Node X & laptop

Answered
LD Williams
  • Edited

Hello,
First post here And very much a newbie.
I have just received the Node X. Connected via ethernet. Connected to a Sennheiser Ambeo Plus (not ideal I know but that's is what I have for now)
All music streaming (Tidal, Amazon, Spotify, Qobuz) so far works well, no problems that I have noted so far.
I wanted to connect my laptop (Win 10) to Node X to then output to the Ambeo Plus, for movies, netflix etc.
I have tried connecting HDMI from laptop to HDMI in of the Node X with no success.
The 3.5 stereo headphone out from laptop to analogue input of Node X won't work but from 2nd monitor to Node x works fine, so that's okay anyway
I have connected laptop using bluetooth so that is okay as well.

I am obviously doing something wrong, but What please?

Thanks for any advice

0

Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Seppi Evans
    Hi-Res

    The Ambeo is going to be digitally processing all the inputs so I doubt you would get any gains connecting the laptop via the NODE.

    A longer HDMI cable is going to be the cheapest option compared to an extractor of which would be very much trial and error to find something that works for you.

  • LD Williams

    Just been doing some more reading up - do I need an HDMI extractor that will go between laptop and Node X ?

    1
  • Seppi Evans
    Hi-Res

    The ARC port on the NODE is designed to connect a TV, you would connect all your sources (DVD, satellite box etc.) to the TV inputs and then use the ARC out on the TV to the ARC in on a Bluesound device.

    Any reason why you cannot connect the laptop directly to the Ambeo?

    1
  • LD Williams

    Thank you for replying so quickly. I have ordered a longer HDMI cable to directly connect laptop to Ambeo, but I thought that running the laptop through the Node X would result in better sound, or am I wrong there? (Newbie, still learning)

    Would an HDMI extractor between laptop and Node X do the trick?
    (Just thinking of shorter cables everywhere)

    0
  • LD Williams

    Thanks. Two questions please -
    I presume that the Ambeo already has a HDMI converter built into their HDMI circuitry? 
    If that is the case would the 2.1 or 2.0 HDMI input on the Ambeo be the best?

    0
  • Seppi Evans
    Hi-Res

    The inputs on the Ambeo are designed for sources, the HDMI input used would depend on what the source (laptop) outputs at its best. e.g. if a gaming laptop with super dooper graphics card then the 2.1 input would be preferred.

    Why not move the laptop closer and test it out with the short HDMI lead that you have?

    1
  • LD Williams

    It's a decent laptop (was top end two years ago, but of course standards improve) with a Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics card with "NVIDIA High Definition Audio"
    I don't have any spare HDMI that aren't in use and cable tied onto the back of the TV etc.

    I can order from Amazon and hopefully get it today if I am lucky, or tomorrow otherwise. If Amazon don't stock high enough quality HDMI cables I would then order from elsewhere.
    It would need to be 2M, probably 3M in length as I am unable to move it closer (I'm disabled and know what I can and cannot do).

    Do you have any suggestions as to what would be a decent quality HDMI cable please?

    0
  • Seppi Evans
    Hi-Res

    You want a certified HDMI lead… in the UK I buy from here… link to 3m version…

    https://leadsdirect.co.uk/shop/hdmi-lead-4k-premium-certified-gold-plated-3m/

    1
  • LD Williams

    Many thanks for the link And your knowledge, I am very grateful for the help.
    I've ordered that cable and one of their optical ones as well.

    Thank you very much for your answers, they have increased my knowledge
    Is there an 'answered/solved' option on here ?

    0
  • Seppi Evans
    Hi-Res

    Glad to help, the Bluesound support crew will mark as solved.

    1
  • LD Williams

    Thought I would mention this as it great customer service from Leads Direct.
    They have just called me to inform me that the optical cable would be an extra day as they were receiving new stock, and did I want the packages sent sep or was I willing to wait the extra day.
    That is Great customer service. 

    1
  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Would an HDMI extractor between laptop and Node X do the trick?

    Yes - ARC does not just happen on any HDMI port. Unless you can adjust the Windows Hardware settings of the Laptop to an HDMI-ARC port you will require extraction.

    1
  • LD Williams

    Thank you.
    It's not That important in the end. As long as I can get a decent stream from the laptop to the Dac, that's all I need.

    But on a side note, are there any brands or models that are worth looking at?

    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

New post