In addition to the digital optical audio input and the Audio Return Channel HDMI ARC as well as the ever something present analog aux input jack, the HW-F550 also offers the option called "Sound Share". This sound is wirelessly transmitted to the soundbar from the TV (via Bluetooth) - without any deterioration in quality. Only when you placed the Soundbar over 8 feet away from the TV, breaking the sound-performance technical reasons and is low to down to stereo CD quality. However Sound Share or sound transfer via Bluetooth also needs to be supported by each device from which the sound comes. This can be a (albeit very new because Sound Share is built on TV only since 2012) his television, as well as tablets, smartphones, etc. can be connected to the type straightforward to HW-F550. Angry Birds (and any other apps as well) on the Galaxy S2 gets in the way a completely new sound-setting or quality.
In addition, the Soundbar offers in addition to the HDMI Out (via also the ARC runs) an HDMI input to which you can connect devices such as elsewhere. Blu-ray Player. In this form, then the sound remains on the Soundbar and reproduced by this, while the image signal "forwarded" via the HDMI out is to television. One USB port is on the HW-F550 also available, with the Soundbar some of the common music file formats can play itself. Just a few MP3 files to a USB flash drive, connect it to the soundbar and play it then from - want to hear a great thing for only once music, without turning until PC, TV or other devices.
The sound playback sounds from the subwoofer alone is tremendously much better than the standard speakers of the TV, whether you are using Dolby Digital, DTS or PCM lets it transmit stereo. The HW-F550 makes even with the worst quality Übertragsungs-type, the analog aux input (3.5mm jack) supplied by the headphone output on the TV, still a good figure. However, I personally rate one of the 3 above-mentioned digital transmission modes because the sound digitally felt but is still slightly better than analog transmission.
The Soundbar covers the total 6 sound effect profiles Musc, News, Drama, Cinema, Sport and Game and 2 additionally switchable 3D sound profiles Music and Movie my needs very well. If you want more or even wants his personal settings with a complete equalizer, unfortunately, no way here - and as already mentioned above with a full home theater system and full 5.1 speaker system in better hands. The HW-F550 is still "only" a sound bar.
The downside are the "remember" settings. The Soundbar reserves when changing the playback source - for example, from TV to USB - not the previously set profile of each playback source. The same is true when you turn off the sound bar, the sound is then again, so to speak in "zeroing". However, this is selected using the remote with a few key pressure quickly.
Which brings us to the second drawback: the control with the remote control. Only by connecting the HW-F550 with an HDMI cable, you can, thanks to Anynet are controlled (via HDMI-CEC) with the remote control of other devices connected via HDMI. This may be for example, both the TV remote control, as well as the devices connected to the HDMI input of the Soundbar Blu-ray Player. TV / Blu-ray player / other angeschl via HDMI. Devices must only support the way across manufacturers valid HDMI-CEC.
Since the remote control of the sound bar of Samsung, it can also control other devices from the same manufacturer in some basic functions, such as program +/-. A television remote control replaces the but of course not complete.
All in all, recommended the Soundbar via HDMI ARC to connect to the TV, because you have the kind of maximum sound quality with maximum ease of use.
I admit it, the 499 recommended retail price I would not have paid for the soundbar. For that amount you get from other manufacturers entirely different audio systems. However, I was lucky enough to get hold of the HW-F550 for very favorable 269. And for the money this Soundbar is a fantastic addition to my television.
