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Cinemate/SoundTouch & 4K[]

You should know that the Cinemate/SoundTouch 120, 130, 220, & 520 does support 4K, but not the new encryption that was released with HDCP 2.2: "While technically the systems are 4K compatible, they do only support HDCP 2.1 and not 2.2.  HDCP 2.1 cannot be firmware updated to HDCP 2.2.  Additionally, HDCP 2.2 was engineered to not be backwards compatible with 2.1."

Most current 4k devices incorporate HDCP 2.2. This was supposedly created to reduce piracy and is not backwards compatible with TV's or receivers (like this one) that support encryption using HDCP 2.1 or earlier.

  • "Remember, HDCP 2.2 is not something that can be added by a software update. If your TV doesn’t have it, it never will."
  • "Some of the earliest 4K TVs from 2013 lacked support for HDCP 2.2. Worse, they couldn't be upgraded because HDCP 2.2 requires a hardware update — it’s not fixable with a firmware update. (..) If you run your HDMI connection through a home theater receiver or sound bar, it’ll need to be HDCP 2.2 compliant, as well. Any device in the chain that prevents the HDCP digital handshake from happening will prevent you from seeing a 4K image."

Now you know that, while the receiver supports 4K, it does not support HDCP 2.2 as this is a hardware difference and it is not software upgradeable. Yet, there are solutions that would allow you to use your receiver with a modern 4K devices.

There are two variations of the Cinemate/SoundTouch Model 414642 receiver:

Model 414642 120 220 520

Cinemate/SoundTouch 120, 220, & 520 variants of the Model 414642 receiver

Model 414642 130

Cinemate/SoundTouch 130 variants of the Model 414642 receiver

Audio Format Support[]

I would like to point out what cables can support what formats:

  • RCA - Stereo (aka PCM/LPCM 2.0)
  • Digital Coax/SPDIF & TOSLink/Optical (as does HDMI ARC) - PCM 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, & DTS 5.1
  • HDMI - All above & Uncompressed Audio (aka LPCM 5.1, Dolby TrueHD 5.1, DTS Master Audio 5.1, etc.)

The "Model 414642" receiver supports PCM 2.0, Dolby Digital, DTS, and LPCM. So to get the best audio quality I would change all audio settings on your 3rd party devices to LPCM. This way you can listen to lossless DTS-HD Master Audio and anything else (aside from 3D positioning on Atmos/DTS:X) supported by your 3rd party device via LPCM without losing any sound quality.

Also, make sure you connect your 3rd party HDMI devices directly to the receiver. As HDMI ARC / Optical from your TV will not output LPCM 5.1/7.1, though your TV might be able to output standard DD 5.1/DTS 5.1.

Bose Cinemate-SoundTouch 120-130-220-520 Audio format support

With a couple of the solutions below, I would probably purchase a harmony remote or something similar that can control the system and everything else connected (there have been Black Friday sales in the past). Though you can use it with the included HDMI switch remote to change sources.

Option 0. Keep everything at 1080p[]

Now a simple solution would be to watch everything at 1080p and not 4K. You won't have to change anything.

The advantage is you won't have to we-wire anything or purchase any adapters, you will still get uncompressed audio (if your devices provide it), and you can still use the Bose remote as you always have.

Know that doing this, you will sacrifice the ability to watch 4K content on your 4K TV.

Option 1. Connect everything to the TV[]

This is the simplest solution, but with a drawback. The Model 414642 uses HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.1, so it supports ARC and not eARC.

HDMI to TV Audio out to Bose DVD

The "Model 414642" receiver includes 1 Digital Optical, 1 Digital Coax, & 1 RCA audio input. To use these you need to assign the audio input in the settings.

If you wish to verify a 5.1 mix using YouTube, be aware that YouTube added 5.1 support in 2021. So videos uploaded beforehand are 2.0, including the 5.1 audio test mixes. To test with YouTube, make sure you are using a device that supports YouTube 5.1[1] and a verified 5.1 YouTube video.

If you don't care about uncompressed audio & your TV outputs 5.1 you might just want to keep it as it is, but there are better solutions.

Option 1a: Use the TV's ARC or Optical out[]

A lot of 1080p TV's can only output stereo (some are lucky and theirs can output 5.1 via ARC/Optical. Be aware that sometimes internal TV sources like apps do output 5.1).

