In my experience, most TV and speakers salesmen in places like Harvey Norman, Best Denki etc, have no idea what they are talking about other than trying to sell you stuff. Lol.

Not enough info. Not quiet understand what you did, but.

A simple setup would be:
1) Soundbar to TV HDMI ARC. TV Digital Coax/Optical out to Soundbar Digital Coax/Optical In.
2) PS4 to TV HDMI ( Connect to 4K HDR Capable HDMI, check TV manual which one).
3) Astro connect to soundbar via HDMI? If there is no sound, check for settings in Astro. If still cannot maybe you need to use the analog connectors from Astro box to your soundbar (i assume your soundbar has analog inputs.).

Actually, current ARC implementation doesn't support any of those. It's pretty much same as optical, only DD and DTS 5.1. DD+ is hit and miss at best. Only advantage of ARC currently is CEC.

We have to wait for future implementation of eARC to get proper implementation.

https://www.lifewire.com/audio-return-channel-1846845

I am curious, do you get DD True HD, DD Atmos etc from your TV to your soundbar via ARC?

I can't say for sure your HDMI cables back in 2008 capable of high speed or not. If wanna be sure, just buy a UGREEN cable lah...cheap only. In fact i have a UGREEN 3M cable capable of 4k60p lying around the house, bought wrongly (too long, need shorter). If you want can PM me.

This post has been edited by skyforcerld: Apr 22 2019, 10:40 AM

yeah, usually those came with the equipments are good quality. Like if you got PS4, use the HDMI cable that comes with PS4 to test.

ic, basically this means the traditional way of sending the signal to the soundbar/AVR for decode, not returning via ARC.

Maybe you don't have the right source? I have tested a couple of DD True HD and DTS-MA, can tell the difference significantly.

All my cables are cheap. Ayam cheap jing.

I have ear wax problem also...sometimes if after done some ear vacumming by the doctor, then my ears can hear super sharp like tingling like spiderman... haha. You must try it!

I haven't heard the sound quality, so won't comment on that. But feature wise, the Samsung does not have a HDMI ARC port. At this price point, it is probably not an issue though.

I think all the soundbar are very compact, the Samsung subwoofer is a passive subwoofer and is relatively small. Not those big ass subwoofer i think, so just choose the one with the sound you feel best without worrying about size.

What!!! Rm 1200!!! Buy now, wait for what!!! Too bad ayam not in Sibu...

RM1000 to RM2000 very big range different wor. How to recommend like that???

First thing is you should test it out at showrooms like Harvey Norman. And then go somewhere else to buy.

I check out TVs at HN, then buy from Lapsada....test out soundbar at HN, then bought from DESA....haha.

Psst. don't tell HN...

This post has been edited by skyforcerld: Apr 29 2019, 05:03 PM

Depends on what you want...I cannot say it for you. What i want is not what you want.

I think all soundbars will have optical connectivity for those around RM1K and above.

You have to understand the features you want, then look out for those models within your budget and test them out.

Features you probably should look out for (whether you want them is depends on you):
1. Multiple HDMI in (usually soundbars have very few HDMI in, not a critical point as a HDMI Switch can solve the problem, but you will need to pay more).
2. Passthrough of 4K60p HDR - This is important if you want to have Media box to pass in this or play PS4 Pro and future consoles.
3. Decode standard - Dolby Digital, DTS, DD Atmos etc. Usually i think you will only get Atmos around RM2k soundbar. If you intend to watch lots of Bluray or download large files with DD Atmos. Otherwise, not needed.
4. Separate subwoofer - for sound quality purpose or space constraint purpose. For me example, i already have a good subwoofer, so i chose a soundbar with an external subwoofer output port(not all soundbar have this, usually those come with a subwoofer will not have this).

So you think carefully what you want first.

This post has been edited by skyforcerld: Apr 29 2019, 05:22 PM

Current implementation of ARC is cacat. It works but not perfect and may have compatibility issues. But i believe all soundbar at around RM1K range above should have this. If you are using a Smart or Android TV, and you are using the TV NETFLIX ex, then you need to return the sound to the soundbar. Based on my personal experience, the HDMI ARC is dodgy, sometimes work, sometimes doesn't.

And even if it works, i encountered audio delay (logical...video displayed on TV, then only pass to soundbar/AVR). If the TV doesn't have option to delay the video (so that the audio can catch up to the video in the soundbar), then you will have this issue. 2 ways to solve this audio sync problem:
1. Use the optical connector to return sound from TV to soundbar. This solves the problem maybe 98%. Close enough, but in reality there is still a slight audio delay but not noticeable.

2. Use an external Android TV box to play your Netflix or whatever by hooking to the HDMI IN of the soundbar. This will guarantee to get rid of audio delays as the audio will get processed first before video passed to TV. If audio is too fast, you can delay the audio in maybe your soundbar (depends if got settings or not...low end probably don;t have) or your player software. Usually this is best bet solution.

Anyway, it depends on the TV and soundbar you have, if your HDMI ARC works without any noticeable delays, then great! You don't have to worry.

Btw, you can also connect your PS4 Pro directly to the TV. Ensure it is connected to a HDMI which support 4K 60p and HDR (Usually, not all the HDMI IN port support it, maybe 1 or 2 ports only). But again, you might face audio delay function as above as the sound will rely on the HDMI ARC to go back to the sound bar.

PS: If you need a subwoofer, then yes, get a soundbar with subwooofer, make sure it's wireless subwoofer!

This post has been edited by skyforcerld: Apr 30 2019, 09:54 AM

Yep, that is exactly correct.

Usually most soundbar in RM1K range will have at least 2 (1 HDMI-IN, 1 HDMI ARC). The higher end more expensive soundbar will have 3 HDMI-IN...usually i seen most also 3. Maybe the really expensive one like RM 4k to RM 5k got 4 HDMIs or more.

One solution is to use a HDMI switch. However, if there is only 1 HDMI-IN you will need to make sure the HDMI switch support 4K60p HDR for your PS4 Pro and future devices (these type of HDMI Switch still seems rare/expensive and i am not sure if will work. Saw cheap ones like RM 60++ to nearly RM200 for expensive ones).

Please dont buy SK8. Outdated model. It is only HDMI 1.4 and doesnt support 4K60p HDR passthrough.

Another thing to take note is to make sure your PC capable of 4K and HDR, if you want to playback 4K with HDR.

I think i saw online Rm 13xx for YAS-207, i think that is the cheapest i saw.

This post has been edited by skyforcerld: May 2 2019, 11:01 AM

Is it? I thought i saw RM 1499 at HN.

YAS-108 they already sell at RM 1100.

This post has been edited by skyforcerld: May 2 2019, 11:35 AM

I suggest Desa Home in Kepong. Guaranteed cheaper there.

I think this one one mahal right?

Honestly, the best soundbar i have heard is the Yamaha YSP series 5600 or something, the mid range 2700 also very good. The sound beam projection is amazing, the surround effect better than my 5.1 setup. But you must have proper room with reflective walls.

What Dolby Atmos DTS:X soundbar also no fight.

This post has been edited by skyforcerld: May 4 2019, 09:12 AM