Got a Samsung Bluray/surround sound system that has an issue with intermittent shut downs. I need to replace it but there's nothing wrong with the sub or speakers. Also don't use blurays or dvds anymore so was wondering if I can just buy a new unit and use my existing sub and speakers?
Would prefer Samsung so I can stick to the one remote.
HDMI-CEC should allow you to use one remote regardless of brand.
As for the rest of the question, a model number would be helpful. A "system" could be anything.
You should be able to buy an A/V amp that will do a similar job, I did the same thing a few years ago. You need to check your speaker impedance as some 'all in one' systems are a bit odd. We needed to replace our sub too as the Pioneer one we had was powered by the dvd player originally. Ended up with a Sony amp that matched our telly and works off either remote for changing the volume.
A/V amps are generally massive - so worth checking the size first if it's to go into a small space.
Tempted to just get a soundboard and sub. Some on offer for less than £100.
*soundbar
I got a £99 Samsung soundbar and woofer from argos this year...it was okay very loud...but last week we got a new Samsung tv...oh my now its sounds so so sweet and work off the TV controller...defo worth getting the same brand...
Not bothered about the volume. Id rather clarity at low volume. Really dislike watching anything that keeps going from very quite talking to very loud action. My current system has a night mode that amplifies the quieter parts and quietens the loud parts. Perfect for 100% of the time. Id like something like that.
…defo worth getting the same brand…
You don't need to get the same brand to get them to talk. Any modern system will be able to talk to each other via HDMI-CEC.
Really dislike watching anything that keeps going from very quite talking to very loud action
thats just how things should be though, makes the viewing experience much better, if the talking is to quiet turn the volume up, will make the loud action parts even better. which is why i generally watch films early evening so i don't disturb the neighbours to much.
most decent sound systems will have a setting that will enhance the talking for when you don't want it to loud like the night mode you mention.
not sure i would spend as little as £100 on a soundbar and sub, can't imagine the sound quality would be any good at that price
Just bought a Samsung soundbar with sub. £229.
Sounds pretty good so far. Connected via optical lead.
Can't work out how to get the TV remote (Samsung universal remote) to control the soundbar though. Tried a few methods but no luck yet.
Samsung website says:
Use the TV remote to navigate to Settings, select Sound,
and then select Sound Output on your Samsung TV.
Select your Samsung soundbar, and then select Close. Now you can use your TV remote to adjust volume and mute the soundbar. The soundbar should also turn on and off with the TV.
When I do this, I can select optical out but there is no option to select the soundbar. The sound works but want to at least be able to power on and off with the TV.
You would need to connect with hdmi arc output from the tv. This can pass remote control signals via cec as well as audio where as an optical connection cannot as it’s just pure pcm (pulse coded modulation) sound.
The soundbar doesn't have HDMI. Only optical, USB, Bluetooth.
In the nicest way possible…
Your speakers and sub are 👎🏼 It’s a passive sub and a cheap one and that.
As others have said sound bar and a decent active Subwoofer.
Give your current system to an inquisitive child and let them take it apart. Used to love taking old electric things apart when I was a lad in the 70/80s !
Use HDMI not Toslink
How can a £230 sound bar not have HDMI inputs? Send it back.
In any case. You're not going to be able to control it from the TV over optical, rather you'll need to reprogram the remote. There will be some sort of Vulcan Nerve Pinch you need to do followed by a 4-digit code.
I'd go straight to Ebay and get a good quality old 2 channel amp and speakers. Will p*** all over what you have in terms of sound.
I'll try to return it tomorrow. Boxxed back up. The next model up has hdmi. That's £250 and can't afford any more than that yet.
Sound wise it was good. Had a voice enhancer etc. Just didn't realise I needed hdmi too.
You don't -need- HDMI. However if you want to use a single remote then you will either need to reprogram the remote as I said above, or have both ends supporting HDMI-CEC (which I think Samsung call Anynet, but it's just Marketing and they're all the same thing across multiple brands) and HDMI-ARC on the TV to send the audio to it (there's likely a specific port for it and this is what your Settings stuff above is looking for).
I would really appreciate it if someone else sanity-checked what I've just said before you spend any more money though...! I've never used ARC myself because I've always gone the other way, amp as source rather than destination.
My experience:
I had an old Samsung telly (it had CEC, but no ARC) - I ended up getting a Samsung soundbar and wireless sub - can't remember how much it was, mid range I think?
Because my TV didn't have ARC I had to use optical connection, but the Samsung TV remote controlled the soundbar as well as the telly. I was very happy with how it all worked - but the sound was a bit "meh" - it was ok, but I was expecting better.
Fast forward to 2021 - spaffed some cash on a new LG OLED tv. Threw away the optical cable and connected the soundbar via HDMI to the telly. I was really taken-back by the improved sound quality - like it was a really noticeable improvement. I think it's because the new TV (and the using HDMI vs optical) was allowing some sort of improved audio decoding Voodoo - the soundbar said it was now doing DTS - whatever that it, I don't really know anything about it, only that it's good.
However if you want to use a single remote then you will either need to reprogram the remote as I said above, or have both ends supporting HDMI-CEC (which I think Samsung call Anynet, but it’s just Marketing and they’re all the same thing across multiple brands) and HDMI-ARC on the TV to send the audio to it (there’s likely a specific port for it and this is what your Settings stuff above is looking for).
This is also my understanding.
my stuff is all panasonic but would imagine they all work the same. sky Q and bluray(not that i ever use it) connect straight to the tv and then tv to soundbar via hdmi ARC on both. tv remote turns soundbar on/alters volume, sky remote turns everything on and alters volume.
viera link is what panasonic call the CEC
only time i need the sounbar remote is to change settings which once setup i never have
