Need help with set up with LG Soundbar and Onkyo Receiver

[fdaletrack08]

Hey all. I know how ridiculous this sounds. I know that the sound bar isn't meant to be connected to the receiver. Basically, I wanted the receiver so I can connect outdoor speakers - I didn't like the idea of using wireless ones. So, that being said, I connected all of my HDMI cables to the back (Xbox, PS4, Blu-Ray, etc) figuring that would make sense. But now I'm not getting audio. If I use the optical audio cable from the sound bar to the tv, it works. If I connect that same cable from the sound bar to the receiver and try to use Xbox, I get no sound.

Can I use an optical audio cable splitter to keep the optical cable coming from the sound bar and then split it to the tv and the receiver? How do I make this pre-existing sound bar coincide with the receiver? Should I continue to use the HDMI switcher and use the receiver JUST for the outdoor speakers.. and in that case was it just a waste of money? Please help LOL thanks in advance!

-Sean

 

[americanaudiophile]

Does the receiver have optical audio output? Not that common. Maybe you are using an input?
You can split the TV optical out and connect both the soundbar and receiver to it. Is it worth it for the outdoor speakers only?
Depends on the price and how the receiver accesses music sources that aren't connected to the TV. If it has streaming services and internet radio that you can control with your phone that might be worth it.
If the TV doesn't have enough HDMI inputs then that makes the receiver more useful to you,

 

[fdaletrack08]

Does the receiver have optical audio output? Not that common. Maybe you are using an input?
You can split the TV optical out and connect both the soundbar and receiver to it. Is it worth it for the outdoor speakers only?
Depends on the price and how the receiver accesses music sources that aren't connected to the TV. If it has streaming services and internet radio that you can control with your phone that might be worth it.
If the TV doesn't have enough HDMI inputs then that makes the receiver more useful to you,

I just checked, yes, I was using an optical audio input. So that would make sense as to why I'm not getting sound. I bought a 5.1 receiver honestly to hook up two outdoor speakers. I was looking for a receiver that had bluetooth capability that I could directly wire in speakers to. The TV definitely doesn't have enough HDMI ports but I was using an HDMI switcher that worked awesome. I guess at this point I feel like it was kind of a waste since the only thing I can really use it for is the outdoor speakers. Any ideas at this point as to what I should do?

 

[Alabalcho]

Buy decent "indoor" speakers - floor-standing, ceiling-mounted, etc. I am using my receiver in 2+1 configuration, plus Zone 2.

Soundbars are poor-man receiver, with limited connectivity, and not-so-great quality. You can't ask much from two-inch tweeter.

 

[fdaletrack08]

Buy decent "indoor" speakers - floor-standing, ceiling-mounted, etc. I am using my receiver in 2+1 configuration, plus Zone 2.

Soundbars are poor-man receiver, with limited connectivity, and not-so-great quality. You can't ask much from two-inch tweeter.

I'm trying my best to avoid buying indoor speakers. The space is too small IMO and I bought the Soundbar less than a year ago and I'm trying to avoid getting rid of it so soon. So basically I guess my options are to split the digital optical audio cable from the tv to the soundbar and receiver, OR find a better option than the 5.1 receiver to power outdoor speakers. Thoughts? I don't know anything about powering speakers outdoors, I assumed this would be the best option and I'd be able to tie all my gaming systems and the soundbar in.