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Connecting your soundbar to TV

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For quality audio, you should connect your TV to the soundbar. Having a good soundbar connected to your TV means you’ll experience movie theater quality audio in no time at home.

You can enjoy excellent sound quality when watching movies and listening to music or playing your favorite games once you know how to connect your soundbar to your TV.

No need to spend half a day setting up a new device. Most soundbars are relatively easy to install, and most TVs automatically detect new audio devices when you plug them in. Fortunately, it’s not hard to learn how to connect a soundbar to a TV. Below, you can learn completely how to do this.

How To Connect Your Soundbar To Your TV

1) HDMI

HDMI to connect soundbar to TV

HDMI cable is the best method to connect the soundbar to the TV. The HDMI cable works with any sound system with 5.1 to 7.1 surround sound or better.

It can also handle new cinematic experiences like DTS: X and Dolby Atmos, but you’ll need to be sure you’re connecting to the correct port.

The majority of HDMI ports on TVs are input only. This means that nothing can be sent from the TV, only data from the connected party can be received.

How to connect the soundbar to the TV using HDMI

When you want HDMI to connect your soundbar, the TV needs to support HDMI-ARC (Audio Return Channel) which means the audio can travel in both directions along the cable.

In case the TV supports ARC connections, this means you can connect such as set-top boxes or game consoles to your soundbar by just using one HDMI cable to connect your soundbar to your TV.

Once you connect from the HDMI-ARC on your TV, you will need to ensure to use either the HDMI-ARC or the HDMI Out on the soundbar, to connect another kit to the soundbar like Blu-ray players or games consoles use the HDMI In.

Please note that not all soundbars come with HDMI ports. HDMI is usually only found in mid to high-end kits. But if you don’t have one, take it easy. The next option shows you how to achieve a digital audio experience when HDMI is not available.

2) Optical Cable

optical cable to connect soundbar to TV

A dependable way to connect your soundbar to your TV is by using an optical cable that works properly with older equipment.

In the same way as HDMI, it gives you superb audio detail when listening. You can connect your gadgets like a Blu-ray player, games console, and more, and have the sound output from the TV connect to the soundbar.

When connecting the soundbar to your TV with an optical cable, you have to plug one end of the cable into the TV’s optical output port. And plug another end into the optical input port on the soundbar. It depends on your soundbar and TV, this port may also be marked Digital Audio Optical Output.

Once you have connected the optical cable to the correct port, we recommend that you refer to the manual of your soundbar for the necessary steps to enable the soundbar.

3) RCA Connectors

RCA connectors to connect TV to soundbar

In case your TV doesn’t have both HDMI or optical ports, we recommend connecting with an RCA cable. These are the basic red and white connectors found on some older TVs. Although, most new TVs have the best options.

Connecting your TV to the soundbar through RCA cables, plug the red and white cables into the audio output connectors on your TV. Next, plug the red and white wires into the soundbar’s audio input ports.

4) Using A Headphone Jack

use Headphone jack to connect tv to soundbar

In the event that none of the connection options above are available, you can connect the soundbar to your TV using the headphone jack, but you’ll need to adjust your TV’s volume settings first.

Other TVs, such as JVC, have an option in the settings to change the function of the headphone jack to a Line-Out connection, without needing to adjust any sound settings.

In case your TV does not have an option like this, you may need to adjust the volume, bass, and treble settings until you are satisfied with the sound. Please note that you need your TV volume to be much louder than normal, and remember to turn it down before unplugging the soundbar for safety reasons.

5) Bluetooth

Bluetooth to connect tv to soundbar

See your device’s manual for instructions on how to connect the soundbar to your TV via Bluetooth. But generally, soundbars usually have a Bluetooth button either on the remote control or on the device itself, and you can pair it with your TV simply by pressing one of these buttons when the soundbar is on.

Commonly, the Bluetooth switch can be found by navigating the menu. Just use the remote control to make all the settings. If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth, you’ll need to purchase a Bluetooth adapter and plug it into one of your TV ports, which may not work with all TV models.

What Sound System Should You Choose?

Soundbar vs Speakers

A soundbar will absolutely enhance your TV’s audio, but surround sound speakers mostly give the best sound quality. For the most part, speaker systems provide a much broader soundstage than most high-priced soundbars.

Which Type of Connection Is The Best?

Our first choice is HDMI. Connecting your TV to the soundbar using an HDMI cable is very easy. Save time and space. This type of connection can be used in any situation, whether the TV is mounted on the wall or placed on a shelf or table of some sort. HDMI cables do not compress large amounts of digital audio data.

The next choice is the optical cables, which use light to transmit the digital audio signal, there is less interference and therefore better performance. Although, if you choose this option, you have to consider the position of your soundbar, you can’t move it around much because the cables are attached to it. We recommend placing the soundbar on a table or shelf so that the rear panel is always accessible.

Generally, the soundbar will give you an experience like movie theater quality sound at home. Follow the steps we provided either way that will work for you and your devices.