"As great as ARC can be, there is one big issue: 5.1. Technically, TVs aren't allowed to send 5.1 audio over HDMI. In other words, if you're watching a movie on Blu-ray with 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS and it's connected directly to your TV (Setup 1, above) your receiver might only be able to get 2.0 audio. TVs that can do this are said to have "5.1 passthrough."

This restriction isn't fully enforced, so some TVs do it anyway. Other TVs will output 5.1 via the optical output, but not ARC."

I would also say that Samsung is rather notorious for having issues with 3rd party speakers, with the exception of their own branded systems. You can look around and find a lot of forums complaining about this very issue with Samsung TV's. A good example is the Sonos ARC as they also have issues with Samsung "So basically SONOS are blaming Samsung because the ARC works with other TV's". I would call up Samsung about this but really you should avoid ARC if you can as you are removing sound quality by using it.

So try and avoid the TV's ARC/Optical output and plug what you can directly into your receiver to get the best from your system. If you are only using ARC/Optical to use its smart TV services, I would probably recommend that you purchase other Video/Music devices like GoogleTV that sell for $50 or AppleTV for $150 so you can plug it directly into the receiver.

Option 1b: Use the TV's eARC with an Audio Extractor[]

One notable difference between ARC TV's and eARC TV's is that eARC TV's can output uncompressed audio while ARC TV's cannot.

Optical vs HDMI ARC vs HDMI eARC comparison

"The main differences between ARC and eARC lie in bandwidth and speed. (..) Higher bandwidth also means that digital audio signal doesn’t have to be compressed and is much more detailed, rich and vibrant. As a result, with an eARC channel, you can enjoy the depth of movie-theatre-quality surround sound via formats such as DTS:X and DOLBY ATMOS. Due to the limitations of regular ARC, only eARC can currently process these formats."

Be aware that it's up to your TV's manufacture on what audio formats your TV supports and if it will be able to pass them through.

There’s scope for eARC to deliver up to 32 channels of audio, including eight-channel, 24bit/192kHz uncompressed data streams at speeds of up to 38Mbps.

This means all those high bitrate formats currently available on Blu-ray discs, 4K Blu-rays and some streaming services – Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and object-based formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – will all be compatible.

But whether manufacturers choose to support them all is up to them.[2]

If you are wondering, eARC is a hardware difference, not a software one. Unless your TV & receiver BOTH have HDMI 2.1 hardware preinstalled it will be incapable of outputting eARC.

You could get an HDMI Splitter that features an HDMI Audio only port; typically called an HDMI Audio Extractor:

HDMI eARC Audio Extractor


To reduce duplication, I have a full list of devices in "Option 4b" and it is likely you will need to purchase a HDCP converter mentioned in "Option 2"

Option 2. Get an HDCP converter for each input needed[]

You could get an HDCP converter for each of your 4K devices. This would allow you to use your receiver as intended and would allow it to work with modern 4K devices.

HDMI HDCP converter

Though that might be a bit of an expensive proposition if you wish for multiple 4K devices to work with your Cinemate 🤷‍ 

Option 3. Send Video to the TV and Audio directly to your system[]

The "Model 414642" receiver includes 1 Digital Optical, 1 Digital Coax, & 1 RCA audio input. To use these you need to assign the audio input in the settings.

Some devices support two HDMI outs like this 4K BluRay player. This is a great solution as it will ensure you get full 4k video going to your TV and uncompressed audio going to your system. That is if your source supports them.

Two HDMI outs ubd-k8500 ports

Most cable & satellite boxes do not support uncompressed audio for their TV channels. So, HDMI might not be required for uncompressed audio so Digital Coax/SPDIF & TOSLink/Optical would work just fine. The image below this might be a great way to connect everything to your TV. I should mention there is a chance that some apps built into your cable/satellite box might output uncompressed audio, yet you could use your Blu-Ray players' apps for that.

If you are like me and your TV does not output 5.1 but only 2.0 then connect your 4k video to the TV and send the SPDIF/Optical cable to your system.

Cable box digital rear

This is why a universal remote like what I mentioned earlier would make using your system with this type of setup a lot easier.

Option 4. Get an HDMI switch with 2 HDMI outs[]

I found a few HDMI switches with 2 HDMI outs that support 4k @ 60hz. I have not personally tested any of these.

Using this setup will still give you the full 5.1 surround experience you are used to as this is what your system is capable of supporting & allow for 4K on your TV.

