Sony HT-CT150 and CT350 - Page 62

Hey guys I'm getting ready to finish up a deployment overseas and coming home in January. I've been looking at getting the sony hc-tc150 or 300 forever and now i just noticed that they came out with the 550 model.

I've found the 550 model online for around $250-$300 and this is right in my price range of what i want to spend.

I'm using it as the main source of sound out of my living room flatscreen. I've got a 52 inch samsung tv on a tv stand. the reason for the sound bar is b/c the tv has its speaker on the bottom of the tv. i didn't think about it when i first bought it but now i notice that the sound reflects off the tv stand and really comes out distorted and muffled sometimes.

i think having a sound bar would totally fix the problem. i don't plan to use the speakers on the tv at all and have them turned all the way down.

i'm hooking up hdmi inputs from my satellite box, blue ray player and xbox 360. my living room is about 20x20 with high vaulted ceilings.

There really is only a difference of about $100 between the 150 and 550 models. So can someone steer me which direction to go? I'm pretty much settled on getting the 550 model unless anyone has any negative info about it to give me.

From all the reviews i've gone over it seems it is a quality sound bar that even has the wireless subwoofer and built in fm tuner.

thanks for all the advice and i'm really looking forward to getting back home and buying this.

I have been a long time reader of this forum, yet I have never posted until now. Here is my setup (I'm in a condo, living room (dimensions of 15' by 13' has a kitchen cut out and is open to dining room--so not great for 5.1 setup--hence why i like the 3.1 system)

Vizio M420VT (wall-mounted with soundbar velcro attached to wall above tv)
Samsung BD-6500 blu ray (set to bit stream)
Sony HT-CT150
Xbox 360 elite (set to 5.1)

After reading other posts concerning different sony and yamaha products (Specifically home theater 3.1 or 2.1 setups), I decided to go with the Sony HT-CT150 due to its great reviews etc. However, the problem enlies in the fact that I recently heard some hd audio through my original tv speakers (I was curious as to the difference between hd audio and not audio audio) and the difference to me was EXTREMELY noticeable, so here in-lies my question. I know that the sony htct150 cannot decode hd audio, and I dont want to have a home theater system that will be outdated very soon. I don't expect it will be too long before netflix installs an upgrade for the xbox that allows dolby digital plus and dts hd to be streamed, and then pretty much everything I will watch will have hd audio--and I wont be able to hear it. I have read from other posts that some cant discern the difference between DD+ and DD on this system, are they serious? I just have a hard time believing that because the difference to my gf and I was so noticeable. I have looked at getting the Sony HT-CT550w, but I have heard has something to be wanted in terms of overall performance (went from a 3.1 to a 2.1) however I know it can decode HD audio! But then i heard of the yamaha smp 2200, and i think its out of my price range....But id like to get one of these units relatively soon, if i will get any at all, due to christmas specials about this time. I have someone willing to buy my current 150 setup. In short, I want the best audio experience possible for under 500. help?? Davyo, I could use you here.

Also, dont get my wrong, I love my 150 setup--had it for a week, but I want to make sure I get the latest tech here if its worth the extra buck. Thanks in advance guys!!

I have a CT350, with HDMI CTRL and ARC turned on. When I turn off my Sony XBR HX909 , the CT350 will go into standby. However, when I turn the TV on, nothing happens. When I turn on the speakers manually, it goes into Mute status immediately. Does anyone know if I can get it to turn on automatically?

I haven't had a chance to read any of the previous posts, but here's just my opinion on the soundbar...

I had the CT350 for 6 months or so, first 3 months in a small living room of a 1br apartment, and it was great. filled the room well, even in the connected kitchen, but it was against a very thin wall to the next apartment, so I had the bass turned down quite bit.
Then I moved to a large apartment with 11ft ceilings, where the living and dining rooms are basically 1 big room approximately 15ft by 28ft. I couldn't hear the music playing at almost full volume from the next room over! The neighbors downstairs didn't appreciate the bass coming from the corner of my apartment though, the sub is corner loaded and it was definitely loud (though boomy) if i stood near it. I never expected it to fill the room, of course, but it was kind of funny how badly it failed during my first party.

The CT350 was a phenominal deal for around $200, found at BBY clearance during summer. But if I had to spend more to get one, I'd prefer to pick up a pair of RTi-4's ($130) or RTi-6's ($200) on clearance from Fry's right now and get a cheap stereo receiver. I used to own RTi-6's, and the pair even without a sub sounded much much better than the CT350. Again, just a personal opinion, don't bite me!

Just got the ct 150 for Christmas today. I am a total newb when it comes to audio setup so I have a few questions.

I currently have it connected to my tv and my ps3 with optical cables. Will I get better sound with HDMI? I only have 2 HDMI cables and I think I would need one more because I have a dvr in the equation, but I'm not sure.

I just want to make sure I'm getting the best sound possible.

Thanks guys.

