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Sonos Beam won't connect to old Sharp Aquos 42" TV

  • November 18, 2021
  • 9 replies
  • 1104 views

I'm wondering if someone could please help me out with my Beam soundbar. I have a 2007 Sharp Aquos LC-42XD1E LCD TV which i'm trying to connect to the beam , but because its an older TV it doesn't have a HDMI ARC connection, only a standard HDMI connection. It also doesn't have an optical digital port either. Is there any suggestions as to how i could get it working? I have attached a photo of the back connections on the TV, any help would be greatly appreciated

 

Best answer by buzz

I have no experience with this unit, but it should allow you to connect to the TV headphone output using the SONOS optical to HDMI-ARC dongle. While inexpensive, this scheme is sub optimal because we don’t know the quality of the headphone feed and there wall be a “war” between the TV Volume control and the SONOS Volume controls.

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9 replies

BMF
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  • Prodigy III
  • November 18, 2021

I see a pink Sky HDMI cable, if you only use Sky then you could use the optical output on the Sky Box direct into Beam.

 

if you use the other HDMI input as well and that source has optical out, you could use an optical switch.

 

something like this….

 

Portta Digital Optical Audio Switcher 4x1 SPDIF Toslink Switch Box with IR Remote Control 1:1 Transmission for Xbox/Blu-ray player/Sound Bar/Receiver/Speakers/DVD Player/Amplifier and More https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A89OEUY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_P9VMVWCE18J6CJJ58V7D?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

Other than that you would have to get a analog to optical converter which would be less than optimal


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • November 18, 2021

Thanks for your advice BMF, i'll give it a try


Airgetlam
  • November 18, 2021

Note: Many cable boxes don’t normally “turn off” when you turn off the TV set (not sure about Sky Box) , so there’s always the possibility that the sound will be “always on” in the suggested setup.  Just requires a change in habit, so that the box is either turned off, or that you mute the sound coming from the Beam.

Not sure that optical is “less than optimal”, since the signal should be the same as what is sent over HDMI. 


BMF
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  • Prodigy III
  • November 18, 2021

 

Not sure that optical is “less than optimal”, since the signal should be the same as what is sent over HDMI. 


​​​@Airgetlam ,hi….  I meant analogue out of tv into an optical conversion…. Although not used them in years, they always seemed to be really problematic.

 

I could not see any digital audio outputs on the picture, so figured it would have to be analogue, which would

then complicate things as to what format the DAC is outputting, audio latency etc, figured optical would be “easier”


Airgetlam
  • November 18, 2021

Aha. Then I certainly misunderstood. And of course, you’re correct, and conversion of an analog to digital signal would indeed be worse, unless that signal was 5.1 already from analog, which as you point out, is not what is shown on the image. 

I was thinking you meant the optical output from the HDMI switch, which should be the same. My apologies!


BMF
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  • Prodigy III
  • November 18, 2021

All good Amigo, no need to apologise 👍


bockersjv
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  • Local Superstar
  • November 18, 2021

Did lots of faffing like this with an old Tv.  Obvious solution is a newer TV, picture quality has moved on a pace since 2007.  Your wallet won’t thank you but your eyes and ears will!


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • November 18, 2021

Thanks again folks, i have another beam working of a panasonic smart tv with HDMI ARC and it works very well, the old sharp still has a full HD 1080p picture which can still produce a lovely picture even today, i just didn't want it going to waste if i could put it to good use


buzz
  • Answer
  • November 19, 2021

I have no experience with this unit, but it should allow you to connect to the TV headphone output using the SONOS optical to HDMI-ARC dongle. While inexpensive, this scheme is sub optimal because we don’t know the quality of the headphone feed and there wall be a “war” between the TV Volume control and the SONOS Volume controls.