Sky Stream Dolby Atmos to HDMI eArc on TV

[MickMaserati]

I will be changing my old Panasonic Plasma TV for a brand new Samsung QN90D so that I can take advantage of Dolby Atmos (I will also upgrade my Sky Stream subscription to include Sky UHD / Dolby Atmos).
Will I have to connect my Sky Stream Puck to the eArc HDMI port on the new TV for the Dolby Patmos to work (and will I need an upgraded certified HDMI cable)?

[MickMaserati]

Sorry! Just realised I should have posted this in Sky Stream section. Please ignore; I'll repost in Stream section.

[nigea99]

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@MickMaserati wrote:

I will be changing my old Panasonic Plasma TV for a brand new Samsung QN90D so that I can take advantage of Dolby Atmos (I will also upgrade my Sky Stream subscription to include Sky UHD / Dolby Atmos).
Will I have to connect my Sky Stream Puck to the eArc HDMI port on the new TV for the Dolby Patmos to work (and will I need an upgraded certified HDMI cable)?

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No SKY Stream should not go into the (e)ARC Port

ARC Ports are used for Audio to any sound equipment (ARC  standing for Audio Return Channel) - So any other equipment such as SKY Stream / Apple TV boxes / Firesticks should be used on input only ports

Edit : Depending on your lead it is unlikely you will need a new HDMI cable as I think Stream comes with leads  suitable for UHD/HDR & Atmos 

Out of interest what are you planning to listen to the Atmos sound on ?

BTW as you may see I have moved your post to the Stream board

[MickMaserati]

I will be replacing my old Panasonic Plasma TV with a new TV with Dolby Atmos capability. I will be upgrading my Sky Stream subscription to  include UHD / Dolby Atmos, and will be fitting a new HDMI 2.1 certified cable to my Stream Puc.

To help with my choice of TV, can you tell me if the new TV will need to have an eArc HDMI port to connect the Sky Stream Puc in order that Dolby Atmos will work? 

[nigea99 · Accepted solution]

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@MickMaserati wrote:

I will be replacing my old Panasonic Plasma TV with a new TV with Dolby Atmos capability. I will be upgrading my Sky Stream subscription to  include UHD / Dolby Atmos, and will be fitting a new HDMI 2.1 certified cable to my Stream Puc.

To help with my choice of TV, can you tell me if the new TV will need to have an eArc HDMI port to connect the Sky Stream Puc in order that Dolby Atmos will work? 

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hi @MickMaserati 

As you are asking a slightly different question to the one you originally posted I have merged your posts rather than just remove the duplicate.

These days I think most TVs will have eARC ports as most have had ARC ports for several years & I think now willhave  eARC as that has been out for a while.

Atmos on SKY Stream currently does not need the extra bandwith of eARC over its older standard ARC connection

As per my previous post the Stream should be connected to any other input HDMI input on the TV & then any Sound bar or AV receiver plugged into the (e)ARC port 

If you are not using any sound equipment to listen to the Atmos sound but using the TVs internal speakers then in theory you can use the (e)ARC port but in this case the fact it is an ARC port is irrelevant  but as I say,  really the (e)ARC Ports are intended for Audio equipment   

[MickMaserati]

Many thanks for your clear and helpful reply. My intent ultimately is to add a soundbar connected to the TV through the eARC Port, hence my concern that the Sky Puc would use up the only eARC Port on my chosen TV.

I'm relieved to see from your reply that  I connect the Sky Puc to an input  HDMI Port and then connect the soundbar to the output eARC Port.

I'm hoping to take advantage of Dolby Atmos on selected Sky Cinema movies, selected sports events on Sky Sport, and music through Amazon Music Unlimited  (acessed through Sky Stream).

Thanks again.

[nigea99]

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@MickMaserati wrote:

Many thanks for your clear and helpful reply. My intent ultimately is to add a soundbar connected to the TV through the eARC Port, hence my concern that the Sky Puc would use up the only eARC Port on my chosen TV.

I'm relieved to see from your reply that  I connect the Sky Puc to an input  HDMI Port and then connect the soundbar to the output eARC Port.

I'm hoping to take advantage of Dolby Atmos on selected Sky Cinema movies, selected sports events on Sky Sport, and music through Amazon Music Unlimited  (acessed through Sky Stream).

Thanks again.

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I am pleased to see that you are considering a Sound bar as inbuilt Atmos from a TV can be rather limiting.

The effect of Atmos particularly from a TV can be limited by where  the TV or Sound bar is placed.

You have more control with a separate sound bar 

My Tv has Atmos sound included but as I have a high ceiling the upward firing sound is virtually completely lost. (TBH the Atmos or even 5.1 sound is very limited from the TV)

Do try and listen to the Sound bar before buying as there is quite a range range end even if they are Atmos capable , it doesn;t mean you will get great sound (although I admit I am biased as I have an AV amp and separate speakers)  

BTW Personally, I have been quite disappointed with  the Atmos tracks I have listened  to via Amazon Music & found I have to, also,  ramp up the volume significantly 

[MickMaserati]

Yes; I too have a current hi-fi set up (Marantz separates) and I'm concerned that even with a sound bar Dolby Atmos might be a bit disappointing by comparison. 
So, I'll certainly take your advice and listen to a number of soundbars before purchasing (and be prepared to have to go up market to get a decent sound experience).

I'm thinking it might be better to go for a less expensive TV (eg TCL) and a more expensive soundbar.

Thanks again.

