topic Re: KD-49XG9005 I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI in Android TV

KD-49XG9005 I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI

Pebbleridge — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 20:01:36 GMT

Hi Guys,

I have a KD-49XG9005 and I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI and what are the advantages/disadvantages of each method ?

Re: KD-49XG9005 I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI

LightFoot — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 20:44:10 GMT

Hi @Pebbleridge Optical is legacy and limited to DD 5.1 and should only be used if it is not possible to use HDMI ARC/eARC. HDMI carries all the latest audio formats like Dolby Atmos etc. and should always be your first choice. You can also use HDMI Control (Bravia Sync) to enable features like switching the soundbar off and on with the TV plus use the TV remote to control the soundbar.

Re: KD-49XG9005 I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI

Pebbleridge — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 08:53:24 GMT

Hi @LightFoot

Many thanks for your detailed explanation, I think I'll definitely go for HDMI (even though I'm not sure about the different audio formats involved).

I think I read somewhere that the HDMI ports on my KD-49XG9005 are not all the same. Is there one that I should use for a sound bar? I've looked on the "hints and tips" page for the KD-49XG9005 and it just says connect to HDMI port.

Re: KD-49XG9005 I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI

LightFoot — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:09:24 GMT

@Pebbleridge wrote:
I think I read somewhere that the HDMI ports on my KD-49XG9005 are not all the same. Is there one that I should use for a sound bar?

Hi @Pebbleridge Yes, you must use HDMI 3 (ARC). ARC = Audio Return Channel so any sound received by the TV, even from other HDMI ports, live TV or from TV Apps can play on the Soundbar.

Re: KD-49XG9005 I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI

Pebbleridge — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:24:32 GMT

Brilliant, I'll connect it to the one marked ARC.

Thanks for your help.

Re: KD-49XG9005 I'm adding a Soundbar, should I connect via optical or HDMI

Pebbleridge — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 16:34:18 GMT

All connected and working well.

But for some reason when I press the Input button on the remote to switch between my HDMI inputs I get six options, when I only have three boxes connected.

All three show up twice but with different descriptions.

I assume it's due to me turning on Bravia Sync, so my Soundbar works automatically, but I don't understand why it should change the input list.