I just got a CT-HT150 and tried connecting it to my Vizio MV370, Panasonic DMp-BD60 and my computer. I don't have a cable box. With the BD player and computer connected to the TV via HDMI and a optical cable from the TV to the CT150 I get sound from both the TV and the CT150 and video. If I connect the computer or the BD player to the the CT150 I get sound from the CT150 and not the TV but has a lot of drops. But even a bigger problem is I get no video. If I have the TV off and turn on the BD player the TV turns on and selects the correct input but still no video. Any thoughts?

Sorry for the post. It might be the HDMI cable. I just connected my iPad to the cable I was using to go from the HT150 to the TV and I get a Not Supported error. I have had bad luck with HDMI cables just deciding to crap out.

Okay, I need some help here. I just realized that my tv does not support ARC. (wonderful) So I am stuck with Toslink there, which is ok, I just don't really hear any surround effects. Not sure if I should or not.

Here is my big issue though. I have HDMI from tv out to the tv, then HDMI from the PS3 to BD. I get picture and sound, but the sound is LPCM. I can't get DD to work for games that should support it. I'm getting so frustrated here.

I am so dumb when it comes to this and would appreciate the help.

We'll be running the cable from the sub to the soundbar in a wall so we'll need to extend the cable.

Picked up "50ft 16AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable (For In-Wall Installation)" from Monoprice and will just cut off the ends of the original cable to use the connectors. Will soldering be necessary or will a wire nut suffice?

Thanks.

I have a chance to get the Sony HT-CT150 for a great price from someone I work with. The problem I have is going to hook the unit up. I'm sure this has been addressed before I'm sorry. I've been all over the web and can't find the exact answer to my problem and I don't have much time to give him my answer because he is getting ready to move. I have an old TV it's a LG 52LBX it has 4 HDMI ports but doesn't support a ARC port. I have a Comcast DVR/receiver (DCX3400) and a Samsung BD player (BD-D5700). Right now I have them hooked up via HDMI. Since my tv doesn't have a ARC port what is the best way to hook up the HT-CT150 for the best sound. If I take my two components and connect them to the sub (receiver) and come out of the receiver and into the HDMI 1 on my TV what kind of sound would that give me 2.0, 5.1 or nothing. Would it give me audio and picture? Does an optical cable come into play somewhere? This whole ARC thing has me confused. I'm a big noob. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Unless you also watch TV using an antenna, you don't need ARC or optical. Just connect cable box and BD player to the CT150 using HDMI, and then HDMI from CT150 to TV. That's all there is to it and you'll get 5.1 audio whenever it's available from the source content.

Thanks for the info. Would I turn off the ARC feature off in the sub (receiver) since I can't use it. Should I still get some new High Speed HDMI cables? I watch TV through my comast HD/DVR receiver. Thanks again. BTW what do you know about the Sony HTCT550W 3D Sound Bar Home Theater System with Wireless Subwoofer. I can get that for $246.11 is that a good price.

Turn ARC off although it probably doesn't matter since your TV doesn't support it. You don't need high speed HDMI cables until you have a 3D capable TV. I haven't kept up with pricing on the CT550W. There is a dedicated thread for it and you can likely get info there.

[quote=Possumgirl;21413221]Turn ARC off although it probably doesn't matter since your TV doesn't support it. You don't need high speed HDMI cables until you have a 3D capable TV. I haven't kept up with pricing on the CT550W.

Thanks again. You people rock! Love this forum!

Got myself the HTCT150, it's pretty good so far, but I only used it for less than 1 hr, so it's not fully tuned yet.

For some reason, my TV (40EX621) doesn't see it in the Synch menu, yet it seems to synch properly (controls the AMP, volume, etc..), so I won't worry about it for now.

My biggest concern/dissapointment right now is the inability to use the optical input for something other than TV or SAT. Here's my setup:

Cisco/SA 8642 PVR -> Cable SAT HDMI on AMP
Samsung DVD -> DVD HDMI on AMP (eventually my Apple TV or SlingCatcher will go to that input via HDMI)
PS3 -> "BD" HDMI on AMP.
ROKU internet radio in Optical input (Toslink) "TV" on AMP
HDMI out to 40EX621

I want to listen to the internet radio via the optical input (hooked up to TV) When I press TV, I get no sound. It is expecting something from the TV and displays "HDMI". How do I assign one of the optical inputs to another function (like CD) or how do I tell the amp to use Optical instead of HDMI for the TV input.

Since I may eventually want to use the TV sound on my amp (from online services or OTA), I would prefer to assign the optical in to another device. Is that possible? I would really prefer not to use analog audio.
I may just return the thing, if this isn't possinble

Maybe another option is to hook up everything to my TV (and use ARC for sound back to my AMP), if it supports full surround sound. And hook up the ROKU directly to the amp?

I previously used a regular amp (an old one at that) and it seemed to be a lot more flexible in handling all my audio inputs. But it didn't do HDMI switching.

Suggestions?

OK, I just go it to work by disabling the ARC on TV. But now this will mean that I won't get TV sound if I want to use online services or OTA?

