ATMOS Sound Bar on a old 5.1 Optical Setup

bargrin on 15/05/2020 - 00:00
Last edited 15/05/2020 - 01:25

So this is a Home theater enthusiast question so sorry about wrong website, dont know where to go ask this question.

However, the following is about adding a low cost ATMOS setup in addition to an old 5.1 system, so having 2 audio systems running at the same time (one on HDMI ARC, and other on Optical Out).

My question is….
For those with a single unit ATMOS soundbar with HDMI ARC, does your tv still get audio signal from the ATMOS soundbar so TV can output audio from TV optical out?

This is my plan but not sure my thinking on ARC is correct, as ARC might only output video into 4k TV and not audio?

I have:

  • Sony 4k tv with HDMI ARC in
  • Yamaha amp non-hdmi with optical for DTS/DD
  • Sub + rears speakers so true 5.1
  • Apple tv for ATMOS content

The current setup is
Apple tv 4k >> Sony 4k TV (optical out) >> Yamaha amp (optical in) = DTS/DD 5.1

Can I get this:
Apple tv 4k >> ATMOS Soundbar (HDMI ARC) >> Sony TV (HDMI ARC In) = ATMOS
Plus at the same time
Apple tv 4k >> ATMOS Soundbar (HDMI ARC) >> Sony TV (Optical out) >> Yamaha amp (optical in) = DTS/DD 5.1

No doubt the Apple TV with ATMOS movie would give me ATMOS sound on the ATMOS soundbar BUT more importantly would a DolbyD audio signal still flow through the ARC via optical to my Yamaha for Dolby digital 5.1?

The only reason to have this set up is to ADD the ATMOS fire upwards channels to my current 5.1 system.

I dont want a new amp or a new 5.1 sound bar requiring new rears and subwoofer. I just want add ATMOS fire upwards speakers.

But it all depends if ARC sends a dolby digital audio signal to Sony TV or does ARC only send 4K video signal out of sound bar and into TV?

Entertainment

Comments

  • ShortyX on 15/05/2020 - 00:37
    +1

    Even if it works (you'd need to check the TV specs), I don't think it's going to give you the desired result you're after.

  • cyssero on 15/05/2020 - 01:13
    +2

    This scenario gave me a bit of a headache but in short, you can't use your Yamaha and an Atmos soundbar at the same time. Your only options are to either replace your amp and buy new speakers, or get an Atmos soundbar.

    • bargrin on 15/05/2020 - 01:26

      ok have reworded to make it eaiser to read.

  • dizzle on 15/05/2020 - 08:50

    I've seen similar questions in the past where people thought they could use a soundbar as a center speaker for their system, and the answer is no.

    1) most (if not all) soundbars only have input for sound (Even if it uses the arc part of the HDMIarc, they only use that to pass through the video to the TV)
    2) even if it did play to both systems you get the same sound through both (It won't isolate the upwards firing speakers to the soundbar, instead it will play all speakers through the soundbar and 5.1 speakers through the amp - it will sound really messy)

  • MynyMouqe on 15/05/2020 - 09:11

    As others have said - it won't work the way you want it to work, the soundbar will fire at all times and not just add the ATMOS directions.

    Two real choices - new amp, or move to a good soundbar.

  • bargrin on 09/06/2020 - 18:07

    For anyone interested, I did the above test that is:

    Plugged in a 3.1.2 ATMOS soundbar to TV via hdmi arc

    AND

    Plugged in a 5.1 sound system via optical out of TV

    So two sets of speakers both playing at ATMOS 3.1.2 and DD 5.1 at same time, GREAT but….

    There is a sound delay between each system which makes the sound just echo, maybe I could fix the delay in 5.1 amp but thought screw it.

    Put the money from the ATMOS soundbar into a new 5.2.2 yamaha ATMOS receiver instead.

    Now need to get rid of my old onkyo THX 7.1 beast

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