[matthewpartrick]

Ideally, the 2 channel audio will be in a second room:

Vonnie Rossi LIO with Joseph audio pulsars
Roon, NAS, Apple, etc for digital
TT TBD

Home theater (adjacent room but soundproofed)

Big Samsung TV
Samsung sound bar
Wireless surround (KEF or Audioengine active wireless speakers)

I really don't want another receiver in the picture.  I just want to turn on the TV and get surround.  I've had so much problems with remotes and receivers I'm looking for a different solution.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[mcgsxr]

How many sources for the HT setup?

That will likely dictate how complex that becomes.

Basically I assume you would connect each source to the TV using HDMI and use optical cable from TV to sound bar. 

That will ensure you output the audio you want as you watch TV.

[jk@home]

Home Theater is pretty boring without a decent sound system. We have a 65" curved Samsung and use one of their soundbars underneath it for daily use. Wired so that it is synced with the TV.

But whenever we want to seriously watch a movie (even if it is on cable, ie Game of Thrones) have to crank on the matched 5.1 speaker system. For us, night and day difference. And don't forget the subs, the more the better. 

[zybar]

How many sources for the HT setup?

That will likely dictate how complex that becomes.

Basically I assume you would connect each source to the TV using HDMI and use optical cable from TV to sound bar. 

That will ensure you output the audio you want as you watch TV.

This is what I do in my 2.1 bedroom system with a Pioneer soundbar.

Works flawlessly.

George

[mcgsxr]

But whenever we want to seriously watch a movie (even if it is on cable, ie Game of Thrones) have to crank on the matched 5.1 speaker system.

I cannot argue that my 5.1 in the basement is WAY better than my 3 channel soundbar on the main floor (even supported with a large DIY sub).  But for daily viewing, it is easier to live with!

"Real" movie watching is all done in the basement on that setup.

I use Logitech remotes in all 3 TV setups in the house, and have for a long time.  Highly recommended.

[jk@home]

I must be unqualified to use the Harmony remotes. Never owned one, but have used them occasionally at B&Bs we have visited in the past. I always seem to get them off sync, and have to figure out what I turned off or on. maybe if I owned one it would be different.

Been using an OLD Universal leaning remote (MX-500) for years now. Along with some lesser RF20s, which work real well with the RF stations, through out the house. Basically if one want something to work, a dedicated button has to be pushed. When that MX-500 goes, I will be lost.

I would love to find a universal that acts more like a smart phone or tablet, with a touch screen but learns and controls like my old Universal one. Maybe it's already out there. And it won't be cheap.

[mcgsxr]

Logitech Harmony Hub.  Can use any ios device AS the remote once you install the free app.  Retail is around $100 here in Canada.

I have been using one in the basement setup (media closet) ever since my Logitech 900 died (it had both RF and IR).

[srb]

I must be unqualified to use the Harmony remotes. Never owned one, but have used them occasionally at B&Bs we have visited in the past. I always seem to get them off sync, and have to figure out what I turned off or on.

That's a potential problem for any remote control programmed with macros for multiple component tasks.  Half of my remote components have discrete codes for On and Off and the other half unfortunately use a single code to toggle power.  If they all had discrete On/Off, power states would never be out of sync.

Steve

[jk@home]

Logitech Harmony Hub.  Can use any ios device AS the remote once you install the free app.  Retail is around $100 here in Canada.

I have been using one in the basement setup (media closet) ever since my Logitech 900 died (it had both RF and IR).

That's awesome, I'll check it out.

[zybar]

Logitech Harmony Hub.  Can use any ios device AS the remote once you install the free app.  Retail is around $100 here in Canada.

I have been using one in the basement setup (media closet) ever since my Logitech 900 died (it had both RF and IR).

I use this as well.   

Recently integrated it with my Amazon Echo and Dot and took things to a new level.   

George