Outdoor TV Wiring Setup

[jonsmith]

I am trying to optimize an outdoor TV setup for simplicity but also use Sonos sound setup I have. When planning out I did run 2XCAT6 behind the TV but didn't really think through how my Sonos Audio setup is going to work so trying to figure out ARC with Samsung and the HDBase-T setup.

Outdoor:
- TV (Looking at Samsung Terrace) which has HDMIs including HDMI ARC; Also supports HDBase-T but doesn't come with a transmitter only a port on the TV
- Sonos/Sonance Outdoor Speakers connected to Sonos Amp by Pool (4 all on one Amp right now)
- 2 CAT6 runs behind TV
- No other cabling other than electricity

Indoor (Wiring Closet)
- Sonos Amp that powers 4 outdoor speakers
- DirecTV Receiver (Wired via Coax)

Question:
I want to use my Sonos speakers via the Sonos Amp for sound with the Outdoor TV - How do I make sure that I can watch TV from DirecTV Receiver or Apps on the TV and have sound go through Sonos AMP via ARC? The Sonos AMP only has one HDMI port IN for ARC (no Out) and DirecTV only has HDMI out which would need to power video not audio.

I looked at getting a balun so I can transmit TV over the HDMI cable as originally intended, but those come with transmitter and receiver (which is fine, but seems like a waste to not sue the built-in HDBaseT). So any advice on how to use the HDMI ARC on the TV with an HDBaseT setup that can plug into Sonos AMP (HDMI)? I'd prefer not to buy a receiver...but I suppose that would work form multiple hdmi inputs and ARC.

Thoughts:
- Maybe a balun that has both optical in/outs could convert from optical to hdmi on the transmitter side?

 

[duckcmmndr]

@jonsmith I have a similar setup.

I use this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088ZG2CXV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have my AV receiver and Cable box in a closet in my pool house. I have 2 TV's, one inside the pool house and one outside in the pool area. I ran 2 runs of Cat 6 to the each of the TV locations. The plan was to use one as internet that plugs into the smart TV's and the other is for the HDMI signal to the TV.

The ARC will work over this setup...but you have to choose which TV you want to use for ARC control. Even though both of the TV's are smart TV's with all the apps...I ended up using a 4K fireTV stick plugged into an input on my AV receiver. I can use the AV receiver to select between cable and fireTV. Whatever I choose plays on both TV's and the sound comes out of both TV's and the outdoor speakers. I keep the volume on the two TV's turned down if I am using the outdoor speakers. Since the HDMI over Cat6 unit has an IR repeater built in...I can control the volume of the AV receiver with a remote outside by the pool. I also use the Amazon Music and Sirius Radio Apps on the FireTV Stick to play music rather than tie up my phone streaming. It works great.

Someone else may have a better option...but this worked well for my needs.

 

[Orion7319]

You got a wiring diagram of what your planning? It sounds like with your plan you will need to send a signal from the house to the outside TV and then feed an audio signal from the outside TV (you want to use the apps on the smart TV) back to your amp in the closet correct? It would simplify things greatly if you ditched your directv for an app based service such as YouTube TV or something similar. If you did that, then all you need to worry about is getting the audio from the tv back to the Sonos amp inside. Also you don’t have to teach people to switch inputs etc...When I ditched my directv years ago for YouTube TV, not only did I save money on the service, but it also greatly simplified all my AV setups around my house and my wife became instantly less frustrated because she never had to deal with a bunch of different AV equipment not quite receiving an elaborate macro string from the complicated and expensive universal remote.

 

[jimim]

I am trying to optimize an outdoor TV setup for simplicity but also use Sonos sound setup I have. When planning out I did run 2XCAT6 behind the TV but didn't really think through how my Sonos Audio setup is going to work so trying to figure out ARC with Samsung and the HDBase-T setup.

Outdoor:
- TV (Looking at Samsung Terrace) which has HDMIs including HDMI ARC; Also supports HDBase-T but doesn't come with a transmitter only a port on the TV
- Sonos/Sonance Outdoor Speakers connected to Sonos Amp by Pool (4 all on one Amp right now)
- 2 CAT6 runs behind TV
- No other cabling other than electricity

Indoor (Wiring Closet)
- Sonos Amp that powers 4 outdoor speakers
- DirecTV Receiver (Wired via Coax)

Question:
I want to use my Sonos speakers via the Sonos Amp for sound with the Outdoor TV - How do I make sure that I can watch TV from DirecTV Receiver or Apps on the TV and have sound go through Sonos AMP via ARC? The Sonos AMP only has one HDMI port IN for ARC (no Out) and DirecTV only has HDMI out which would need to power video not audio.

I looked at getting a balun so I can transmit TV over the HDMI cable as originally intended, but those come with transmitter and receiver (which is fine, but seems like a waste to not sue the built-in HDBaseT). So any advice on how to use the HDMI ARC on the TV with an HDBaseT setup that can plug into Sonos AMP (HDMI)? I'd prefer not to buy a receiver...but I suppose that would work form multiple hdmi inputs and ARC.

Thoughts:
- Maybe a balun that has both optical in/outs could convert from optical to hdmi on the transmitter side?

I only use Atlona baluns cause they have a great warranty and you can buy separate pieces. so if you only need one or the other you can buy 1 not both. Never had an issue with Atlona. if it says it can carry a certain signal it will. no sparkles, not dropped signal or audio. but we aren't talking a high channel count for surround so you are freeing up a lot of bandwidth.

 

[Orion7319]

I only use Atlona baluns cause they have a great warranty and you can buy separate pieces. so if you only need one or the other you can buy 1 not both. Never had an issue with Atlona. if it says it can carry a certain signal it will. no sparkles, not dropped signal or audio. but we aren't talking a high channel count for surround so you are freeing up a lot of bandwidth.

I have to agree with you about Atlona. They make the best budget converters and adaptors. I have several that I installed around 7 or 8 years ago in our two control rooms at work. They have been powered on the entire time and haven’t crapped out yet. I have used more expensive and known brands that don’t seem quite as reliable.