Soundbar not automatically working through Sky

[Awesty1]

We've recently purchased a Samsung S95C with the Q800S soundbar to use with the Q symphony set up. We have the soundbar connected via Bluetooth. 

All great until we got Sky Stream. Plugged the puck into HDMI in to the TV and now when we switch Sky on the sound only comes through the TV.  Have to manually go to settings to get TV & soundbar together.

Any recommendations how we can solve this and what set up we should have? Thinking might Ditch Sky if this is going to be awkward. 

Thanks

[Jporch316 · Accepted solution]

@Awesty1 

Im not the expert but it's worth swapping the hdmi s around 

also change the order you turn on the soundbar and stream 

also change the hdmi cec settings on the stream 

[Jporch316]

Also worth changing / playing with the sound settings on the steam box to see what the audio output is set too 

[Awesty1]

We've fiddled either settings doesn't seem to work but will trial order of what we turn on when and then change HDMI port thanks. 

[Jporch316]

If your tv has a hdmi arc socket this would be the one to plug the soundbar in.

it sound as though the hdmi handshake is not happy! Have you tried turning on the soundbar before the tv? 

@Chrisee  I wonder if you could help inknownyounhave experience with soundbars etc 

[Chrisee]

@Awesty1 you need to check the settings on your TV and soundbar as this isnt something Sky can control. Beyond checking the puck has HDMI control set to on there is nothing more you can do to automate the switch from the puck..

With most set ups the soundbar is connected using the TV's HDMI ARC output which carries the HDMI control signals but as you are using bluetooth to connect that system wont work. I would have thought Samsung would of thought of that as use of HDMI peripherals like Games consoles is pretty common as the issue is likely to effect those as well.but from a quick check of your TV's e-manual I can't see anything obvious.

Given this is a Samsung issue you msy want to ask the question in Samsung's forum see https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/bd-p/uk-tv

[Awesty1]

Thank you.  We tried switching soundbar on first this morning, seemed to work so will see how it goes. 

Last night while watching Sky Max volume was randomly going up and down so if problems persist will try connecting soundbar with  lead instead.

[Chrisee]

@Awesty1 call me old fashioned but the eARC cabelled connection on your TV is likely to be more reliable.  

However audio levels can vary on any stream where it switches from programme to ads etc. Ads sound louder as they compress the audio to get attention while producers of shows oftem have greater dyanmic range ie the quieter bits are quieter to give the loud bits more dramatic. I use a AV amp to listen to audio from my main puck and still find the need to change the volume on occasions.

[lettice]

That soundbar (have a similar model), works fine with Sky Stream.
Not sure why you are connecting it to Bluetooth with the Stream

Connect it all via an Hdmi (ARC)  port on your TV (not all the hdmi TV ports on a TV are) and connect it that way.

[Awesty1]

Used the Bluetooth because it was there as an option to be honest so thought why not, no particular reason but perhaps it is complicating it with Sky, works fine on apps such as Netflix etc. So didn't realise I would be an issue but not a problem to connect with a lead so will do that. Thanks

[Nfhouse]

Hiya did you fix this im having same problem with same soundbar? 

[Fothergill1]

@Nfhouse  I have a Samsung TV and soundbar.  Go to your TV settings > Connection > External device manager and make sure the option Anytime+ (HDMI-CEC) is turned ON.  Also go to settings on your Stream puck and make sure HDMI control it turned on (settings > Start up & Standby menu).

Lastly make sure your HDMI from your soundbar is connected to the eARC hdmi input on the TV.

[Awesty1]

It went through a good spell if we turned on the soundbar before sky but its been a pain today can't get it to sync at all, evdn after rebooting Internet. Think we'll get a lead...

[Fothergill1]

@Awesty1 If you HDMI control turned on in settings > Start up & Standby menu it should turn on and off the soundbar automatically with your TV/Puck.

[Awesty1]

Hi all.  I've gone into the tv settings and it now offers to set up q symphony which I've done.  So sound now coming out of the soundbar and the tv together. It didn't used to offer that which is odd but that sounds OK so think that will be alright.  

Background music is quite loud though.  Does anyone know which speaker might control that? I realise you can turn down volume on specific speakers on the soundbar.  Thanks