In the past few years, soundbars have gained popularity as the preferred choice for audio playback solutions due to the rapid progress of technology, widespread Internet access, and declining prices. Additionally, there has been a rise in the prominence of 4K Soundbars. However, what exactly does this signify? Let's delve deeper into what sets these soundbars apart.
What is a 4K Soundbar?
A 4K soundbar is a type of soundbar that enables 4K passthrough. 4K resolution is the second-highest resolution out there below 8K. It is approximately 4000 pixels and is sometimes referred to as Ultra HD. A soundbar such as ULTIMEA Poseidon D60 and our latest 5.1.2 CH Soundbar - ULTIME Nova S80 supports this form of passthrough and does not lose any of the resolution when connected to the TV.
What is 4K Pass-through on Soundbars?
A soundbar with 4k pass-through has inbuilt specific HDMI for different functional operations. It means that the soundbar has an HDMI in and HDMI out, so you can route 4K video feeds as well as most other video types through the soundbar directly into your TV.
You can easily “daisy chain” cable connections throughout your system with a 4K pass-through. Not only does this method provide incredible video and audio quality, but it is convenient too. In addition to connecting your video or gaming console to your soundbar, you can also connect your TV to it with this method. It’s possible to connect other 4K devices to your soundbar while watching on your TV, but it’s not necessary.
Enhanced brightness and vivid colours will transform your gaming visuals. The visuals of TV shows and movies will also be dramatically improved through this method. Although 4K soundbars don’t improve visuals to the same extent as receivers, they will enhance your home theatre setup.
As well, minimising the number of cables in your system will help to eliminate audio and video sync problems. But do all modern soundbars support 4K pass-through? Not specifically, but more so than ever before.
Final thoughts
If you own a 4K TV or 4K projector and lack a soundbar compatible with 4K, it is advisable to consider upgrading. However, if your TV has sufficient inputs and you are comfortable with switching cables, a regular soundbar could suffice. The decision largely hinges on your existing setup and any future intentions you may have.
FAQs
1. Is 4K passthrough important for a soundbar?
No, it’s not if you don’t want to transmit video as well as audio. It all depends on your specific requirements. If you want to connect any form of 4K device to your soundbar, you will most definitely need one.
2. Do all Soundbars Work with 4K TV?
Yes, all soundbars are compatible with a 4K TV. However, if the soundbar lacks 4K compatibility, it might struggle to handle the heavy workload of high-definition signals, preventing you from fully experiencing the superior audio and video quality.
3. What does 4K Compatible Mean?
4K compatibility refers to the device's ability to handle and transmit 4K signals. In the case of soundbars, it signifies that the bar can be linked to your media device and seamlessly transfer the Ultra HD content to your TV without compromising its quality.
4. Is My Soundbar 4K Compatible?
Check the back of your soundbar to see if it has a video input and a video out (there needs to be two HDMI input and outputs.) to transmit the signals. If it doesn’t, it’s not 4K-compatible.
