Frustration with connection to Samsung TV using HDMI and soundbar

[Andy766702]

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.

[DarrenDev]

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?

[Andy766702]

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

[chistery]

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!

[SpeedySalsar2]

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....

[robh661]

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. 

[robh661]

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. 

[Andy766702]

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.

[Andy766702]

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