tl;dr -- is there any way to avoid running a physical HDMI cable to the Sonos Arc? Can I leverage a wireless HDMI transmitter?
Context:
I’ve seen a few questions posted to these forums in the past with a similar question, all of which resulted in a pretty clear “no solution to this problem”, but things may have changed since then with the introduction of the HDFury Arcana, so I’ll try again.
I am using a projector in an open-concept living space which will result in the projector screen dropping from the ceiling between my Living Room and Kitchen (above my Dining area). The complexity of this layout means I cannot expose an HDMI under the projector screen (unless I literally just run it manually every time I want to watch, and then unplug/conceal when not in use).
My set-up includes my projector above the sofa (Epson 5050UBe), projector screen over dining (Solo Pro 2). Apple 4KTV + Xbox Series X (soon) are my two primary sources. I plan on stashing both the Apple 4KTV and Xbox Series X in the kitchen (in cabinet above the fridge). These both will plug into an HDFury Integral2, which will plug into an HDFury Arcana. The video output of the Arcana will feed into my wireless HDMI transmitter to beam video to the projector (receiver is natively built into the 5050UBe projector). The screen itself is wireless (lithium ion charged tab-tensioned motorized screen).
So now I have wireless video and a wireless screen all good to go.
Problem/Question:
So with wireless video all set-up, the question is how to pass audio from the HDFury Arcana to the Sonos Arc (and from the Sonos Arc to my two One SLs and Sub). It seems my options are limited to the following (in reverse order of preference):
- Hope Sonos releases a solution to this (I doubt the Sonos Port or Amp will check the box here). Basically, Sonos would need to create a ‘hub’ device that can connect via HDMI to the source. This hub would then beam the audio to all speakers in the set-up. Any rumors of one coming soon?
- Leverage another wireless HDMI transmitter. The one built into my Epson 5050UBe works great for wireless video… The question is… if I plugged a wireless transmitter into the HDFury Arcana, and the corresponding receiver into the Sonos Arc, would this work?
- Sell/relocate my Sonos Arc and move forward with a WiSA system (e.g. Enclave Cinehome ii, or the upcoming WiSA soundsend paired with Klipsch Reference Wireless, for example). These both operate similar to #1 above (a dedicated hub to receive the signal). Not ideal as I like the Sonos Arc and would probably take a loss now selling it (as I’m past my return window). Side question -- would there be a way to leverage the port to at least get the WiSA speakers working within my existing Sonos ecosystem?
- Keep a long/thin HDMI plugged into the audio output of the HDFury Arcana. Whenever I want to watch the projector, take that HDMI out and manually run it to the Arc (along with the power cord). When I’m done watching the projector, unplug the HDMI and put it back in the cabinet above my fridge. Obviously not ideal at all (particularly as it would cut off access to the kitchen on one side).
Thanks in advance for anyone that read this, and double thanks for anyone that has anything to offer on the topic!
