Help: Trying to connect soundbar without optical output :(

[Cinemaddict]

I just received a Samsung soundbar (HW-F550) for Christmas. I was stunned to discover that my 40" Samsung HDTV does not have an optical output. Is there another way to get audio from my BD, through the TV, and to the soundbar?

My understanding is that the best thing is to connect the BD player to the TV via an HDMI cable, and then send the audio out from the TV to the soundbar via an optical cable. But my TV does not have an optical output.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Attached: My TV inputs.

Blu-ray player: BDP-S5100
HDTV 40" 1080p 60hz
Soundbar Samsung HW-F550

UPDATE: Problem solved! Thanks!

[The_Donster]

You should be able to use the red/white audio cable and run it from your soundbar and tv. That's basically how I have Vizio SB and TV set up, since my Sony BD player only supports a coaxial output.

[Cinemaddict]

Thanks so much for the reply! Unfortunately, the soundbar doesn't have inputs for those cables. It has HDMI, optical, and aux.

Very surprising to me that I have a Samsung soundbar and Samsung HDTV (both purchased in past year) that apparently can't talk to each other.


Merry Christmas!

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Cinemaddict

Thanks so much for the reply! Unfortunately, the soundbar doesn't have inputs for those cables. It has HDMI, optical, and aux.

Merry Christmas!

It wouldn't make a difference anyway. If your photo is really showing ALL of the inputs/outputs on the TV, you only have analog line in, not line out. But what model Samsung is that? Are you sure there aren't additional outputs on the side of the set or elsewhere? Check for hidden doors.

If not, while it's not ideal, you could use the Soundbar only for sources from the BD player by running optical from the BD to the Soundbar. But regular TV shows wouldn't be going through the sound bar.

The other option is to get a receiver.

[Cinemaddict]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

But what model Samsung is that? Are you sure there aren't additional outputs on the side of the set or elsewhere? Check for hidden doors.

If not, while it's not ideal, you could use the Soundbar only for sources from the BD player by running optical from the BD to the Soundbar.

Reply much appreciated!

Model #: LN40E550F7FXZA
40" Samsung HDTV 60hz

I've already checked every inch of the TV and can't find any other inputs or outputs. Also checked the manual. Here is a wider view of the back. Also, my Sony 3D BD player does not have an optical output. It has HDMI and coaxial. Seems I can't win today. Thanks for your help!

Would an HDMI splitter do the trick? HDMI out of the BD player, and then split signal between TV and soundbar. Hmm?

[Cinemaddict]

PROBLEM SOLVED!

I didn't think about the fact that the soundbar has an HDMI IN as well as HDIMI OUT.

I went from BD player to soundbar via HDMI. Then out from soundbar to TV via another HDMI.

Thanks!