topic Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar in TV

Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

Andy766702 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:38:52 GMT

Hi,
I’ve been using EE TV with the Smart Box Pro for a few months, and I’m running into a persistent HDMI/CEC issue.

When powering on the system after the EE box has been in standby, the TV doesn’t consistently switch to the correct HDMI input (EE TV). Instead, it often defaults to the Samsung TV’s native interface. To get back to EE TV, I typically have to press the source button twice on the EE remote, then navigate manually. Even then, audio doesn’t always initialise correctly via the soundbar. When that happens, I need to force a full shutdown (long-press power on EE remote) to reboot the entire setup.

My current setup:

EE TV Box Pro → Soundbar (HDMI ARC/eARC)
Soundbar → Samsung TV (HDMI ARC port)

If I bypass the soundbar and connect the EE box directly to the TV, it works reliably—but I want to keep the soundbar in the chain. I’ve also tried routing both the EE box and soundbar separately into the TV with mixed results. HDMI-CEC seems to be inconsistently applied depending on power state or device wake order.

Ideally, I want the system to wake up and default to the EE TV input with soundbar audio active—no manual input switching or audio resets.

Any ideas or similar experiences? Happy to adjust settings or wiring if there's a more reliable config.

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

DarrenDev — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:08:25 GMT

Normally you'd connect the soundbar directly to the eArc port of the TV, and then other devices directly to the TV too (in other HDMI inputs). You say you've tried this, and had poor results?

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

Andy766702 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:41:26 GMT

Yeah, what sometimes happens is that it does not default to EETV but instead just remains on Samsung TV. When I used to get TV from another provider the TV would always show the output from the HDMI first

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

chistery — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:55:43 GMT

HDMI output is the bane of my life. Turning on my Sky Stream often powers on my TV and soundbar, but then my Apple TV might wake up and decides that is far more important and changes the output. I then have to fight my Apple TV for control as it thinks it knows better. Tim Apple has a lot to answer for!

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

SpeedySalsar2 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 22:43:54 GMT

try changing your HDMI cable.

I tried connecting a Drone controller with my Samsung tv, and found that not all leads are the same - I tried 3 or 4 leads before I found the one that worked(type c to HDMI)

Try turning the leads around - sorry meant try swapping the leads in ee box n soundbar doh 😳

Maybe this will work, maybe it won't, hope it does....

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

robh661 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:02:36 GMT

I thought the TV remembered it’s last state i.e what you was watching when you turned jt off.
Because I’ve got a Samsung TV, Pro Box & Soundbar. But I always put mine back to DTV, and then when I next turn the TV on, the Soundbar will kick in and mute the internal speakers.
Maybe try that, bit of a long haul though.

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

robh661 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:04:54 GMT

That I think could be the remote control using the same infrared signal, had that with a hi-fi once, turned the sky box on and the hi-fi kicked in as well.

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

Andy766702 — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:54:26 GMT

I seem to remember I had to set my old Virgin Media STB to always on, and the issue never occurred. As far as I can see, there doesn't seem to be that option with the EE TV Box Pro.

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

Andy766702 — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:56:18 GMT

I will try a 3rd HDMI cable. I have completely disconnected the soundbar and will see how it is later today.

Re: Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

Caravan18 — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 23:26:13 GMT

I've had the same issue but I think I've resolved it.

On tv go to settings - all settings - advanced settings - advanced features - start screen options then turn off the two toggles: start with smart hub and the smart tv.

It sums to have resolved the problem.