The Samsung One Connect Box has an almost mythical status among TV owners – as a brilliantly useful TV accessory that is nevertheless nowhere near as widespread as you might imagine.
The function of the One Connect Box is to channel cables and wires away from the TV itself, to externalize HDMI inputs, power connections, etc., and to ensure that the mess is not close to the screen itself. Whether you place the One Connect Box under a wall display, next to it on a counter, or cleverly hide it in a media cabinet, it offers much more flexibility for your home AV setup and cinema system. House.
So far, so good. But you can’t just pick a One Connect Box to use in any Samsung TV – and it’s this restriction that makes it a bit difficult to get one for your home.
This is where we come in. In this guide you will find a full explanation of the capabilities of the One Connect Box, how things are going for the 2021 Slim One Connect Box model, and the new Samsung TVs that will come with the useful accessory.
Slim One Connect box: what’s new?
The first thing you need to know is that there is a new 2021 model called the Slim One Connect Box. It’s a slimmer, more compact version of the One Connect Box we’ve seen in recent years, with updated connections and a new form factor – plus the ability to attach it to the back of the box. ‘a TV cabinet.
A Samsung blog post on its 2021 TV lineup gives a little nod to the ‘Slim One Connect box’, calling it ‘a brand new cable management system that can be attached to the back of the TV. – allows for easier installation and a cleaner aesthetic. . “
We have yet to receive official specifications for the Slim One Connect box, but we do expect to see HDMI 2.1 ports, given their current frequency in Samsung’s TV lineup, with support for HDMI eARC ( enhanced audio return channel) which allows audio passthrough to a soundbar. It will likely be a priority for 8K TVs, as well as the new MicroLED series coming this year.
We haven’t gotten the full specs out of the box yet, but we’ll be sure to update this page when we know more.
Samsung One Connect Box connections
The specific connections on the One Connect Box will depend on how new or how old your Samsung TV is. A 2021 model that came with the box will likely have HDMI 2.1 ports, given that they now come standard on QLED TVs, as well as eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). Older screens, however, won’t be so lucky.
The One Connect box usually comes with ports for connecting an IR extender (IR Out) and external speakers (Audio OUT). There are also ports for antenna (ANT IN), component (AV IN), HDMI (with ARC for audio relay to soundbars), Ethernet (LAN), optical and USB.
The 2019/2020 model came with the entries below:
- 1 x power
- 1 x service
- 1 x antenna IN
- 1 x AV IN / Component IN
- 1 x digital audio out port (optical)
- 1 x Ethernet port
- 4 x HDMI IN (one with ARC)
- 1 x one connection port
- 2 USB 2.0 0.5A ports
- 1 x USB 2.0 5V hard drive port
Dimensions of the Samsung One Connect Box
There have been a few One Connect Box iterations since its inception in 2014, sometimes even in an even smaller “ Mini ” model for those who want to settle for fewer inputs.
The 2019/2020 model measures 390 x 130 x 70mm for 4K TVs, with slightly larger dimensions of 394 x 177 x 80mm for 8K TVs.
The 2021 “ Slim ” model, however, is expected to be smaller than either. From the images we’ve seen, the new model is definitely slimmer and shorter, with the curved body and smooth sheen of a polished pebble – quite different from the rectangular shape and sharp corners of the previous iteration. .
Samsung One Connect Box price: how much does it cost?
That’s a tough question, given that you can’t buy the One Connect box as a standalone accessory. It comes bundled with certain models of Samsung TVs, increasing the suggested retail price for those respective sets.
The 2020 Q95T, for example, initially sold for $ 2,999 for a 65-inch size – that’s $ 500 (around £ 350 / AU $ 650) more than the Q90T, which comes without the box. That’s a steep rise in price and it’s a testament to the premium nature of the box.
It’s a confusing way of doing things and not too consumer-friendly, but we can walk you through which Samsung TVs come with the box below. You can see at a glance that the amount of support in Samsung’s lineup varies wildly from year to year.
Samsung TVs 2021 (Slim One Connect Box)
Samsung TVs 2020 (one connection box)
Samsung TVs 2019 (one connection box)
Samsung One Connect Box: the future of cabling
Samsung clearly sees something of a future in the One Connect box, although availability continues to be limited to certain sets.
2021 saw an evolution of the form factor, with a slimmer profile and updated HDMI 2.1 connections, although the full potential of the accessory won’t be achieved until it’s so easy to pack with a flat screen than a compatible soundbar or an additional bezel for Samsung The frame.
That said, none of the other big TV brands do anything like the One Connect box; for now, even Samsung’s staged progress puts it ahead.