[Ellie_TV]

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@MickMaserati wrote:

Yes; I too have a current hi-fi set up (Marantz separates) and I'm concerned that even with a sound bar Dolby Atmos might be a bit disappointing by comparison. 
So, I'll certainly take your advice and listen to a number of soundbars before purchasing (and be prepared to have to go up market to get a decent sound experience).

I'm thinking it might be better to go for a less expensive TV (eg TCL) and a more expensive soundbar.

Thanks again.

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The effect of Dolby Atmos will really depend on your expectations.

In all honesty, most soundbars, even those with full Dolby Atmos certification are only merely offering a means of outputting a Dolby Atmos signal. The actual effect of that output varies immensely, depending on the quality of the soundbar, the position of the speakers within it, the acoustics of the room it is positioned in, etc. 

A long, thin oblong with speakers inside it can only do so much at projecting sound in different directions. In some living rooms it can sound excellent, in others it can be distinctly mediocre. It depends on what type of sound you have experienced before. You won't ever get a cinema-like immersive sound field from a soundbar. You'll get a pseudo-surround effect which can sometimes feel quite enveloping, depending on how sound is bounced off your walls. 

To get a true Atmos experience you really need rear surround speakers and downward firing speakers above you, along with proper amplification. If this isn't possible then it's worthwhile auditioning a few different soundbars in your own home because the acoustic of your own living room, not a demo room in an electrical store or a department store, will be very different.   

Good luck. 

[MickMaserati]

Thanks for this. It's really useful to get your reality check, as opposed to the hype from equipment manufacturers. You've helped shape my expectations especially given that the room where my TV is located is very large and with exceptionally high ceilings. Bottom line seems to be to audition any equipment in the room prior to purchase. It may be that I'd have to consider a 'proper' cinematic surround sound setup if I really want to benefit from Dolby Atmos. So, one step at a time. Thanks again.

[nigea99]

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@Ellie_TV wrote:

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The effect of Dolby Atmos will really depend on your expectations.

In all honesty, most soundbars, even those with full Dolby Atmos certification are only merely offering a means of outputting a Dolby Atmos signal. The actual effect of that output varies immensely, depending on the quality of the soundbar, the position of the speakers within it, the acoustics of the room it is positioned in, etc. 

A long, thin oblong with speakers inside it can only do so much at projecting sound in different directions. In some living rooms it can sound excellent, in others it can be distinctly mediocre. It depends on what type of sound you have experienced before. You won't ever get a cinema-like immersive sound field from a soundbar. You'll get a pseudo-surround effect which can sometimes feel quite enveloping, depending on how sound is bounced off your walls. 

To get a true Atmos experience you really need rear surround speakers and downward firing speakers above you, along with proper amplification. If this isn't possible then it's worthwhile auditioning a few different soundbars in your own home because the acoustic of your own living room, not a demo room in an electrical store or a department store, will be very different.   

Good luck. 

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@Ellie_TV 

Thank you - I just wanted to say how well, I feel.  you have summed  this up & expressed in clear terms my thoughts that I have not fully managed to say.. 

I know I am biased having a 7.1.2 separate speaker system with a full Atmos/DTS:X AV amp & I think I am, sometimes, too careful in trying not to show this bias to customers who for many reasons may be limited Sound bars etc.   

I hope this discussion does not archived so that I may be able to point others in future to your summary

[Ellie_TV]

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@nigea99 wrote:

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@Ellie_TV wrote:

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The effect of Dolby Atmos will really depend on your expectations.

In all honesty, most soundbars, even those with full Dolby Atmos certification are only merely offering a means of outputting a Dolby Atmos signal. The actual effect of that output varies immensely, depending on the quality of the soundbar, the position of the speakers within it, the acoustics of the room it is positioned in, etc. 

A long, thin oblong with speakers inside it can only do so much at projecting sound in different directions. In some living rooms it can sound excellent, in others it can be distinctly mediocre. It depends on what type of sound you have experienced before. You won't ever get a cinema-like immersive sound field from a soundbar. You'll get a pseudo-surround effect which can sometimes feel quite enveloping, depending on how sound is bounced off your walls. 

To get a true Atmos experience you really need rear surround speakers and downward firing speakers above you, along with proper amplification. If this isn't possible then it's worthwhile auditioning a few different soundbars in your own home because the acoustic of your own living room, not a demo room in an electrical store or a department store, will be very different.   

Good luck. 

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@Ellie_TV 

Thank you - I just wanted to say how well, I feel.  you have summed  this up & expressed in clear terms my thoughts that I have not fully managed to say.. 

I know I am biased having a 7.1.2 separate speaker system with a full Atmos/DTS:X AV amp & I think I am, sometimes, too careful in trying not to show this bias to customers who for many reasons may be limited Sound bars etc.   

I hope this discussion does not archived so that I may be able to point others in future to your summary

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Thank you for the kind words @nigea99 - I'm glad it's been useful not just to the OP. 

I'm a tad biased too in that I also use a separate AVR & Atmos speaker setup, have done for years, and now wouldn't be without it as it enhances the experience so much, and I love a bit of proper bass rumble from the sub!

I fully appreciate that most households these days are much more likely to go down the soundbar route to improve their TV sound quality as it's much less hassle. Some of them can sound exceptionally good - I have had demos of a few in the past year and they are capable of some impressive results.

But I think one of the main problems is how companies market the term Dolby Atmos, and how it leads many customers to believe they're getting something amazing, when the reality is that it's just a brand name for something which really requires more than just the ability to decode the audio.