Contributor I

3.5mm sound out LED Screen to Sonos ARC

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
November 8, 2023
16 replies
985 views

I am working with a company that have asked for assistance with an issue they have with Sonos. Having looked at it today I do not believe is a Sonos issue at all, but am wondering if there is a remedy.

They have an LED/Multimedia processor (Taurus TB-60) and have recently purchased a Sonos Arc for the sound. The reason for purchasing was they believed the TB60 had HDMI-ARC, but it doesn’t. It has HDMI loop, and I think this is where the confusion has been made in specification. It has a TRS Balanced 3.5mm output jack, and no optical connection either.

I am not an audiophile, but my understanding is that the 3.5mm stereo audio connector would be analogue. Therefore I would need to convert from Analogue to Digital before presentation to the Sonos ARC. Is that correct?

Understanding the Sonos ARC only has HDMI in, would the purchase of these two items allow the processor to output sound and the ARC to be able to play it? Note there is no requirement for Dolby/Atmos etc, or any 5.1 requirement. is very simple ARC and Sub setup.

1. An analogue to digital convertor like this:-

https://www.amazon.ae/Digital-Converter-Optical-3-5mmAUX-Soundbar/dp/B0C1NTZFJ7/ref=sr_1_4?crid=OQELGXUO4LDV&keywords=analogue+to+digital+converter&qid=1699460098&sprefix=analogue+to+digital+convertot%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-4

2. An optical to HDMI converter - like this:-

https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/optical-audio-adapter

Thoughts most welcome please.

Many Thanks.

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Sotiris C.

Sonos Staff

Hello @Fats25, welcome to Sonos Community!

Since there are no requirements for 5.1 or Dolby Atmos, I can see this working but it is not guaranteed as there are a lot of variables that take effect.

Something to mention is that there is going to be a delay between the sound and the video because of the converter, but it might not be enough to notice.

I recommend ensuring you can get a refund on your convertor if it doesn't happen to work with your Sonos Arc. If the converter you shared doesn't work, another similar one might.

I hope this helps.

Leaving a like and marking Best Answer might make someone's day. Who knows, that someone might be you.

ratty

Something to mention is that there is going to be a delay between the sound and the video because of the converter, but it might not be enough to notice.

Which converter? ADC or optical-to-HDMI?

I’ve yet to encounter an ADC or DAC which added any noticeable delay at all.

melvimbe

I think you would be better off ignoring the analog output. What is this setup used for? What does the rest of the system look like? What sources are used, and what is the sink (typically TV or projector)? It’s possible that whatever is being used to display the video has an HDMI-ARC connection, or an optical output that could connect to Sonos Arc. Even if that’s not the case, an HDMI-optical convertor would be better than analog to optical.

If you must use the analog output for whatever reason, I would scrap using Sonos Arc. It’s really the not the right tool for the job.

Danny

F

Fats25Author

Contributor I

I think you would be better off ignoring the analog output. What is this setup used for? What does the rest of the system look like? What sources are used, and what is the sink (typically TV or projector)? It’s possible that whatever is being used to display the video has an HDMI-ARC connection, or an optical output that could connect to Sonos Arc. Even if that’s not the case, an HDMI-optical convertor would be better than analog to optical.

If you must use the analog output for whatever reason, I would scrap using Sonos Arc. It’s really the not the right tool for the job.

Is too late to ignore the output I am afraid. The components have all been purchased, and the Sonos has been used (and is being well received and used extensively already for music within the office).

The issue is the source only has an analog output (is one of these - the TB60 model - https://www.novastar.tech/products/nova-cloud/multi-media-player/taurus-series/) and the vendor has already confirmed they do not offer any option other than analog audio out, so it cannot be unfortunately “ignored”.

The right tool for the job in hindsight would be an AVR and speakers, but no space, doesn’t look cool enough, and no appetite to spend further. Have ordered the A-D converter in post above and will see how that responds.

The only other thing I have just thought of is that although the TB60 has the ability to play media, it is a bit if a faff with the way you have to publish media, and most of the time this will not need sound (will just be repeated videos). The majority of other items displayed on this screen (where sound is needed) will be via Airplay via an Apple TV 4K .

I realise this is getting a little off track here - and having never owned an apple product in my life I may be asking a stupid question. The Apple TV box with Airplay (https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/specs/) appears to only have one HDMI out (I thought would have optical too but alas does not), and this is going to the LCD screen (TB60). Is there anyway to split this output so sound goes to the Arc, and picture to the TB60. I don’t think this is possible, but is worth asking.

If not I will just see how this gets on with the converter first, before they have to bite the bullet on additional complexity and expenditure.

ratty

You can AirPlay to the Arc. Hopefully the Apple TV will take into account the AirPlay delay and adjust the video to suit. This would be stereo only.

If you wanted to go the wired route then simply insert an audio extractor into the HDMI line to de-embed the audio to S/PDIF optical. This would be good up to DD 5.1.

To deliver the full range of audio codecs to the Arc you’d need to use something like the HDFury Arcana, which would generate an HDMI-eARC that the Arc could receive directly. Possibly expensive overkill for this application though.

F

Fats25Author

Contributor I

You can AirPlay to the Arc. Hopefully the Apple TV will take into account the AirPlay delay and adjust the video to suit. This would be stereo only.

If you wanted to go the wired route then simply insert an audio extractor into the HDMI line to de-embed the audio to S/PDIF optical. This would be good up to DD 5.1.

