[looloo86]

I'm really new to audio systems and I can't seem to figure out how I would connect a soundbar to my projector if the screen and soundbar is at the front and the projector is at the back of the room. The only thing I can think of is to get a receiver and connect with the projector at the back and then have the receiver connect to the soundbar via Bluetooth.

Is that how most people connect soundbars? With a TV, you can simply connect the soundbar and TV at the front of the room. But with a projector, the soundbar is at the front and the projector is at the back. I'm planning to get a 5.1 channel soundbar, something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/VIZIO-SB3851-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TGGT9TT6T4QPD5MQK8CF

And also, projector is connected to my laptop at the back. So there is nothing else at front except for the screen and the soundbar.

 

[AV_Integrated]

Most people don't use soundbars because the audio tends to be weak on them and a cheap 5.1 or 7.1 system is a much better sounding experience.

That said, if you are set on getting a soundbar, then get on which has HDMI inputs. That way you can plug all your sources into the soundbar, then run HDMI between the soundbar and the projector.

This way, the soundbar acts like an A/V receiver.

If you intend to get an A/V receiver, then go ahead and get normal speakers to work with it. That's what an A/V receiver is for.

 

[looloo86]

No, I'd prefer if I didn't have to buy an A/V receiver, that's why I'm planning to go the soundbar route.

That said, if you are set on getting a soundbar, then get on which has HDMI inputs. That way you can plug all your sources into the soundbar, then run HDMI between the soundbar and the projector.

This way, the soundbar acts like an A/V receiver.

When you say "run HDMI between the soundbar and the projector.", do you mean connect the soundbar and the projector with an HDMI cable? That would mean having a very long HDMI cable running right down the middle of my room, from the front to the back where the projector is. I hope that's not what you mean.

Using the soundbar as the A/V receiver sounds interesting, but again, how would everything at the front of the room connect with the projector at the back of the room?

 

[AV_Integrated]

When you say "run HDMI between the soundbar and the projector.", do you mean connect the soundbar and the projector with an HDMI cable? That would mean having a very long HDMI cable running right down the middle of my room, from the front to the back where the projector is. I hope that's not what you mean.

Using the soundbar as the A/V receiver sounds interesting, but again, how would everything at the front of the room connect with the projector at the back of the room?

Yes, you run a HDMI cable to the projector. That's how it works. Just like if you have a computer monitor, you connect it with a cable. Or if you have a TV, you connect it with a cable.

Wireless HDMI introduces lag, so you can't do it real time and if you were to EVER want to game, it would be phenomenally bad. It's also unreliable, even just across a room, and adds a couple hundred to any purchase price.

There are some projectors which claim wireless capabilities, but reviews of most tend to be hit-or-miss. Some work well, some do not. A $30 HDMI cable fixes all of this.

 

[looloo86]

Yes, you run a HDMI cable to the projector. That's how it works. Just like if you have a computer monitor, you connect it with a cable. Or if you have a TV, you connect it with a cable.

Wireless HDMI introduces lag, so you can't do it real time and if you were to EVER want to game, it would be phenomenally bad. It's also unreliable, even just across a room, and adds a couple hundred to any purchase price.

There are some projectors which claim wireless capabilities, but reviews of most tend to be hit-or-miss. Some work well, some do not. A $30 HDMI cable fixes all of this.

I understand you can do that with a TV, because the TV is right there on the same side as the soundbar. But with a projector, it's at opposite sides.

You see, the long cable is what I wanted to avoid. The screen/soundbar is at one side of the room and the projector is at the opposite side of the room, quite a distance. I hope the only option is not for me to run a ridiculously long HDMI cable right across the middle of my room to connect the soundbar to the projector. I drew a very rough diagram of the setup, even if I can get a $30 20ft HDMI cable, do most people have an HDMI cable running right in the middle of their room? Doesn't look great and not mention you can trip over it.

That's why I asked if the best option is to get an A/V receiver and connect the soundbar to the receiver via Bluetooth or if there is another option.

 

[lewke]

In my traditional setup, when everyone else is asleep I use a bluetooth transmitter in my receiver's phono output and bluetooth headphones...you might have to go this route assuming your soundbar has a aux input.

Laptop HDMI to Projector...Transmitter Audio Out on Projector, Receiver Audio In on Soundbar.

Transmitter
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=9722&gclid=CKeYnvanjtICFZSGfgodFpIDQw

Receiver
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Re...1487031660&sr=8-17&keywords=bluetooth+adapter

Something like this transmits and receives
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014W334A8?psc=1

I have the Monoprice transmitter and it works pretty well, not sure about the other products but you get the idea....

 

[looloo86]

In my traditional setup, when everyone else is asleep I use a bluetooth transmitter in my receiver's phono output and bluetooth headphones...you might have to go this route assuming your soundbar has a aux input.

Laptop HDMI to Projector...Transmitter Audio Out on Projector, Receiver Audio In on Soundbar.

Transmitter
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=9722&gclid=CKeYnvanjtICFZSGfgodFpIDQw

Receiver
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Re...1487031660&sr=8-17&keywords=bluetooth+adapter

Something like this transmits and receives
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014W334A8?psc=1

I have the Monoprice transmitter and it works pretty well, not sure about the other products but you get the idea....

Oh okay, I guess that could work and worth trying. So basically, with the Transmitter it will make my projector bluetooth-enabled, and I can connect to any bluetooth speaker/soundbar? The soundbar I linked to in my first post already has bluetooth, so would I still need the Receiver you mentioned?

Now I'm really curious to know how others connect their projector to a soundbar. I don't believe I've seen anybody that has a long HDMI cable running through the middle of the room from the front wall to the back wall.

