Sound bar question

[r***@optonline.net]

I just today became the proud owner of a Sony 4K TV. It's a thing of beauty.

Anyway, as the sound comes out the bottom of the set, it's not great (the
picture is to die for). So I'm looking at sound bars.

The set is on a table stand, so I have no clearance to put a sound bar in front
of the TV. The remote sensor is only an inch above table level and between that
and the stand, I just can't do it.

While researching the problem, I found a bracket made by Center Stage which
mounts on top of the TV and which looks like it would be the perfect solution.

http://www.standsandmounts.com/centerstage32x5TVMountingPlatform-CSB-3205-ECO.aspx

But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high? The
TV I just retired, a Sony also, had a sound bar which sat on the table in front
of the set, with plenty of clearance. So it was about chest level. With this
bracket/shelf, it will be higher. This might sound like a stupid question, but
would the sound not be as good?

Also, I see some of the sound bars I'm looking at use HDMI connections. My set
has four HDMI plugs. Are these in and out? I don't see any specified as HDMI
OUT. Do you just plug the sound bar into the HDMI plug and the TV figures out to
send the sound out to the speakers?

As always, thanks.

[Jan B]

Post by r***@optonline.net
I just today became the proud owner of a Sony 4K TV. It's a thing of beauty.

...

Post by r***@optonline.net
Also, I see some of the sound bars I'm looking at use HDMI connections. My set
has four HDMI plugs. Are these in and out? I don't see any specified as HDMI
OUT. Do you just plug the sound bar into the HDMI plug and the TV figures out to
send the sound out to the speakers?

I don't have all the answers, but one of the HDMI ports on the TV is
probably marked "ARC". This means Audio Return Channel and has added
the capability of HDMI to send audio from the TV tuner (back) to an
audio amplifier (sound bar). It requires that the audio amplifier is
compatible with ARC. The function probably needs to be activated in a
user menu.

I believe that audio from other HDMI inputs on the TV also can be
output in ARC but you might need to check that.

Another way is to connect for examle a BluRay player to an HDMI input
on the audio amplifier, which taps the audio, and sends the video to
the TV.

(The direction of video in HDMI ports are fixed, input or output. TV:s
only have inputs.)

[Elmo P. Shagnasty]

Post by r***@optonline.net
I just today became the proud owner of a Sony 4K TV. It's a thing of beauty.
Anyway, as the sound comes out the bottom of the set, it's not great

yeah, welcome to the new world. The price of the TV gets you a screen.
Add your own sound.

I use ZVox, and am very happy. zvoxaudio.com

[Bill Gill]

Post by r***@optonline.net
I just today became the proud owner of a Sony 4K TV. It's a thing of beauty.
Anyway, as the sound comes out the bottom of the set, it's not great (the
picture is to die for). So I'm looking at sound bars.
The set is on a table stand, so I have no clearance to put a sound bar in front
of the TV. The remote sensor is only an inch above table level and between that
and the stand, I just can't do it.
While researching the problem, I found a bracket made by Center Stage which
mounts on top of the TV and which looks like it would be the perfect solution.
http://www.standsandmounts.com/centerstage32x5TVMountingPlatform-CSB-3205-ECO.aspx
But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high? The
TV I just retired, a Sony also, had a sound bar which sat on the table in front
of the set, with plenty of clearance. So it was about chest level. With this
bracket/shelf, it will be higher. This might sound like a stupid question, but
would the sound not be as good?
Also, I see some of the sound bars I'm looking at use HDMI connections. My set
has four HDMI plugs. Are these in and out? I don't see any specified as HDMI
OUT. Do you just plug the sound bar into the HDMI plug and the TV figures out to
send the sound out to the speakers?
As always, thanks.

I have a home built shelf mounted on the top of my TV with the
sound bar on it. It sounds just fine to me.

My sound bar uses HDMI by tapping it off of the feed from the
source to the TV. You connect the sound bar to the source and
the TV to the sound bar. The bar has a delay setting to delay the
sound so that it matches the picture. I don't use that, I use
the digital connection from the TV. That is a fiber optic
connection. One advantage of that is that you get the audio
no matter what source you are using. If you have several sources
you may be selecting among it would be a pain to have to also
select the source to feed the sound bar. It could be done with
an HDMI switch, but it is a lot handier to let the TV do the
selecting.

Bill

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

Post by Bill Gill

Post by r***@optonline.net
I just today became the proud owner of a Sony 4K TV. It's a thing of beauty.
Anyway, as the sound comes out the bottom of the set, it's not great (the
picture is to die for). So I'm looking at sound bars.
The set is on a table stand, so I have no clearance to put a sound bar in front
of the TV. The remote sensor is only an inch above table level and between that
and the stand, I just can't do it.
While researching the problem, I found a bracket made by Center Stage which
mounts on top of the TV and which looks like it would be the perfect solution.
http://www.standsandmounts.com/centerstage32x5TVMountingPlatform-CSB-3205-ECO.aspx
But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high? The
TV I just retired, a Sony also, had a sound bar which sat on the table in front
of the set, with plenty of clearance. So it was about chest level. With this
bracket/shelf, it will be higher. This might sound like a stupid question, but
would the sound not be as good?
Also, I see some of the sound bars I'm looking at use HDMI connections. My set
has four HDMI plugs. Are these in and out? I don't see any specified as HDMI
OUT. Do you just plug the sound bar into the HDMI plug and the TV figures out to
send the sound out to the speakers?
As always, thanks.