If I plug it in the other input (Cable/SAT), it will be the same problem as I need the sound from HDMI coming from the PVR.

Since the ROKU has a RCA digital output as well (orange plug), I guess I could use that into the "VIDEO" digital input port on the AMP?

It would be so much easier of I could assign Toslink ports to any inputs.
Someone please tell me I can..

EDIT: OK I think I almost figured it out....
I have the Audio input set to "AUTO". So I turned the ARC back on.
When the TV is turned off, the sound switches to OPTICAL and I can hear the ROKU.

Getting there

You should be able to connect the Roku to the optical port labeled Sat/Catv. Then you just press the button on the remote that has the same label. Everything else would work as you originally had it connected.

Hi Guys

I am planning on hooking this up to my Olevia 747i TV's optical out and also my Sonos ZP90 optical/coaxial out. Will the HTCT150 optical/coaxial inputs auto turn on/off on getting a signal?

Thanks.

Yeah, this is what I may end up doing. If my PVR is off, then it will default back to TOSLINK and that is fine by me. I don't need both active at the same time. Thanks.

If you mean will the soundbar turn on/off automatically, it's doubtful. That feature requires two devices connected via HDMI that are both CEC enabled.

Ok thanks, seems Zvox is my choice then

Hi all thanks for all the great info.

I just purchased the CT150 and my downstairs neighbor is complaining about the bass. Can I turn off the sub/bass while still uses the sound bar?

Right now I have to turn back to my tv's speaker around 9-10pm but it's kinda annoying.

I have a Sony 55EX620 if it matters. Thanks in advance!

I got a CT-150 for Christmas.

Is there any way to adjust the tone settings individually for different inputs?


I have my TV connected via optical TV input (I use the QAM tuner on the TV) and my Playstation3 connected to the BD port.


My TV has almost no bass when listening to broadcast Television. My playstation will shake the house with sub when playing a bluray or game.


When i go into the TONE menu on the amp, whatever changes i make to increase the bass for the TV audio changes on the BD input as well.

Are all settings on the CT-150 the same regardless of the input set to?


Also on a side note: If i leave my TV's audio output to Dolby Digital, the audio will have small sound drops and the DD light on the front of the unit with blink off breifly. If i change the audio output on the TV to PCM, the sound has no problems. Any advice? (There are no audio issues at all on the PS3)

The settings for bass, treble, etc., apply to all inputs. The only thing you can set differently for each input is the soundfield.

Have you tried a different optical cable? You shouldn't be getting dropouts and maybe that has something to do with not getting proper bass either for 5.1 content. I assume your TV doesn't support ARC because if it does, that's a better way to go.

Nope, no ARC support here


Ill check the optical cable and report back.

When pressing the "display" button on the amp remote, you are suppose to get info about the surround channels (2.0, 5.1, etc) on the sub, but with mine, it sends the command to my TV and it treats it as if I pressed display on my TV and just displays info about the tv signal onscreen. The TV is a bravia 40ex621 connected via Bravia synch. Any suggestions? It is likely because my remote is in TV mode, but how do I override that?

seifer: Just hit the Night Mode button on the CT150 remote.

Hey all.

Just got an HT-CT350 open box/display model from Best Buy for $120 on Saturday thanks to a great tip on SlickDeals. No remote or manual but hooked up yesterday and working great. This was an upgrade for me over my old HT-CT100 that I got from one of the many Sony Outlet refurb deals about a year ago. I had just gotten the new Sony PS3/Media universal remote that worked perfectly with my CT100 so I knew the remote wouldn't be an issue.

I have't 'tweaked' it much yet but have everything working how I want it. ARC is working for built-in TV apps and OTA (neither of which I use that much but nice to know its working and one less cable...), CEC is working to turn on the CT350 with TV, etc. So far so good! Fairly impressed with a much more noticeable surround affect (I am used to soundbars and under no impression that they are a true surround replacement) and much more power in general over my CT100.

While I take some time to read over this thread I'm just curious about a couple of things:

--I'm aware that the CT350 is an *older* model than than CT150 but I think it is still an upgrade over it...is this correct? Or at least, what's the opinion here.
--Any tips on tweaking/recommended settings is welcome!

^^^
Nice score on the price!! If you need the manual it's available as PDF from this link.

I also went from a CT100 to the CT350 and noticed considerable improvement from the older model. The CT100 & CT500 were the originals and were replaced by the CT150 (still available) and the CT350 (discontinued). The newest model is the CT550W.

As far as settings, just play with it to find what works best in your environment since everyone's acoustics and preferences are different. Enjoy!

Thanks but it didn't turn off the sub. I can still feel the bass vibrating even if I'm using night mode. Anyone please?

Hey guys,

I have a Sharp 60" LCD Aquos and an Xbox 360 with Component cables (no HDMI) . I have the Roku box hooked up the HTCT-150 via HDMI, and then the HTCT-150 plugged into the TV.

My question is, since my Xbox does not have HDMI, will I have to rely on the audio optical cable?