 

[lewke]

You would need a transmitter.

Transmitter
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_...FZSGfgodFpIDQw

 

[PARidge]

Now I'm really curious to know how others connect their projector to a soundbar. I don't believe I've seen anybody that has a long HDMI cable running through the middle of the room from the front wall to the back wall.

Most would route the HDMI cable through the ceilings/walls to the components. Down the middle of the room would be unacceptable. It would only typically happen during initial testing BEFORE running everything through the walls or ceilings to it's permanent location. Some folks install conduit (1.5" or so PVC... as large as possible to fit multiple wires/cables) in their walls for future wire routing before they put the sheetrock up. Theses things work best planned ahead.

If you have access to the attic, your best bet is to run the HDMI through the walls and ceiling. It's not incredibly difficult, depending on the bones of the room.

 

[contactjustind]

I spent forever trying to figure this out because I'm a sonos user. I use this, it works really well. Every once in a while I have to reset it, but overall I give it 4 stars. Run hdmi to this unit, send audio out to sound bar, another hdmi to the projector. One cable across the room is better then many. Bonus you can have multiple inputs.

ExpertPower 3x1 HDMI Switcher + Audio Extractor | 3 Port | Ultra HD 4K/2K | Full HD/3D | 1080P | HDMI 1.4 | HDTV | PS4 / PS3 | XboxOne / 360 | DVD | B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0155NWUZO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_1F7Ds6bJmAiF1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[looloo86]

You would need a transmitter.

Transmitter
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_...FZSGfgodFpIDQw

Yes, I know, but do I need the Receiver you mentioned if the soundbar already has bluetooth?

 

[looloo86]

I spent forever trying to figure this out because I'm a sonos user. I use this, it works really well. Every once in a while I have to reset it, but overall I give it 4 stars. Run hdmi to this unit, send audio out to sound bar, another hdmi to the projector. One cable across the room is better then many. Bonus you can have multiple inputs.

ExpertPower 3x1 HDMI Switcher + Audio Extractor | 3 Port | Ultra HD 4K/2K | Full HD/3D | 1080P | HDMI 1.4 | HDTV | PS4 / PS3 | XboxOne / 360 | DVD | B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0155NWUZO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_1F7Ds6bJmAiF1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With this method, I would still need a cable running across the room, right? If that's the case, then it's no different then connecting an HDMI cable from the projector to the soundbar.

 

[contactjustind]

With this method, I would still need a cable running across the room, right? If that's the case, then it's no different then connecting an HDMI cable from the projector to the soundbar.

Yes, but it expands you're options, has no delay issues, only one cable to run. In my research, this was the best option. You can run a cable, not the end of the world.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[looloo86]

Yes, but it expands you're options, has no delay issues, only one cable to run. In my research, this was the best option. You can run a cable, not the end of the world.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, I can obviously run a cable. But I wanted to know if there was a way for me to not run a cable. Your method still requires a cable from one wall to the opposite wall. Yes, it expands my input options... but I didn't ask for that. I only connect my laptop anyway.

 

[rekbones]

The first thing you need to do is think of the projector as a video monitor as it has nothing to do with the audio (some models have internal speakers but are rarely used in home theater). Your problem is how to get sound from your laptop, or any other source to the sound bar and video to the projector. As suggested most would run an HDMI cable from the sound bar/AVR to the projector with the source plugged into it. If you want your laptop near the projector with a short HDMI cable then you need to solve the audio from your laptop wireless to the sound bar , the projector has nothing to do with it.

 

[looloo86]

If you want your laptop near the projector with a short HDMI cable then you need to solve the audio from your laptop wireless to the sound bar , the projector has nothing to do with it.

I think that works! I can't believe I didn't think of that. So basically, if the soundbar has bluetooth, I can simply connect my laptop's bluetooth with the soundbar's bluetooth. The soundbar I mentioned in my first post (https://www.amazon.ca/VIZIO-SB3851-C...T6T4QPD5MQK8CF), does have bluetooth, so it should have no problem connecting to the laptop for audio. Correct me if I'm wrong there. I'm going to try this out, thanks!

And yes... I already know a wired connection is best.

 

[lewke]

Yes, I know, but do I need the Receiver you mentioned if the soundbar already has bluetooth?

No

 

[wpbpete]

I think that works! I can't believe I didn't think of that. So basically, if the soundbar has bluetooth, I can simply connect my laptop's bluetooth with the soundbar's bluetooth. The soundbar I mentioned in my first post (https://www.amazon.ca/VIZIO-SB3851-C...T6T4QPD5MQK8CF), does have bluetooth, so it should have no problem connecting to the laptop for audio. Correct me if I'm wrong there. I'm going to try this out, thanks!

And yes... I already know a wired connection is best.

Assuming your laptop can pair with the soundbar, this is your best solution. Alternatively you could try the new Firetv stick which also connects via bt.

 

[LouieNet]

I think that works! I can't believe I didn't think of that. So basically, if the soundbar has bluetooth, I can simply connect my laptop's bluetooth with the soundbar's bluetooth. The soundbar I mentioned in my first post (URL snipped), does have bluetooth, so it should have no problem connecting to the laptop for audio. Correct me if I'm wrong there. I'm going to try this out, thanks!

And yes... I already know a wired connection is best.

So, how's it working out for you this way? Any delay with bluetooth?

 

[updog]

I'm really new to audio systems and I can't seem to figure out how I would connect a soundbar to my projector if the screen and soundbar is at the front and the projector is at the back of the room.

What's wrong with just having the soundbar at the back of the room instead of the front of the room?