I have a home built shelf mounted on the top of my TV with the
sound bar on it. It sounds just fine to me.
My sound bar uses HDMI by tapping it off of the feed from the
source to the TV. You connect the sound bar to the source and
the TV to the sound bar. The bar has a delay setting to delay the
sound so that it matches the picture. I don't use that, I use
the digital connection from the TV. That is a fiber optic
connection. One advantage of that is that you get the audio
no matter what source you are using. If you have several sources
you may be selecting among it would be a pain to have to also
select the source to feed the sound bar. It could be done with
an HDMI switch, but it is a lot handier to let the TV do the
selecting.
Bill

My setup is similar to Bill in that I use an optical connection from
the TV to the sound bar. I have my old Samsung DLP on a stand, and
there are 2 shelves and I dedicated the lower one for the sound bar.
The only problem I'm having is setting up my Logitech Harmony One to
control the sound bar instead of using the sound bar remote. I don't
think it matters much whether the bar is above or below the set,
although they do caution in the manual to avoid placing it over
something that gets hot.

[Bill Gill]

Post by Charlie Hoffpauir
The only problem I'm having is setting up my Logitech Harmony One to
control the sound bar instead of using the sound bar remote.

I noticed that about the remote. I am still stuck with the sound bar
remote. I couldn't find a code to let the universal remote I have
work with the sound bar. It is minor, but still one of those annoyances
you run into with 'universal' remotes.

Bill

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

Post by Bill Gill

Post by Charlie Hoffpauir
The only problem I'm having is setting up my Logitech Harmony One to
control the sound bar instead of using the sound bar remote.

I noticed that about the remote. I am still stuck with the sound bar
remote. I couldn't find a code to let the universal remote I have
work with the sound bar. It is minor, but still one of those annoyances
you run into with 'universal' remotes.
Bill

Bill, There's snother thread where I asked about how to set up the
soundbar, got a suggestion, and it worked very well. It requires a
learning remote that will accept IR codes from a working remote.

[TeeJay1952]

Post by Bill Gill

Post by Charlie Hoffpauir
The only problem I'm having is setting up my Logitech Harmony One to
control the sound bar instead of using the sound bar remote.

I noticed that about the remote. I am still stuck with the sound bar
remote. I couldn't find a code to let the universal remote I have
work with the sound bar. It is minor, but still one of those annoyances
you run into with 'universal' remotes.

Did you try and set it up on the aux button? I just watched a Comcast
tech set up sound bar at my daughter's house.
What is the model number of your SB?
TeeJay1952

[Bill Gill]

Post by TeeJay1952

Post by Bill Gill

Post by Charlie Hoffpauir
The only problem I'm having is setting up my Logitech Harmony One to
control the sound bar instead of using the sound bar remote.

I noticed that about the remote. I am still stuck with the sound bar
remote. I couldn't find a code to let the universal remote I have
work with the sound bar. It is minor, but still one of those annoyances
you run into with 'universal' remotes.

Did you try and set it up on the aux button? I just watched a Comcast
tech set up sound bar at my daughter's house.
What is the model number of your SB?
TeeJay1952

I tried everything, I even called Cox, who supplied the remote.
They couldn't find anything either. Apparently there is no
code that will work, or at least Samsung hasn't provided one.

Bill

[r***@optonline.net]

Post by Charlie Hoffpauir

Post by Bill Gill

Post by r***@optonline.net
I just today became the proud owner of a Sony 4K TV. It's a thing of beauty.
Anyway, as the sound comes out the bottom of the set, it's not great (the
picture is to die for). So I'm looking at sound bars.
The set is on a table stand, so I have no clearance to put a sound bar in front
of the TV. The remote sensor is only an inch above table level and between that
and the stand, I just can't do it.
While researching the problem, I found a bracket made by Center Stage which
mounts on top of the TV and which looks like it would be the perfect solution.
http://www.standsandmounts.com/centerstage32x5TVMountingPlatform-CSB-3205-ECO.aspx
But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high? The
TV I just retired, a Sony also, had a sound bar which sat on the table in front
of the set, with plenty of clearance. So it was about chest level. With this
bracket/shelf, it will be higher. This might sound like a stupid question, but
would the sound not be as good?
Also, I see some of the sound bars I'm looking at use HDMI connections. My set
has four HDMI plugs. Are these in and out? I don't see any specified as HDMI
OUT. Do you just plug the sound bar into the HDMI plug and the TV figures out to
send the sound out to the speakers?
As always, thanks.

