Adding Arc Ultra to cinema system

In my opinion, adding a $2000 soundbar to a system already fitted with a cinema processor is overkill, especially as an alternative to the TV speakers.  But if you are dead set on buying an Arc Ultra and do not wish to use it for actual surround sound, connect it via the optical adapter instead of HDMI-ARC and use it that way. 

As mentioned, I don’t want to be using the full cinema system every time I have the TV on. 

Forgot to mention my hearing is diminishing and can be difficult to pick up dialogue correctly, which is where the Arc Ultra excels.

Personally, I’ve never understood why one wouldn’t want the best level of sound at all times, so any advice I give will be tainted by that lack of understanding.  But my advice from above, Re using the optical adapter for the Arc Ultra, still stands.

Sorry, that option only give dolby digital 5.1.

I’d like to get full atmos, which requires the eARC hdmi being used.

If I’m watching Netflix or Disney on the TV the majority of content is atmos.

Cinema Processor? Are you referring to an AV receiver?

No, just a processor, I have 4 separate amplifiers powering a 9 speaker system, (plus subs), which is sometimes why I don’t always want to run the entire system.

So I’m looking for a splitter or switch that will accept the hdmi earc input from the TV and outputs two full earc streams, one to the Sonos Arc and the other to the AV processor, thus allowing me to choose whichever option I want. For big movies the full system, for casual Netflix viewing the Arc soundbar.

I’ve already checked with Sonos support and they don’t recommend anything.

Again, this make it even harder to understand you not wanting the “cinema processor” running at all times than simply having the choice between TV speakers and full surround (something most reasonable users question in the first place).  What gains are you going to get from Atmos through a single soundbar that you cannot equal or better by using your cinema processor?  Spending $2000 on this option when a better option already exists is baffling.  

You’re hoping someone has a similar setup in this community. You’ll have to wait to see if someone responds. Otherwise you might check Amazon for a selector/switch. Just make sure it’s capable of HDMI eARC CEC communication. 

This appears to do the job:

https://www.amazon.com/OREI-eARC-Audio-Splitter-Out/dp/B0G7P22VGC/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oMDIrrcevV4VRHqdjGYzR4CNH_Pye_PGO9VtQSiQ5xagzv4zWGp_75HibnoKDau6EIRouqwN00_ny3JxfpKtFHvLljiIyDeAFCAnEO-mOBn8YU33--VCrQmhgNLq93klV48L5L3Mpz-TpdLxLWsEmkmFTVUO47WdN_lklRAVGx8L95VHw1gmiMicrQurYEG5UqAhus5hfks985LE1wBS96sdnpTMBSWEjfhDTdUloDc.QdOW2Qo_UUT2mohvsmvsfw4n1nY9axauArs0l5HY9i0&dib_tag=se&keywords=hdmi%2Bsplitter%2Bwith%2Barc%2Boutput&qid=1780326258&sr=8-3&th=1

For casual viewing I don’t want to run processor, 4 amplifiers and subwoofers …… the Arc Ultra has great dialogue quality as I’m struggling with my hearing as I get older.

OREI has a number of useful utility products. Search for their EARC-201. Note that I have no experience with this unit.

EDIT: Here’s a link with less AI tracking.

Spent a bit of time on Amazon and I’ve purchased a Orei HDA-929, which appears to handle hdmi with earc going to two separate sources.

Very similar to a BK-931 but Amazon wouldn’t ship that one to me as I live in N. Ireland but ships the one I’ve ordered, (same brand, go figure).

I should receive it on Thursday and I’ll update this thread with my results, which should help others with the same issue.

Good thing about Amazon is that I can return it if it doesn’t do what I want.

Worst case if nothing fancy works would be an eARC compatible switch.

jgatie’s reply seems to fit the bill as well, which I hadn’t seen, until after I purchased mine. I’ll purchase this one too and see which is better, (jgatie’s is cheaper).

Won’t allow me to purchase as I’m in N. Ireland.

buzz, thanks, but that’s the US site, (Orei is a US company).

I haven't used any of these, not needed one since the 80s, but they were quite handy for otherwise unobtainable stuff when I was out of the US.

https://www.startpage.com/sp/search?query=buy+us+only+product&cat=web&pl=opensearch&language=english