Any advantages buying the Sony HT-ST5000 over the Samsung HW-N950?

[tvclock]

Hi, I am considering these two soundbars. On the specs, it states that all HDMI ports of the Sony ST5000 are 4K HDR with 4:4:4 but there is no such mention on the N950. What are the advantageous of having 4K HDR with 4:4:4 ports? I have a Sony X900E 49" and the video source will be a laptop computer. Also, do both of them now support DTS:X? At Bestbuy, the Samsung guy said that the Sony ST5000 is the only soundbar that supports many latest surround formats.

In my case, do I connect the laptop to the Sony TV via HDMI 2.0 and then connect between the TV and the soundbar? In this case, do I still need HDMI port (on the soundbar) that supports 4K HDR 4:4:4?


Also, the ST5000 seems to be around for over a year, know if there will be new version coming up?

 

[sinisterDei]

OK, a few things here.

HDMI 2.0 cannot handle 4K60+4:4:4+real HDR. Real HDR is 10-bit, and using 4K+60Hz+4:4:4+10bit uses 22.28 Gbps (according to here) which is more than the 18 Gbps limit of HDMI 2.0.

You can get 4K24 or 4K30 + 4:4:4 + HDR and it'll fit. Or 4K60+HDR+4:2:2 or 4:2:0 and it'll fit. There is also 12 bit HDR which again, requires more bandwidth than HDMI 2.0 provides.

Secondly, Windows built-in support for HDR is complete ballsack anyways. For HDR support, you're better off consuming media using something like a Shield. For gaming, give up and get a PS4Pro or XB1X. Maybe Microsoft will fix it one day, but for now it sucks.

Both support DTS:X. The N950 also supports 4K HDR, 4K60 and 4:4:4 same as the ST5000.

The connection would be HTPC to the Soundbar, then from the soundbar to the PC.

Those are both very expensive soundbars.