AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Soundbars › Sharp HT-SB200 Sound Bar - First Look
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Sharp HT-SB200 Sound Bar - First Look

post #1 of 38
4/29/09 at 5:57pm
Thread Starter 
Got my Sharp HT-SB200 today. I hadn't been able to find any user-type reviews of this particular soundbar, and as such figured I'd snap some pictures and give my initial impressions.


Efficient packaging. Not much waste.



Couple shots of the contents of the box. The power supply is a brick that sits behind your TV somewhere.

Rear shot- standard inputs, pair of RCAs and a 1/8" jack. RCAs represent input 1, 1/8" for input 2.

And heres a shot of the bottom. If you're not wall mounting it you have three choices - two different sets of legs ("Spikes") or it also has stick-on feet.

The back has insets for wall mounting brackets, which are included.

And here's the front.

Here's the spikes. I ended up using the smaller of the included spikes to pair with my set.

And here it is, all installed and ready for action. Pictured is my 52" Sharp LC52D65U set.
LL
LL
LL
LL
LL
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 38
4/29/09 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
Out of the box I was actually pretty surprised with the size of it. It is actually a bit smaller than I would have expected. After hooking it up to my LC52D65U, I was on the fence with whether or not to leave the LCD's speakers on, and have it work together or have the sound bar be the sole source of sound. The decision was pretty much made for me - when turning off the LC52D65U's internal speakers, the line out gets a variable level. Which worked great when I had it hooked up to an external amp/circa 1985 Bose speakers. Unfortunately, the levels didn't make for a reasonable pairing (was entirely too low volume even with settings tweaked) so I ended up leaving the LCD speakers on.

The sound is pretty reasonable. You won't mistake it for a 7.1 system, but it performs surprisingly well in reproducing lower sounds that would not be expected at this size and/or pricepoint. The quasi-surround options can add something, but in my quick looking, I've found that some of them ("News") only serve to degrade the sound quality.

My one disappointment is that I have now yet another remote, and I've been relegated to having two separate volume controls.

I will post more as I play with it, if there is interest.

Cheers!!

-Bluphant
LL
LL
LL
LL
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 38
5/10/09 at 9:29am
BluPhant, so, about two weeks on, any new impressions of the sound bar?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 38
5/12/09 at 4:54am
Thread Starter 
Hey-

Ya, after a couple of weeks of using this, I'm still very happy with it. More importantly, my wife is happy with it. Overall, I find it to be a simple, elegant solution to having audio that is a few steps up from out-of-the-box tv speakers. I look at as giving a bit extra bass and some "dimension" to the sound, I'm not sure exactly how to express it, but it's good.

According to the documentation, it was designed to work in in tandem with the speakers on the panel itself. In practice, this is true. Some of the mid-higher ranges don't seem as well covered by the HT-SB200. But adjusting the TVs volume to compensate balances out the sound quite nicely. I find myself using the "Cinema/Game" surround mode, it seems to work best for most content that I've been using.

My content is
* Digital Cable (HDMI - AT&T Uverse)
* PC connected via ATI HDMI audio. MKV 1080p/720p files & MP3 content
* Wii via component/RCAs
* Non-Upscaling DVD player via Component/RCAs.
* Various other Console games for the kidlets via Composite/RCAs

So for my recommendation - this is a good quality, fairly simple sound bar. Understand what you're getting - a one-piece solution to pretty reasonable sound, and you can't go wrong with this unit. With the street price declining to the sub $200 level, it makes this even sweeter.

Here's a snap of my whole setup, on my newly-acquired TV table (and after throwing another coat of Peanut Butter paint on the wall behind)


If anyone has any specific questions, ask away.

Cheers!

-Blu
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 38
5/14/09 at 10:40am
Thanks for the pics, they were just what I was looking for. Sharp has them on sale till the 18th for $130 so I'm thinking about getting it for the 32" in my bedroom...

Question: Since I already have an 8" powered sub do you see the soundbar adding much over the sub + TV speakers?

Thanks,
Jim
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 38
5/17/09 at 8:58am
Thread Starter 
Jim-

Ya, it would definitely fill it out quite nicely, in fact I'd say it would be a very nice setup. 8" powered sub in the bedroom... wow

-Blu
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 38
5/17/09 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BluPhant View Post

Jim-

Ya, it would definitely fill it out quite nicely, in fact I'd say it would be a very nice setup. 8" powered sub in the bedroom... wow

-Blu

Thanks for the response! I was slow to pull the trigger and stock was depleted

Jim
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 38
9/16/09 at 12:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BluPhant View Post


My one disappointment is that I have now yet another remote, and I've been relegated to having two separate volume controls.

I will post more as I play with it, if there is interest.

I recommended this to a friend that was having volume problems with her LG LCD. She got one while they were on sale and she's now annoyed that she can't program her TiVo (programmable) remote to control the volume of this.