To deliver the full range of audio codecs to the Arc you’d need to use something like the HDFury Arcana, which would generate an HDMI-eARC that the Arc could receive directly.

We tried to airplay from an IPAD both to the ARC (hoping for sound) and the Apple TV (hoping for picture) simultaneously, but without success. Is that what you mean?

I think your second point “audio extractor” is same as I reference with regards to the Analog to Digital converter? If something different please correct me.

That HDFury looks like it could be the solution. I assume this is taken from Apple TV out to the HDMI in, and then the split is done, and the audio goes to via E-Arc to the Sonos, and via HDMI IN to the LED screen.

ratty

We tried to airplay from an IPAD both to the ARC (hoping for sound) and the Apple TV (hoping for picture) simultaneously, but without success. Is that what you mean?

I was referring to the Apple TV being the primary source, with its audio sent over AirPlay. I confess I’ve not done this to Sonos speakers myself.

I think your second point “audio extractor” is same as I reference with regards to the Analog to Digital converter? If something different please correct me.

No, not the same. An HDMI audio extractor doesn’t need to convert to analog. It extracts the audio digitally and exports it digitally over S/PDIF.

That HDFury looks like it could be the solution. I assume this is taken from Apple TV out to the HDMI in, and then the split is done, and the audio goes to via E-Arc to the Sonos, and via HDMI IN to the LED screen.

Yes, that’s the way it works. There’s full details on the HDFury site.

F

Fats25Author

Contributor I

We tried to airplay from an IPAD both to the ARC (hoping for sound) and the Apple TV (hoping for picture) simultaneously, but without success. Is that what you mean?

I was referring to the Apple TV being the primary source, with its audio sent over AirPlay. I confess I’ve not done this to Sonos speakers myself.

The Apple TV was the source but not the primary source! What I mean is there was an IPAD playing a video, over Airplay (provided by Apple TV), and we were trying to select two sources Sonos Airplay for sound, and Apple TV airplay for picture (and sound but no connected speakers). This did not seem to work.

I think what you mean is playing a video direct from Apple TV, and toggling an option to play audio over airplay? This is not something likely will be needed, and its too complex for the average user to understand what to do,

I think your second point “audio extractor” is same as I reference with regards to the Analog to Digital converter? If something different please correct me.

No, not the same. An HDMI audio extractor doesn’t need to convert to analog. It extracts the audio digitally and exports it digitally over S/PDIF.

I think you mean one of these:-

https://www.amazon.ae/Microware-Audio-Extractor-Converter-Splitter/dp/B0183FQAXO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=hdmi+audio+extractor&qid=1699541673&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Put between the Apple TV and the LED Screen (via HDMI) and use the TOSLINK (with the $25 Sonos adapter to HDMI) to the ARC.

That HDFury looks like it could be the solution. I assume this is taken from Apple TV out to the HDMI in, and then the split is done, and the audio goes to via E-Arc to the Sonos, and via HDMI IN to the LED screen.

Yes, that’s the way it works. There’s full details on the HDFury site.

The more and more I look at this, I think this solution works perfectly (providing the kit works as stated). Again will not give me any sound from the LED Screen, but I can live without that. They can provide everything from Apple TV over Airplay (or I will get them a media server for custom videos) and play through Apple TV direct.

I appreciate your responses by the way, as this is really helpful. I was looking at solving the issue from analog to digital from the projector, and I should have been looking at the Apple TV for sound only.

Ken_Griffiths

@Fats25
Note you can airplay A/V from an iPad to an Apple TV and still set it to output the audio to the Sonos Arc - goto the Apple TV ‘Settings/Video & Audio/Audio Output’ and select a temporary audio output to any Airplay speaker on the same network subnet - just select the Sonos Arc from the list.

You can then AirPlay the video from the iPad to the Apple TV and get the sound out to the Sonos soundbar.

Another alternative option is to select both the Apple TV and Sonos Arc as the target Airplay devices from the iPad.

I’ve just tried both methods mentioned above and either one should work for you.

Also there are tools within the Apple TV settings under ‘Video & Audio/Calibration’ called ‘Wireless Audio Sync’ that cater for bringing the speaker audio output into lip-sync with the video on screen. So you Perhaps might find that feature helpful too.

melvimbe

I think you mean one of these:-

https://www.amazon.ae/Microware-Audio-Extractor-Converter-Splitter/dp/B0183FQAXO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=hdmi+audio+extractor&qid=1699541673&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Put between the Apple TV and the LED Screen (via HDMI) and use the TOSLINK (with the $25 Sonos adapter to HDMI) to the ARC.

You could use the extractor anywhere in the ‘chain’. So yes, you could put it between Apple TV and ‘LED screen’, but you could also place it between the HDMI output on the TB60 and whatever you’re using to display video that

I’m confused by what you’re referring to as ‘LED screen’. The TB60 looks to just be a processor with no screen attached to it, from a quick internet search, so I am assuming there is actually is a TV/projector of some sort that accepts HDMI input.

The more and more I look at this, I think this solution works perfectly (providing the kit works as stated). Again will not give me any sound from the LED Screen, but I can live without that. They can provide everything from Apple TV over Airplay (or I will get them a media server for custom videos) and play through Apple TV direct.

I appreciate your responses by the way, as this is really helpful. I was looking at solving the issue from analog to digital from the projector, and I should have been looking at the Apple TV for sound only.

Hopefully, I’m not causing confusion, but the HDFury is really only going to be better than an optical audio extractor if your wanting atmos audio, which does not seem to apply here?

Danny

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