A:AnswerWe have the exact same configuration with the Bose sound bar plugged into the “optical” output on the back of our smart tv. In fact the Bose only came with the optical plug in cord. As you know with the sound bar plugged into the optical output your TVs sound is shut off. This means you will have to use the sound bar remote to turn on the sound bar (it shuts off automatically when not watching TV) and adjust the volume. Getting use to the change, but the sound quality with the Bose sound bar is fantastic.
A:AnswerThis is super easy to hook up- you just have to buy the HDMI cable separately if you don’t have an extra one laying around. I don’t think this unit would be compatible with any “old” tv. This unit only has USB “plugs” and does not have the “old style” RCA (red, white and yellow) cables.
The first picture is of the HDMI cable and shows the type of “plug” you need on your tv.
The second picture shows the old style” RCA “plugs” that most “old” tv’s have - and the streaming blu ray will not work with the RCA cables.
The third picture shows how the USB cables plug into my tv. Hope this makes sense and helps you.
