The comparison of soundbar with 4K LCD TV and pure audio player for Dolby Atmos

The main difference between a soundbar audio player working with a 4K LCD TV to demo Dolby Atmos audio experience and a pure audio soundbar player via eARC port working without a 4K LCD TV for showcasing Dolby Atmos audio lies in the role of the TV in the system and how the audio content is processed and delivered,. Here’s a detailed comparison:

1.Soundbar Audio Player with 4K LCD TV to Demo Dolby Atmos

There are 3 types of system layouts based on the demo soundbars I/O ports availability.

1-1.From soundbar to TV mode.
• Audio Source: HDMI output from the soundbar audio player is connected to the soundbar via HDMI.
• Video Signal: The soundbar processes the Dolby Atmos audio from the HDMI input and then outputs the video signal to the TV via line-out (HDMI or other video out connections).
• TV Role: The 4K LCD TV is responsible for displaying the video, while the soundbar handles the audio processing, including decoding Dolby Atmos.

1-2.From TV to soundbar mode

•Audio Source: HDMI output from the soundbar audio player is connected to the 4K LCD TV via HDMI.
• Video Signal: The 4K LCD TV processes the Dolby Atmos audio from the HDMI input and then outputs the video signal to the soundbar via HDMI.
• TV Role: The 4K LCD TV is responsible for displaying the video and decoding /passing through Dolby Atmos audio, while the soundbar receives the audio from LCD TV & soundbar audio player, all controlled by CEC commands.

1-3.Typical mode, soundbar & TV get dedicated HDMI ports

•Audio Source: HDMI output from the soundbar audio player is connected to the soundbar via HDMI.
• Video Signal: The soundbar audio player connects with 4K LCD TV via HDMI.
• TV Role: The 4K LCD TV is responsible for displaying the video, while the soundbar handles the audio processing, including decoding Dolby Atmos.

Summarize the above
• Audio-Visual Integration based on soundbar to TV mode :
When connected to a 4K LCD TV, the soundbar serves as part of a complete audio-visual system. The TV handles the visual component (video content), while the soundbar provides the audio output, including advanced surround formats like Dolby Atmos.
• Dolby Atmos Audio via eARC:
The TV is responsible for either decoding or passing through the Dolby Atmos signal. If the content supports Dolby Atmos, it’s typically sent from the TV’s HDMI eARC port to the soundbar.
• The soundbar processes and plays back the audio in Dolby Atmos format, providing an immersive surround sound experience.
• The video and audio are synchronized, creating an integrated experience where both the visuals and the audio (surround sound from the soundbar) work together to create a more engaging experience.
• Role of eARC:
eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) allows for the transmission of high-quality, uncompressed audio signals (including Dolby Atmos) between the TV and soundbar. This enables lossless audio transmission for optimal sound quality.

2. Pure Audio Player via eARC Port Without 4K LCD TV

Audio-Only Setup:

In this setup, the eARC port is used for audio transmission only, and there is no video source or display involved. The soundbar is connected to a media player or audio source device via eARC, but there is no visual component like a TV screen. The setup focuses solely on audio playback.
• Dolby Atmos via eARC:
The audio player (such as a dedicated audio player, a Blu-ray player, or a streaming device) sends the Dolby Atmos audio signal via eARC to the soundbar, which processes and outputs the audio, but there’s no video to accompany the sound. This means the audio experience remains the focus, but visual cues, such as synchronized movie sound effects or spatial audio related to the video content, are absent.
• Simplified Use Case:
This setup is generally used for audio-only systems, where the user may be looking for high-quality audio playback (like for music, podcasts, or audio demos) and doesn’t require a visual element. The eARC connection still allows the highest quality audio, but it’s not tied to the video content from a 4K TV.

Key Differences:

1. Role of Video:
• In the TV setup, the TV handles video output (4K, HDR, etc.) while the soundbar focuses on audio output.
• In the pure audio setup, there’s no video source; the soundbar processes and outputs only audio.
2. Dolby Atmos Integration:
• In the TV setup, Dolby Atmos is used as part of an integrated audio-visual experience, where video and sound complement each other.
• In the audio-only setup, Dolby Atmos is focused purely on audio playback, with no visual elements or synchronization.
3. eARC Usage:
• eARC with TV enables high-quality, lossless audio streaming alongside the video, offering an immersive, synchronized experience.
• eARC without TV is focused purely on audio, where the soundbar receives high-quality audio signals (e.g., Dolby Atmos) but without any video component.

Conclusion:
• Soundbar with 4K LCD TV: Ideal for a complete audio-visual experience with both video and Dolby Atmos audio.
• Pure Audio Player with eARC: Best suited for high -quality audio playback only, without the need for visual content.

The key difference is that when using a TV, you’re getting a full multimedia experience (both audio and video), while with the pure audio player, you’re focusing solely on audio quality without the video component.

For each specific branded soundbar with eARC port, the system layout is determined by the availability of I/O ports of the demo soundbars as well as the demo 4K LCD TV.