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BenQ Projector to Beam set-up

  • December 1, 2025
  • 6 replies
  • 29 views
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Hi all,

I can't find an answer to this question that will work specially for my desired set-up so hoping for the community's guidance.

I've just bought a BenQ TH585P projector and Beam gen 2 on the basis that I believe a matrix switch with ARC functionality can be used to deliver sound from the projector to the soundbar. This specific projector model doesn't have an ARC HDMI port.

I've been playing around for ages and simply can't get audio from the soundbar. Please can I have your suggestions?

Current set-up that's playing audio through projector's awful speakers:

- matrix switch HDMI out 1 to projector 

- matrix switch HDMI out 2 with ARC toggled on to Beam soundbar

- Firestick into matrix switch

 

Seems pretty simple to me that this should work but clearly I'm wrong!

Thanks in advance for your help,

Jack 

Best answer by AjTrek1

People have used devices like the HDFury Arcana shown at this link. Once there click on Getting Started that shows how a projector might be connected to work with a Sonos Soundbar like the Arc, Arc Ultra, and Beam2 to get all codecs including Dolby Atmos. There are other product options at Amazon shown here.

6 replies

AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • Answer
  • December 1, 2025

People have used devices like the HDFury Arcana shown at this link. Once there click on Getting Started that shows how a projector might be connected to work with a Sonos Soundbar like the Arc, Arc Ultra, and Beam2 to get all codecs including Dolby Atmos. There are other product options at Amazon shown here.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Airgetlam
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Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • December 1, 2025

Without direct knowledge about which Matrix ARC switch you’re using, it will be hard to assist. Some devices merely ‘pass’ ARC data, rather than generating it. You should be using one that creates it, as @AjTrek1 suggests, one that merely passes the data won’t help. 
 

Bruce
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  • Leaf17
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 1, 2025

Without direct knowledge about which Matrix ARC switch you’re using, it will be hard to assist. Some devices merely ‘pass’ ARC data, rather than generating it. You should be using one that creates it, as @AjTrek1 suggests, one that merely passes the data won’t help. 
 

Thanks for this. Matrix switch I'm using this this: https://amzn.eu/d/84aefg3

Do you think it's appropriate? 

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • December 1, 2025

No, it only passes through ARC, it doesn’t generate it, which is why your Beam isn’t receiving anything. You’d need one of the (more expensive) devices suggested by ​@AjTrek1 .

I do note that it has the ability to pull Dolby Digital from HDMI and pass it via optical, you could potentially get the Sonos adapter which translates optical Dolby Digital to ARC, and use that to connect to your Beam. 

Bruce
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  • Leaf17
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 1, 2025

No, it only passes through ARC, it doesn’t generate it, which is why your Beam isn’t receiving anything. You’d need one of the (more expensive) devices suggested by ​@AjTrek1 .

I do note that it has the ability to pull Dolby Digital from HDMI and pass it via optical, you could potentially get the Sonos adapter which translates optical Dolby Digital to ARC, and use that to connect to your Beam. 

Thanks, Bruce. 

To help me search, please can you tell me what it is about the listing that identities as passing through ARC vs generating it? I'm after the most affordable solution.

On your point about translating optical Dolby Digital to ARC, that's firmly outside my understanding zone! The Beam came with a HDMI ARC to Optical Adaptor but sound like what you're saying I might consider is the inverse of this? 

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • December 1, 2025

There is no ‘affordable’ solution. All of the devices I’m aware of that actually generate an ARC signal significantly more expensive, due, I suppose, to the cost of electronics necessary to generate the signal, which is normally part of the TV itself. 

You’ve got it backwards, if your Beam came with an adapter. Take the optical output from this switch, connect it to that adapter, and connect the adapter to your Beam. You should be able to get Dolby Digital 5.1 without issue, just not Atmos. 

Bruce
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