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Question

TV, TiVo, Blu-ray, speakerboard set up

Hi, wonder if you might be able to help with advice on linking these devices.

I have just bought a Panasonic SC-HTE80EB-K speaker board.

In addition, I have a Panasonic TX-L42ET5B TV, Virgin Media TiVo box and Panasonic blue ray player (DMP-BDT120). 

I’m not sure how best to connect the devices, while maintaining best sound quality and operability.

The speaker board has one HDMI input and an HDMI ARC. The TV has 3 HDMI and 1 HDMI ARC. The TiVo, TV and Speaker board all have digital optical sockets too. I have heard that sometimes if a TV is used as the hub then the TV may not transfer 5.1 sound or some of the new high resolution audio formats through from devices to a sound bar / speaker board via ARC. Not sure if that is really true or would matter in this particular set up though?

A couple of options I guess could be

TiVo (HDMI) to Speaker Board (HDMI)
Speaker Board (HDMI ARC) to TV (HDMI ARC)
Blue Ray (HDMI) to TV (HDMI)

Or

TiVo (HDMI) to TV (HDMI)
Blue Ray (HDMI) to TV (HDMI)
TV (HDMI ARC) to Speaker Board (HDMI ARC)

I don’t want to blow anything up though :-o

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
To expand on what Bob wrote, you need a receiver
Jul 17, 2016 1:34PM PDT

Even without the ability to reproduce surround or high resolution formats due to you lack of proper speakers, you *still* might not see certain sound tracks be passed along _at all_ by running things first to the HDTV then via ARC or digital optical back to the soundbar. It's always trial and error, hence Bob's advice to test it out with a real AV receiver.

Ultimately, you would benefit from eventually upgrading to even a HTIB (home theater in a box) type system. Speakerboard (=what we call soundbars in the US) does not offer good sound, even vs a very entry level 5.1 speaker system w/ sub. You simply don't have any separation, which is required to properly give you the full sound stage possible in your listening/viewing space(s).

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Answer
Try the usual
Jul 16, 2016 8:35AM PDT

Since you don't have a receiver put all sources to the TV and test it out on optical and ARC.

As to 5.1, the speaker system you listed does not seem to have the 6 speakers needed for 5.1 so no loss.