I have a home built shelf mounted on the top of my TV with the
sound bar on it. It sounds just fine to me.
My sound bar uses HDMI by tapping it off of the feed from the
source to the TV. You connect the sound bar to the source and
the TV to the sound bar. The bar has a delay setting to delay the
sound so that it matches the picture. I don't use that, I use
the digital connection from the TV. That is a fiber optic
connection. One advantage of that is that you get the audio
no matter what source you are using. If you have several sources
you may be selecting among it would be a pain to have to also
select the source to feed the sound bar. It could be done with
an HDMI switch, but it is a lot handier to let the TV do the
selecting.
Bill

My setup is similar to Bill in that I use an optical connection from
the TV to the sound bar. I have my old Samsung DLP on a stand, and
there are 2 shelves and I dedicated the lower one for the sound bar.
The only problem I'm having is setting up my Logitech Harmony One to
control the sound bar instead of using the sound bar remote. I don't
think it matters much whether the bar is above or below the set,
although they do caution in the manual to avoid placing it over
something that gets hot.

How good is an optical connection for sound quality? The TV and the sound bars
I'm looking at all have an optiocal connection.

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

Post by r***@optonline.net

Post by Charlie Hoffpauir

Post by Bill Gill

Post by r***@optonline.net
I just today became the proud owner of a Sony 4K TV. It's a thing of beauty.
Anyway, as the sound comes out the bottom of the set, it's not great (the
picture is to die for). So I'm looking at sound bars.
The set is on a table stand, so I have no clearance to put a sound bar in front
of the TV. The remote sensor is only an inch above table level and between that
and the stand, I just can't do it.
While researching the problem, I found a bracket made by Center Stage which
mounts on top of the TV and which looks like it would be the perfect solution.
http://www.standsandmounts.com/centerstage32x5TVMountingPlatform-CSB-3205-ECO.aspx
But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high? The
TV I just retired, a Sony also, had a sound bar which sat on the table in front
of the set, with plenty of clearance. So it was about chest level. With this
bracket/shelf, it will be higher. This might sound like a stupid question, but
would the sound not be as good?
Also, I see some of the sound bars I'm looking at use HDMI connections. My set
has four HDMI plugs. Are these in and out? I don't see any specified as HDMI
OUT. Do you just plug the sound bar into the HDMI plug and the TV figures out to
send the sound out to the speakers?
As always, thanks.

I have a home built shelf mounted on the top of my TV with the
sound bar on it. It sounds just fine to me.
My sound bar uses HDMI by tapping it off of the feed from the
source to the TV. You connect the sound bar to the source and
the TV to the sound bar. The bar has a delay setting to delay the
sound so that it matches the picture. I don't use that, I use
the digital connection from the TV. That is a fiber optic
connection. One advantage of that is that you get the audio
no matter what source you are using. If you have several sources
you may be selecting among it would be a pain to have to also
select the source to feed the sound bar. It could be done with
an HDMI switch, but it is a lot handier to let the TV do the
selecting.
Bill

My setup is similar to Bill in that I use an optical connection from
the TV to the sound bar. I have my old Samsung DLP on a stand, and
there are 2 shelves and I dedicated the lower one for the sound bar.
The only problem I'm having is setting up my Logitech Harmony One to
control the sound bar instead of using the sound bar remote. I don't
think it matters much whether the bar is above or below the set,
although they do caution in the manual to avoid placing it over
something that gets hot.

How good is an optical connection for sound quality? The TV and the sound bars
I'm looking at all have an optiocal connection.

Optical is "supposed" to be great, since it's digital. I think it's
essentially the same quality you'd get from the audio part of an HDMI
connection.... but that's just my guess.

[Ron]

On 5/1/2014 11:12 PM, ***@optonline.net wrote:
<snip>

Post by r***@optonline.net
But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high?

I have a huge center channel that sat on top of my old 45" Mitsubishi
RPTV. Now it sets on a self below my flat screen and is angled upward. I
can't tell any difference in the placement. My seating area is 10' away.

Here is a different brand for the same price. It appears to have a small
lip on the front so you could angle the speaker downward if needed.

http://www.centerstagebracket.com/3205.html

[Ron]

Post by Ron
<snip>

Post by r***@optonline.net
But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high?

I have a huge center channel that sat on top of my old 45" Mitsubishi
RPTV. Now it sets on a self below my flat screen and is angled upward. I
can't tell any difference in the placement. My seating area is 10' away.
Here is a different brand for the same price. It appears to have a small
lip on the front so you could angle the speaker downward if needed.
http://www.centerstagebracket.com/3205.html

Sorry, that is the same exact shelf, but the pictures look different.

http://www.standsandmounts.com/centerstage32x5TVMountingPlatform-CSB-3205-ECO.aspx

[r***@optonline.net]

Post by Ron
<snip>

Post by r***@optonline.net
But I'm wondering would the sound be affected by the speakers being up high?

I have a huge center channel that sat on top of my old 45" Mitsubishi
RPTV. Now it sets on a self below my flat screen and is angled upward. I
can't tell any difference in the placement. My seating area is 10' away.
Here is a different brand for the same price. It appears to have a small
lip on the front so you could angle the speaker downward if needed.
http://www.centerstagebracket.com/3205.html

Thanks Ron, I actually just ordered that bracket, right after I ordered the new
Sony sound bar. I'm hoping everything will be up and running by Tuesday or so.