Hi everyone,
I am an audiophile noob and I am looking to upgrade my TV stereo setup. I have done some research and my situation and thoughts are below.
**Now:**I rent and my landlord left a 55-inch LED TV that only comes with 2.0 HDMI and one Coaxial input. I know all my troubles would be solved if I get a better TV but that’s not a preferable option as I do not want to move a TV around when I move in the future.
I bought an S800B yesterday hoping to connect an external device -> TV -> WiFi -> S800B. I found out today this does not work as the LED TV does not have a WiFi card. Therefore I am out of luck and tested Bluetooth for a day. There’s a slight delay and the sound just isn’t as good as I heard it at the store I bought the S800 for $400. I am going to return this tomorrow and I am looking at a Q700C or Q800B both with HDMI IN.
What I researched and planned: I only plan to watch via streaming services like Disney+ so Dolby Digital+ Atmos is what I’d like to achieve. I don’t own an external device right now but I plan to purchase an Apple TV 4K. The general idea is to return the Samsung S800B and purchase a Q700C. I do not plan to buy rear speakers right now, but may add this in the future.
Plan A: Connect Apple TV 4K -> ARC HDMI -> Q700C -> HDMI 2.0 -> LED TV. (External device -> soundbar -> TV)
Question 1: If LED TV does not support ARC, does playthrough via soundbar work? There are no settings on the LED TV regarding the audio input channel. I cannot select anything regarding which audio input.
Plan B: Connect Apple TV 4K -> HDMI 2.0 -> LED TV -> Coaxial to optical cable transfer -> connect optical of Q700C. (External device -> TV -> soundbar)
Question 2: With some research, I believe Optical can carry Dolby 5.1 sound but not Dolby Digital Plus. Will this work? Is Dolby 5.1 fine to enjoy some movies?
TDLR: I rent and I do not wish to buy a new TV and continue using landlord’s TV. LED TV does not have eARC/ARC and only coaxial. Is plan A or plan B a better choice? Or maybe a plan C! Thank you thank you very much. My wife is going nuts over how I purchased something without thinking ahead about the WiFi card.
Thank you for reading and for all your feedback.
Either way should work. Likely to get better sound with Plan A. Couldn’t help to notice that you are getting equipment that you currently can’t take full advantage. How long do you plan on staying at the current apt with the LED TV? There is future proofing but if you are 2-3 years out save yourself some $ today and get the better stuff later. Also another thing with Samsung soundbars, they work better or only work with Samsung TV (like Q-symphony) and they outdate their underlying technology relatively quickly. I would be concerned with locking myself to their ecosystem.