Connecting a Cinemate/SoundTouch receiver to a 4K TV

## 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:

## 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.

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. While this system supports ARC it does not support eARC. Sadly, a lot of ARC TV's do not output 5.1 for HDMI sources connected to them only PCM 2.0 (be aware that sometimes internal TV sources like apps do output 5.1).

So, before you do anything test and see if your TV outputs 5.1 or 2.0 using optic and a source you know outputs 5.1 via HDMI (just know that YouTube still does not support 5.1 as every audio source there is still standard 2.0 including the 5.1 audio test mixes. If you download them onto a computer and check the media info, they are still 2.0. Even the original series that they have to offer there are in stereo).

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 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 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.

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:

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.

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.

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 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.

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 Lifestyle AV20 / AV35 system is capable of supporting & allow for 4K on your TV.*

### Option 4a: Multiple 4K devices

This HDMI 4x2 switch features 4 HDMI in's & 2 HDMI outs

* 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
* The TV & Receiver
	+ 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 receiver
	+ Connect "Out B" HDMI Audio Only to the receiver

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

* 4x2 - Avedio Links 4 Port 4K@60Hz HDMI Switch with 7.1 Audio Extractor
* 4x2 - Generic 4K \* 2K 60Hz HDR HDMI Splitter
* 4x2 - FeinTech VSW04202 HDMI 2.0 Switch 4x1

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.
	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.
		* ARC is a special HDMI port that will send the TV's audio to your Lifestyle
	2. Connect "Audio Only" to the Lifestyle

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

* HDMI splitters with HDMI Audio out and both eARC & ARC support
	+ 1x2 - HDMI eARC/ARC Audio Extractor
	+ 1x2 - OREI eARC/ARC 4K 60Hz Audio Extractor
	+ 1x2 - 4k HDMI eARC/ARC Audio Extractor HDMI 2.0 HDCP 2.3
* HDMI splitters with HDMI Audio outs and ARC support
	+ 1x2 - XOLORspace 1x2 HDMI Splitter
	+ 1x2 - ViewHD UHD 18Gbps Audio Extractor Support HDMI v2.0
	+ 1x2 - Orei 4K 60Hz 18G HDMI 2.0
* HDMI splitters with HDMI Audio outs and NO ARC support
	+ 1x2 - Egreat H10 Ultra-HD 4k audio/video HDMI splitter
	+ 1x2 - NEWCARE 4K@60Hz HDMI Audio Extractor

## 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.