HDMI Audio Video Splitter

Option 4a: Multiple 4K devices[]

The XOLORspace 23420-8K 4x2 HDMI 8k @ 60Hz Audio Extractor features 4 HDMI in's & 2 HDMI outs: [Amazon USA] [Amazon UK]

  1. Connect your HDMI devices to the HDMI in's on the switch
    • If you need more than 4 ports there are other switches out there
  2. The TV & System
    1. Connect "Out A" HDMI ARC to your TV's ARC HDMI port.
      • ARC is a special HDMI port that will send the TV's audio to your System
    2. Connect "Out B" HDMI Audio Only to the System

HDMI 4x2 Switch

If this specific switch is currently sold out, I have found a couple of alternatives.

  • 4x2 - iArkPower AV-189-BK : 4 Port 4K@120Hz Audio Extractor [Amazon USA]

4K @ 60hz

  • 5x2 - Ponybro HDSW0029M1 : 5 Port 4K@60Hz Audio Extractor [Amazon USA]
  • 4x2 - Avedio Links YYG-E-1 : 4 Port 4K@60Hz Audio Extractor [Amazon USA]

If you want a different HDMI switch please keep a few things in mind:

  1. You need a switch with two HDMI outputs:
    1. One HDMI port to the TV that outputs 4K, 4K @ 120hz, or 8K.
    2. The second can be either an HDMI Audio Only port or an individually downscaled HDMI port that outputs 1080p, but only on that second HDMI port.
  2. Avoid Matrix switches. They allow you to send out different audio/video sources & could make using it a pain.
    1. XOLORspace calls itself a "matrix switch". I believe this is for branding reasons as it doesn't include Matrix features.
  3. It looks like the 4x2 HDMI switches with "HDMI Audio Only" are quite often listed as an HDMI 4x1 switch. This is because the HDMI audio-only port isn't counted as a full HDMI out.
  4. Encryption needs to be correct. It needs to say it supports HDCP 2.2 or greater.

Option 4b: A single 4K device or an existing HDMI switch[]

If you already have a switch you wish to use or you only wish to connect a single 4K device. You could get an HDMI Splitter that features an HDMI Audio only port; typically called an HDMI Audio Extractor:

  1. Connect your HDMI device to the "Input" on the Audio Extractor
  2. The TV & Lifestyle
    1. Connect "Main" to your TV's ARC HDMI port.
      • eARC is a special HDMI port that will send the TV's audio to your system
    2. Connect "Audio Only" to the system

HDMI Audio Extractor

HDMI Audio splitter wide

I have found a few options encase any are sold out:

  • HDMI splitters with HDMI Audio out and both eARC & ARC support
    • 1x2 - Amazon USA - FVMECA HDMI eARC Audio Extractor
    • 1x2 - Amazon USA - OREI eARC 4K 60Hz Audio Extractor
    • 1x2 - Amazon USA - Groza 4k HDMI eARC Audio Extractor HDMI 2.0 HDCP 2.3
    • 1x2 - Aliexpress - Navceker ZY-AV8E eARC (to select Model, listed as color variant)
    • 1x2 - Aliexpress - Navceker ZY-AV2E eARC (to select Model, listed as color variant)
  • HDMI splitters with HDMI Audio outs and ARC support
  • HDMI splitters with HDMI Audio outs and NO ARC support

Option 5. Another system[]

If the above solutions don't work for you. You might wish to replace your system with a 3rd party receiver-based system, knowing you can upgrade that receiver with any consumer-ready one in the future. If that is true, a new Acoustimass 10 series V plus a new receiver might be exactly what you are looking for.

Or possibly a SoundBar to would be a better alternative to your existing Lifestyle system. Something like the SoundBar 900 with the sub & rears. I will point out it is best to use the SoundBar 900 with a new TV that supports eARC to guarantee that you get the best experience possible.

References[]

  1. Watch YouTube on TV with 5.1 surround sound "Turn on 5.1 surround sound
    Once you have selected a video to play, a player control bar will appear. Go to 5.1 surround sound to turn it on or off.

    Note: The setting will only appear for videos and devices that support 5.1 surround sound. 5.1 in YouTube is supported on all 2021 and later TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku and most Fire TV devices. In addition, 5.1 surround sound is supported on Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, Xbox One and PlayStation 5. Many 2020 and earlier TVs may also support surround sound – check with your device manufacturer to see if your device supports 5.1."
  2. HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC: everything you need to know What HiFi 8 November 2023
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