soundbar for Sony KD-43XD8305

[ch3nks]

I have a Sony KD-43XD8305 (Android TV) and looking to add a soundbar.
What options do I have that will integrate seemlessly with my TV? ie be able to continue to use the TV remote and not have to use a second remote to control the soundbar?

My TV has a STB connected via HMDI for live TV (HD with DD5.1 on select channels) and a BDP-S6700 blu-ray player. A PS4 Pro may be added to replace the blu-ray player at some point. The Sony TV remote controls all my devices (via HDMI CEC).

I have the Plex app installed and use that to play tv shows/movies from my plex server. Content has audio formats up to and including DTS-HD.

So what options do I have? Ideally i'd be happy to use the soundbar as the permanent sound ouput for everything, but don't really want to have to use seperate remote for the soundbar.

[LightFoot]

Hi @ch3nks

I would image most of the Sony Soundbars would meet your needs. Just make sure it has a HDMI out to connect to your TV HDMI ARC. That way the TV remote will fully control the Soundbar.

There is something available for most setups. I use a HT-ZF9 with SA-Z9R rear wireless speakers but the HT-RT3/5 with bluetooth may suit if you are on a budget.

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/home-cinema/t/sound-bars

[ch3nks]

hmmm £650 for the ZF9 is more than i want to pay really 

i did look at the ht-xf9000 though?

[ch3nks]

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@LightFoot wrote:

Hi @ch3nks

I would image most of the Sony Soundbars would meet your needs. Just make sure it has a HDMI out to connect to your TV HDMI ARC. That way the TV remote will fully control the Soundbar.

There is something available for most setups. I use a HT-ZF9 with SA-Z9R rear wireless speakers but the HT-RT3/5 with bluetooth may suit if you are on a budget.

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/home-cinema/t/sound-bars

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so i've looked further at the ZF9, and it seems good but one possible snag.
the height of it is 6.4cm, but if it sat in front of my TV it would cover the IR port on the front of TV (that sits about 5.5cm from the base of the TV).

my TV sits on top of a TV cabinet, and there would be no other place to sit the soundbar. i'm guessing i would have this proble with most soundbars.

so do i have any solutions to get round this?

[Marino.Manolo]

HT-RT5

Enabling the IR Repeater Function (when you cannot control the TV), Pag. 37:

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/res/manuals/4570/45701182M.pdf

Manolo

[ch3nks]

that's a bluetooth device?
how would that help when using the TV remote to control the TV?

oh wait, you mean the IR repeater... i think the TV came with one of this, wonder if i can find it.

[Marino.Manolo]

Is supplied also with HT-RT5...

Manolo

[LightFoot]

Hi @ch3nks  Here is an extract from the HT-ZF9 manual.

When the main unit obstructs the remote control sensor of the TV, the TV remote control may not work. In that case, enable the IR repeater function of the system. You can control the TV with the TV remote control by sending the remote signal from the rear of the main unit.

1 Press HOME. The home menu appears on the TV screen.
2 Select [Setup] - [Advanced Settings] on the home menu.
3 Select [System Settings] - [IRRepeater] The [IR-Repeater] screen appears on the TV screen.
4 Select [On].

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/res/manuals/4727/d1ff451e44dc39fc895aec29e654d9a6/4727533...

[ch3nks]

ah so the soundbar itself an act as an IR repeater, so i point to the soundbar and the soundbar then sends that IR on the TV... good to know!

[LightFoot]

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@ch3nks wrote:

that's a bluetooth device?
how would that help when using the TV remote to control the TV?

oh wait, you mean the IR repeater... i think the TV came with one of this, wonder if i can find it.

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Hi @ch3nks  Just to be clear the IR-Repeater is built in on the HT-ZF9. You don't need the one that came with the TV. Quite simply the soundbar picks up the signal from the front and repeats it out of the rear of the unit.