, the image is displayed, and the sound also goes to the soundbar.

    At the same time, we connect a computer or laptop via RCA. The soundbar becomes just an external speaker. An audio player is also connected: an external music DAC or CD. If you need to connect another device that should output the image to the TV and the sound to the soundbar, then it is better to use the first scheme – this way there will be fewer wires.

    An important advantage of connecting through a soundbar is that it is not necessary to turn on the TV. If the soundbar supports a Bluetooth connection, it’s especially good. For example, the TV is turned off, but you want to listen to music. The computer is connected – we start from it. There is Bluetooth – we connect the phone and listen.

    The main disadvantages are complex switching and switching between sources through the soundbar. Most often, switching occurs automatically: which interface is active, it switches to that soundbar. But this does not always work for an analog connection. If the soundbar has a remote control or a button for selecting an interface on the case, this simplifies the situation.

    It is worth noting that digital sound processing takes place in the soundbar, that is, only those formats that it supports will be played. This applies to optical and HDMI connections. According to the “analogue”, the processing takes place in the connected device, and the finished sound is output to the soundbar.

    Modern soundbars support Wi-Fi connectivity with multi-room functionality. For example, you can “share” a folder with music on your PC on your home network and listen to it without a wired connection. Management takes place in a proprietary application on your phone or PC. Usually in such applications it is possible to connect streaming services and listen to music from them directly through the soundbar – another plus for versatility.

    We connect through the receiver, hub
    Connecting via an HDMI hub

    It makes sense to use an additional link if you already have a modern receiver , or there are not enough connectors on the TV and soundbar. There is a receiver – we connect all devices to it, and we output the sound from it to the soundbar. The sound is processed in the receiver, and the soundbar is usually connected in an analog way, depending on the specific device.

    It is worth connecting to old models of receivers (without HDMI) only if there are not enough interfaces on the TV. Switching will not be easy. A more convenient option for an additional link is an HDMI hub. Roughly speaking, this is a box with several HDMI connectors. A TV, console, laptop, player, and so on are connected to the inputs. And the output is a soundbar.

    Switching between devices in the case of a hub is usually automatic. All interfaces are digital: which one is active, the focus switches to that one. When connected through a receiver, the choice of devices is usually implemented conveniently: on the remote control and a selector on the case.

    As a result, if you still have to choose a soundbar, it is better to invest in a modern model with eARC support, Wi-Fi with multi-room and Bluetooth, and get convenient connection of all devices. At the same time, you can control playback and switch between sources in a proprietary application or from a TV.