Annoyed to the point that she wants to send it back...
I've tried all the remote codes and not had any luck.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 38
12/12/09 at 2:25pm
I have just bought one of these bad boys lol (was on a tight budget). Everything works well, however I have connected the RCA cables to my panasonic DVD output.

What I would like to know is how to connect the RCA cables directly to my LCD TV (LG 37"), because i reliased that my tv only has a digital output (optical) and since my LCD tv is digital it might not work.

Can you guys tell me how you setted up your sound bar to your TVs?
Would really appreciate if you can help a fellow sharp ht-sb200 user

Cheers
Ray
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 38
12/26/09 at 10:40am
I cannot get mine to work with anything but the U-Verse Maybe some advice??

Using a Samsung DLP(4 sets of component +1 HDMI)
AT&T U-verse Box (connecting through Component) = I am getting sound

PS3= NO Sound, if box is on it overrides PS3 - Connecting through HDMI

Wii= NO Sound, if box is on it overrides Wii - Connecting through Component

Thank you in advance!!
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 38
12/27/09 at 10:28am
I have the same problem as bleach_lam - what audio cable should I use? I have a Sharp 42" TV which has a single digital audio output and recommends using a coax cable. However the coax. does not fit in the sound bar. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 38
12/29/09 at 10:46am
Hi,

My first post here, and I have a similar problem.

I have just purchased one of these devices in the Richer Sounds Sale (U.K.) for £79.95 thinking it would be fairly easy to connect it to my year old LG 32LG3000 TV, which I now find has a similar audio output to the one mentioned above (optical digital), which I don't think is going to be of any use!

However, it does appear to have a headphone socket, which I think I might have to use instead. I have a feeling though that this might cut out the 'built-in' speakers, which wouldn't really be a great loss I suppose.

I also have an LG BluRay player connected via HDMI, which I use for playing audio CD's... (don't ask!) as well as watching BluRay movies, so I really want to be able to use the sound bar with these also.

Should this work OK, do you think?

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 38
1/17/10 at 2:04am
I got one yesterday.

The audio out from the back of the TV (a Sharp 26 LCD) worked fine for the normal TV channels, however, when I switched to the PS3 input (connected to the TV via an HDMI cable), it went quiet.

After much faffing around (and forgive me for not knowing the "proper name" for this cable), I attached an additional cable to the back of the PS3. This had the red, white and yellow outputs and I put the first two into the back of the sound bar, with the video part not plugged into anything. So just to be clear, I now have two leads from the back of the PS3, the HDMI going to the TV and the other lead going to the sound bar as described above.

I also had to go the "sound options" within the PS3 and switch on the "multiple sound output option".

This had the effect of making it work, however its a bit of a faff. I had hoped that the "audio out" from the back of the tv would work for everything, but now it appears that i need to attach different cables for watching the tv / playing a dvd through the PS3.

Any ideas?
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 38
1/17/10 at 6:42am
Hi

Does anyone have the problem that I'm having with the sound bar? The sound keeps randomly cutting out for about half a second. It can be fine for an hour & then it does it 6 times in the space of half an hour. I have it plugged into the headphone socket then into line 2 like the instructions state.

I took one back to the shop & got a new one due to this problem. So I've used 2 sharp sound bars & two different LCD Tvs with various cables. It's so annoying.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 38
1/18/10 at 3:53am
Phoned Sharp & spoke to their tech advisers. They said they had never heard of this problem before.

Anyone have any ideas?
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 38
1/18/10 at 6:05am
Hi Ghost. Sorry, I cant help, but I have noticed the same thing..a half second of cutting out here and there. Unlike yours, mine is plugged into line 1, so the line in doesnt have anything to do with it.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 38
1/18/10 at 6:11am
Hi Kenny

Thanks for the reply. I also tried plugging it straight into the dvd player via line one & it did the same thing. It's just so random & makes no sense.

I'm not sure wether to put up with it or just take it back. I can imagine it doing it at important points in a movie like Empire Strikes back...."Luke I am your blank" ha ha.

Where did you get yours from? I got mine from Richer Sounds.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 38
1/18/10 at 7:08am
Richer Sounds too..the one in Leeds to be precise.

I'm of a similar opinion...its only £80..but still.

"the ring must be destroyed in the fires of (muffle muffle)".
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 38
1/18/10 at 7:15am
I wonder if Richer Sounds have a dodgy batch. I mean surely this would have been mentioned by someone else on here if it was a common problem.

