Soundbar to PC

[Jonj91]

Hey guys,

 

I don't know anything about sound, I've always just used headphones, but let me tell you what I was hoping to do. Please tell me if this is how it should go.

 

I just ordered an x900h TV that I want to use as a computer monitor. I also want to get a Dolby atmos soundbar to go with it. I will plug the soundbar arc into the TVs arc hdmi port. I will then plug the PC into an hdmi port into the TV. I don't have to connect the soundbar directly to the computer if I'm going to be using the TV as a monitor, do I?

 

Edit : does pc even support Dolby atmos (DD+)? I don't care about TrueHD. I get really confused with hdmi in and out and what device needs to go to what port.

[SlashedM]

3 minutes ago, Jonj91 said:

Hey guys,

 

I don't know anything about sound, I've always just used headphones, but let me tell you what I was hoping to do. Please tell me if this is how it should go.

 

I just ordered an x900h TV that I want to use as a computer monitor. I also want to get a Dolby atmos soundbar to go with it. I will plug the soundbar arc into the TVs arc hdmi port. I will then plug the PC into an hdmi port into the TV. I don't have to connect the soundbar directly to the computer if I'm going to be using the TV as a monitor, do I?

There really isn't a point to going from PC to TV and then TV to Sound Bar, I think its better for latency to go from PC to Soundbar to TV but you can if you want.

 

Although honestly the best way to do it is PC to sound bar using a like an optical cable (if the PC has support in the first place) or just a aux cord (if the Soundbar has support). 

[Jonj91]

1 minute ago, SlashedM said:

There really isn't a point to going from PC to TV and then TV to Sound Bar, I think its better for latency to go from PC to Soundbar to TV but you can if you want.

 

Although honestly the best way to do it is PC to sound bar using a like an optical cable (if the PC has support in the first place) or just a aux cord (if the Soundbar has support). 

 

Yeah, but Dolby atmos isn't supported by toslink or 3.5mm

[Jonj91]

2 minutes ago, SlashedM said:

There really isn't a point to going from PC to TV and then TV to Sound Bar, I think its better for latency to go from PC to Soundbar to TV but you can if you want.

 

Although honestly the best way to do it is PC to sound bar using a like an optical cable (if the PC has support in the first place) or just a aux cord (if the Soundbar has support). 

 

So I would plug the PC into an hdmi port on the soundbar (not arc) and then plug the arc hdmi on the soundbar to the arc on the TV?

[SlashedM]

Just now, Jonj91 said:

 

Yeah, but Dolby atmos isn't supported by toslink or 3.5mm

Ah right, although now that I think about it, I think PC to TV to Sound Bar may help with Video lag, but worsen Audio lag, but the opposite for PC to Sound Bar to TV. Either way, they both work

[SlashedM]

1 minute ago, Jonj91 said:

 

So I would plug the PC into an hdmi port on the soundbar (not arc) and then plug the arc hdmi on the soundbar to the arc on the TV?

Yes, or your original idea will work. Just test each option and go with whatever seems to be the best.

[Jonj91]

1 minute ago, SlashedM said:

Yes, or your original idea will work. Just test each option and go with whatever seems to be the best.

Okay thanks! I know it's a dumb question, but I never understood hdmi out and in and what needs to be plugged into what etc. Wasn't sure if for some reason I wouldn't be able to play atmos through media on the PC etc. All this stuff is confusing.

[Exidor]

One thing to note PC outputs everything as LPCM make sure your soundbar supports LPCM output or you will get no multichannel. Your PC decodes the signal before passing it to the downstream devices. No LPCM no atmos no 5.1 even. Read reviews carefully.....

 

Now for the plug in into TV vs soundbar.

No soundbar supports passthrough of 4k 120Hz signal there are no HDMI 2.1 soundbats.

EARC has many issues including audio lag and issues with format pass through ETC.

Remember that you have to set your TV to bitstream passthrough. If you go TV first.

As EARC is broken you might have to go to soundbar first. There is no such thing as video lag. But you will loose all the HDMI 2.1 capabilities. There can be audio lag if you go TV first.

Also if you go TV first then the TV needs to have the codec to pass through the signal to the soundbar. So for example the LG CX OLED lack DD support dropped this generation so there is no way to pass that through so even if you soundbar supports DD but you go TV first you will not get DD.... Mostly irrelevant for PC users as the PC decodes everything into LPCM.

 

In short if you do not need HDMI 2.1 go soundbar first no such thing as video lag. If you need HDMI 2.1 go TV first but read reviews carefully EARC is a broken dumpster fire can lead to audio lag.

Make sure you soundbar supports LPCM read reviews carefully.

Also soundbars without dedicated rear speakers and subwoofers are very mediocre in reproducing multichannel sound.

Right now one of the few soundbars that work with a PC without issues is the LG SN11RG 7.1.4  that also sounds good.

I have the Samsung q950t and surround sound does not work as expected we hope that Samsung issues an update to with LPCM