Sky Soundbox - connecting by optical only?

[BurnleyLad]

Hello, I hope somebody can help me.

I have had constant issues with my Soundbox since purchasing it a few months ago.

When I switch my TV and Sky Q box on, and then switch my Soundbox on in the HDMI output option (all connected by HDMI cables), I often get a 'no input' error message on my TV screen.  The only way I have found to resolve this is by resetting my TV.

I noted that there is an optical cable connected from my Soundbox to my TV, so I have removed the HDMI cable from between my Soundbox and my TV,  choose the optical output on my Soundbox, and everything works first time, every time.

What (if anything) am I missing out on by using optical, rather than HDMI?

Thank you.

[mike+simmonds]

Hi @BurnleyLad 

The main thing you are missing by using optical - is the ability to use the Soundbox sound modes (the ones available by pressing ? on your Q remote while in HDMI mode)

Just checking - you have a high speed HDMI cable out of your Sky box and in to your Soundbox. Then a second high speed HDMI cable - out of your Soundbox and in to your TV ? 

[BurnleyLad]

Thanks for your reply.

I've not considered that... how would I know if they are high speed or not?

[mike+simmonds]

Hi @BurnleyLad 

It's not as easy as you would want it to be to identify high speed 😐

Some will have a sticker on or printing which says high speed in tiny writing on the length of the cable 

The newer Sky cables with pink ends are high speed but there are some older Sky pink end ones which are standard 

If a cable says "standard" it won't be high speed 

There's a link here with some information- but if in doubt you could try a couple of inexpensive Amazon basics cables. You don't really need to spend more than a few pounds 

https://www.hdmi.org/resource/cables 

This may not be your solution but trying different cables is definitely a good starting point