I don't expect great speakers at that price but I do expect it to work properly. I spent forty quid on new cables because I thought that might be the problem.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 38
1/18/10 at 10:05am
After plugging the red and white cables into the sound bar itself, I then plugged the red and white cables into the same color audio outputs on the TV. I then plugged in the power cord and turned the unit on. The sound bar powers up, with the viewing screen showing "line 1". All the functions work with the remote, but I can't get any sound to come out of the speakers. Do you think I have a defective sound bar or should I try something else? Thank-You for any advice you can give me. Dan
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 38
1/20/10 at 12:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny_R View Post

Richer Sounds too..the one in Leeds to be precise.

I'm of a similar opinion...its only £80..but still.

"the ring must be destroyed in the fires of (muffle muffle)".

Do you still have the problem with yours?
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 38
1/20/10 at 2:14pm
Yes! A co-worker said to try plugging the audio cables into the cable box instead of the TV, so I may give that a try. It seems pretty simple to hook up, so I'm not sure why I can't get any sound to come out when hooking it up to the TV itself. Thanks, Dan
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:36am
The HT-SB200 has a sensing circuit associated with the earphone (L1) input which is supposed to "wake it up" when the TV sound is on. It is not sensitive enough at low sound levels and can cause "drop outs" other posters complain about. I hooked mine up using the L2 input (red and white RCA cables) and am forced to use the mini-remote that came with it as a second remote until I figure out what the universal remote code is.

All over the net I see people calling for this code. I've exhausted my fingers searching for a code on my programmable universal remotes from Comcast, but no joy. If anyone finds the code PLEASE post it widely.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:37am
You may have magnetic interference working against you. Try the most highly shielded cables you can find.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:42am
Any ideas on how to find the universal remote code for this device? It was my understanding that all devices manufactured according to specifications for IR remote control circuits are given one. Why is it such a secret?
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:44am
Use the other input (L2) for the RCA connectors. Default is L1. As my old pappy used to say, "RTFM" which for the younger generation means, "Read the F...ing Manual."
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:51am
I wonder if someone could confirm for me whether or not a single cable connection between the headphone output socket on my LG LCD TV and the Soundbar would work OK?

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 38
1/23/10 at 11:09am
I purchased the Sharp and a Vizio VSB200 with the intention of taking one back. I'm going to keep the Sharp with a few reservations
Sound quality is comparable but the Sharp has the ability to adjust the bass, treble and "subwoofer". The Vizio has no audio adjustments.
The Vizio is also huge in comparison. It covered up the remote sensor on my Samsung 40".

The Sharp remote is also much better than the Vizio, which comes with a really cheap looking remote with the bubble buttons. Those don't last very long from my experience.

I'm in the same boat as everyone else with a remote code. Can't seem to find one. My Dish Network universal wouldn't learn from it either. It would, however, control the Vizio.

I also like the fact that the Sharp has an actual display. The Vizio just has a series of LEDs behind it's cloth cover.
As I said, the sound quality between the two is comparable but the Sharp wins on all other fronts (except that damn remote code )

Neither is going to give you a surround experience despite the way they are marketed but both will vastly improve on flat screen speakers. They give a much more detailed, wider field. The Samsung LN40B530 I just bought my wife has a fantastic picture but I was astounded at how bad the sound was.
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 38
1/23/10 at 1:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghost12345 View Post

Hi

Does anyone have the problem that I'm having with the sound bar? The sound keeps randomly cutting out for about half a second. It can be fine for an hour & then it does it 6 times in the space of half an hour. I have it plugged into the headphone socket then into line 2 like the instructions state.

I took one back to the shop & got a new one due to this problem. So I've used 2 sharp sound bars & two different LCD Tvs with various cables. It's so annoying.

Ghost, I received mine yesterday and have had it hooked up all day today and I'm having the same problem as you, random half second drop outs. I tried unplugging to reset but it hasn't corrected the problem. I am using the RCA input set to L1 hooked directly to my Samsung LN40B530 television. I am pleased with the product but this, in addition to a seemingly unknown code for universal remotes, is annoyingly unacceptable. have you heard anything else from Sharp?
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 38
1/23/10 at 8:13pm
Update for those with the drop out problem:

Contacted Sharp - the rep I got showed a sincere desire to help and the solution they gave seems to have worked in my situation. I had turned my television's internal speakers off. This was doing something to trick the power saving feature in the sound bar that turns it off if it doesn't detect a signal into turning it off and then on every so often resulting in the annoying drop out. He instructed me to turn my TVs internal speakers on and put them at a low setting (in my case 5). With the sound bar off it is just barely audible, with the sound bar on I can't hear the TVs speakers at all. Apparently it worked. I watched about 4 hours of DVDs this evening and the drop out issue didn't happen again. Poor engineering on their part but I can live with it.
He also said, regarding the remote code, it would be up to the remotes manufacturer to provide a code for controlling it but since it IS an IR remote, it should be controllable by a universal remote. We'll have to wait and see on that one.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Soundbars
AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Soundbars › Sharp HT-SB200 Sound Bar - First Look