Sound Bar with HDMI??

[dalumberjack]

So I'm helping a buddy with a few purchases for his TV room and one of them is a sound bar. I have tried to even get him to switch to small satellite speakers but his wife wont let him get away with anything else.
His budget is between $200-$300 dollars which isnt too bad but the problem I am running into (even with more expensive ones) is that no sound bar has a HDMI connection. I know its just a sound bar and it wont deliver the best sound experience in the world, but is it too much to ask for a sound bar that has a HDMI input to handle the HD audio from bluray disks? Is this the way the industry is going with sound bars? Just assuming the a sound bar owner doesn't need the HD audio because he is using a sound bar?

I knew if I asked this question on here someone would have an idea.

Thanks guys

 

[twoeyedbob]

Even the martin logan soundbar at $1500 doesnt cater for
Hd sound......presumably because they think you wouldnt actually notice the difference....

Maybe if bluray eventually become the norm ,you'll get hd on a soundbar

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[j_garcia]

You already answered your own question: it doesn't matter if it has HDMI because it is simulated surround anyway. TVs have HDMI, but that doesn't mean they "support" HD audio, because there wouldn't really be a point to do so.

 

[markw]

...is it too much to ask for a sound bar that has a HDMI input to handle the HD audio from bluray disks?

It's a waste of time, effort, and money. That's like asking for a pocket radio to have stereo speakers. You wouldn't hear a difference.

Digital coax or even red/white analog stereo is all they need.

You might consider the ZVOX line for some plain but well performing and cost effective offerings..

 

[dalumberjack]

Thanks for your reply's. I knew the answer but thought I would ask. I'll see if I can still convince him of a small satellite 5.1 system.

So far the Vizio got a decent review for the price (considering his price point) and the Boston acoustics sound bar doesn't look too bad either.

 

[1104blake]

Samsung 550za, Toshiba sbx4250, Sony HTCT550 all have hdmi pass through. The sony and samsung are a little over $300 and the Toshiba is right at that. The downside to the samsung is that everything plugs into the subwoofer.

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