Help with Optimal Setup via HDMI for Google TV Streamer

[p-r]

I am having a hard time figuring out the optimal way to connect my Google TV Streamer. Here is my equipment:

-TCL TV with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision - 3 HDMI input ports and 1 HDMI eARC port;
-Denon Soundbar supporting Dolby Atmos with one HDMI IN port and one HDMI eARC port;
-Google TV Streamer

I can think of two ways to possibly connect my devices:
1) Google TV Streamer connected via HDMI IN to the TV. Soundbar connected via HDMI eARC with the TV. Audio passthrough on TV enabled;
2) Google TV Streamer connected via HDMI IN to the soundbar. Soundbar connected to the TV via HDMI eARC.

I've tried both but would love a second opinion. Does anyone have an idea which will provide the best audio / video experience? What are the pros and cons of either? If I'm missing a better way to connect these devices, please let me know. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you!

[Rusell]

Hi there,

Thanks for posting in the community, i understand that you set up HDMI for Google Tv. I'm happy to help you!

Ensure your HDMI cable is HDMI 2.1 certified, also known as "Ultra High Speed." This type of cable is necessary to connect your Google TV Streamer to your TV, A/V receiver, or soundbar. You can purchase one on the Google Store or through other retailers.

Your TV and, if applicable, your audio system must be HDMI 2.1 capable in order to deliver high quality, high throughput audio content such as Dolby Atmos. If the Google TV Streamer is directly connected to the TV, the audio system must be connected to the TV via the e-ARC HDMI port and using a HDMI 2.1 cable.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reply to this post. I'll be happy to assist you further!
 
 
Best regards,
Rusell.

[p-r]

Hello,

Thanks for the response. All my cables are HDMI 2.1 certified. The Google TV Streamer is directly connected to the TV via HDMI IN and the audio system is connected to the TV via the eARC HDMI port. I take your response to mean that this is the best way to ensure optimal audio / video quality (Option 1 in the original post). Thanks again!

[Rusell]

Hi there,

Thanks for posting in the community, I'm glad to hear that 1St option is the best for you.

Therefore, Please don’t hesitate to reply to this post, If you have any further questions. I'll be happy to assist you further!

Best regards,
Rusell.

[sugerg]

Hi Rusell
I'm confused! p-r suggested 2 configurations and asked which was best and what were the pros and cons. I don't think this has been answered. 
I want to know which is BEST and which remote I will need to use with each option. 
Please clarify!
Many thanks

[p-r]

It's true, the original question hasn't really been answered. I took from the response that configuration one was the best option, but it would be nice to have a direct answer as to which configuration provides the best most optimal audio / video and some pros and cons to each configuration.

As far as which remote to use, assuming 1) configuration one, 2) the output format under audio options set to "Dolby Digital Plus" on the Streamer, and 3) the TV set to audio pass-through, I've noticed that I must use my TV remote to turn on the TV, which then turns on the soundbar via HDMI-CEC, then I have to press the Home button on the Google TV Streamer remote. If I just turn the TV on via the programmed Google TV Streamer remote, the audio comes out of my soundbar as PCM. This may be unique to my soundbar, but turning on the TV via my TV remote seems to tell the soundbar to use the audio pass-through, whereas turning it on via the Google TV Streamer remote seems to not decode the audio properly since the streamer is connected to the TV not the soundbar itself.

To your question below about how to tell if your HDMI cables are 2.1 certified, I'm not sure if there's a way to know. Personally, I bought two new cables that said they were 2.1 certified when the Google TV Streamer came out (one for the Streamer to the TV, one for the TV to the soundbar via eARC). The manufacturer listed them as 2.1 certified, but I would assume any cables bought within the last few years would be. In any case, it only cost $20 for the two cables.

[sugerg]

And another question, how can you tell if you have hdmi 2.1 certified cable?

[Rusell]

Hi there,

Thank you for your responses, regards with your concern pro and cons, the team would like to learn more about this behavior. When you get a chance, please fill out this form and let us know when you’re finished. We’ll have someone reach out to you via email from there.

Be sure to submit the following relevant information:

• Community Thread
• Community Username

The devices would be  authentic if purchased through the Google Store or authorized and reputable reseller.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reply to this post. I'll be happy to assist you further!
 

Best regards,

Rusell.