Skip to content
HearingTracker
Log in

Samsung 4K TV not streaming to Phonak B90 with ComPilot II

This topic is closed.

12 replies1.5k viewsLast reply

Link to this topic
Edited

I have just bought a new Samsung 4k tv. It is not possible to play audio through the tv speakers AND spdif/Bluetooth connected streamer. I can no longer listen with my Phonak B90’s with Compilot11 whilst my partner listens to the speaker audio.

The issue is that the new Samsung TV’s allow audio output to speaker or Bluetooth or spdif only. My 7 year old Samsung always sent a fixed output to both analog and spdif ports independently of speaker output. So with my shiny new TV, it’s TV speakers OR streaming to my aids but not both.

For clarity, my overall setup uses an Apple TV 5th gen, and pair of HomePods. It sounds brilliant but it’s a dogs dinner to set up. Especially with the new Samsung TV, which whilst being airplay 2 compatible is NOT Apple HomeKit compatible. I expect that if I used a sound-bar connected to the Samsung via the HDMIeARC port would allow both speakers and streaming, I don’t want a soundbar!

I doubt there is a solution, though any welcome, it’s more a case of warning of this pitfall which I believe would apply to any current generation Samsung TV. Should have gone with my original gut instinct to get a LG though have no idea if that would have been any better.

My setup: Phonak B90, Compilot ll + TV Link ll, Samsung TU8500 series, Apple TV 4K 5th gen, Apple HomePods (paired), the HomePods also used for general music streaming (classical) as well.

7 people in this conversation5 min readJump to latest

SPDIF is always on on my Samsung 4k. Maybe 2 years old. An undocumented feature that I’m told is common with modern tvs. Have you tested SPDIF (in spite of what the manual might say)?

I’ve not heard that the Optical output is turned off on any device.

Can’t you just have a look to see if there’s a red glow on the socket.

Just, Fwiw, the optical output is the best one to use.

There’s negligible latency in the signal and the connecting wires are available for a couple of quid. All of the modern Tv streamers use this as a source, because it’s so simple.

The only slight downside is that if your surround system needs the optical cable, you will need a splitter.

In reply to @Um_bongo

Thanks to all responders.

Ok… so revisiting. All very dependent on default audio setting on Apple TV

  1. Default set to TV Speakers:
    TV speakers AND spdif to tv-Link DO work simultaneously (not sure why I had an issue previously).
    HomePods - nothing.
  2. Default set to HomePods
    HomePods work
    TV speakers and streamer - nothing

Above as expected. However, any attempt to alter output selection using the Apple remote long press on TV button, airplay selector, does not work! So I can’t change output or add say HomePod to TV or visa versa.

Current conclusion: if I need streaming to my aids and speakers on, it has to be the TV speakers set as default audio.
If I want decent speakers and no streaming, it’s the HomePods as default audio. I will keep the setup screen open at default speaker selection, so that I can quick switch between apps from the Apple remote.

I postulate that this limitation resultant from the Samsung not being HomeKit compatible even though it is Airplay ll compatible. Not surprising given that Apple never make life easy for integration of non Apple products into their ecosystem. If the HomePods weren’t as good as they are I would consider alternatives, but they are amazing even for hearing challenged listeners like me. It’s just speech that is a real issue for which I need the streamer. So when I need the streamer, my wife will have to suffer the TVs inbuilt speakers (which are quite reasonable on the Samsung 8500).

Unless any one has a further suggestion.

I have a Sonos setup in my house.

Big initial investment, but it really works well. I can feed any audio to any room, all from the App.

Expandable kit too.

In reply to @MDB

Sonos… I have seen Sonos setups in a few homes, really impressed with its distribution facilities and interoperability. Sounds good though not on the same level as the HomePods which as a stereo pair are imho supreme for classical music at this price point and size.

The perversity is that though my hearing is now crap and dependent on my aids for day to day functionality, I can still, whilst wearing my aids appreciate differences, nuances, and derive enjoyment from the music. Watching movies on the other hand is a pain as I hear but have difficulty interpreting what’s being said. Sums up the area of hearing aid technology that really hasn’t advanced much. Whilst I need the streamer to make out what is being said, the music sounds dreadful! Hearing loss is not just at the cochlear level… sadly.

My experience with new Samsung (Q80) and …

I have Phonak Marvel 90s, and use the Phonak TV Connector to stream - works great, flawless operation for me. Phonak TV Connector uses the (Toslink) optical out.

I also use a Samsung soundbar for regular audio. Best way to connect soundbar and new TV is HDMI (eARC), but I tried valiantly and couldn’t make that work - got frequent (very) loud feedback. Might have been operator error, but Samsung TV and Samsung soundbar didn’t play well together, go figure!

Only way for me to make soundbar work effectively was to also connect with optical. I found an (inexpensive) optical splitter at Amzn and use that to connect both soundbar and TV connector at same time and this works very well.

Someday in future when I upgrade to Paradise, I’ll try to work out direct connect. In the interim, the Phonak TV Connector is great - well worth the extra $100 investment.

Related discussions