[Lidtop2013]

Ok so i know this means Audio Return Channel, and i get what it does, but what i want to know is, if for example i have a tv with an ARC HDMI socket, and then i get a soundbar with ARC, do i just connect both of these together(and to my SKY HD box) to get sound from the soundbar?, or do i also need an AV receiver to get sound from it?

Thanks

[Cooter]

You simply connect the both directly together, no need for av receiver. There's also no need to connect the bar to your sky as the bar is now directly connected to your telly and will play each and every sound that the tv does.

And for other peoples info, an arc hdmi connection means the tv has the ability to turn on/off another device when itself is turned on/off. And in the case of soundbars most will also work alongside the same volume controls on the telly. All very clever and handy.

[Deacon1972]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooter

You simply connect the both directly together, no need for av receiver. There's also no need to connect the bar to your sky as the bar is now directly connected to your telly and will play each and every sound that the tv does.
And for other peoples info, an arc hdmi connection means the tv has the ability to turn on/off another device when itself is turned on/off. And in the case of soundbars most will also work alongside the same volume controls on the telly. All very clever and handy.

ARC meerly carries the audio from the TV to the amp/soundbar, CEC is what controls the on/off functions of the amp/soundbar.

[gomezz]

And different manufacturers call CEC by some other name to make it sound as if it is a special feature unique to their equipment. For example Samsung call it Anynet+.

[Lidtop2013]

Brilliant, thanks for the info guys.

I still don't understand how a soundbar can produce any sound without being hooked up to a amp/reciever ? As far as I know any LCD TV or soundbars do not have an inbuilt amp?

[gomezz]

Both TV sets and soundbars do have inbuilt amps. Just like a portable radio for example. They may be small, low-powered jobbies but they are amps all the same. Where the soundbar scores over the flatscreen TV set is the room to have decent size speakers which is why they improve the sound a lot. But for lots of heft and the full on surround sound experience then yes a separate AV amp and speakers are really needed.

[Lidtop2013]

Ok I understand now. I'm new to the AV world, just wanted to get myself abit more clued up before I start buying or being told aload of rubbish by a sales person!