4 easy ways to connect your new Soundbar to your TV

While connecting your speaker to your TV may seem difficult at first, there's no need to worry as there are four simple, hassle-free methods to seamlessly link your soundbar and TV.

Using an HDMI cable is the easiest way

The easiest way to get your new soundbar up and running with your TV is with an HDMI cable. Look for the port labeled "HDMI" or something similar on the back of your soundbar.

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Then, find an empty HDMI slot on the back of your TV. First, make sure both devices are powered off, then take the HDMI cable and plug one end into the HDMI port on the soundbar. Connect the other end to an open HDMI port on the TV. Just be gentle when inserting them to avoid bending the connectors.

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If your TV only has one HDMI port and your cable box or game console already uses it, you can use an HDMI splitter or converter. These convenient devices let you connect multiple HDMI devices to a single HDMI port on your TV.

After connecting the TV and soundbar, turn them both back on. If TV audio doesn't automatically switch to the soundbar, you may need to press the HDMI ARC button on the soundbar's remote or toggle the soundbar's input button until the indicator shows HDMI (or ARC, depending on model). your). From this point on, the TV will send audio to the soundbar whenever it is turned on.

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Additionally, you should enable the HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) feature on your TV (if available) to enhance control over your devices.

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With CEC Control enabled, you can conveniently turn off both the TV and soundbar at the same time, or adjust the volume levels of both devices using the TV or soundbar's remote control.

Don't have an HDMI cable? Use fiber optic cable!

Do you want to connect your soundbar to your TV but don't have an HDMI cable available? Or maybe your soundbar or TV doesn't even have an HDMI port. You can use optical audio cables instead - they look thin with funny looking plugs on each end. If your soundbar doesn't come with an optical cable, you can buy one for pretty cheap online or at your local electronics store.

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Locate the optical audio ports on the back of both the TV and soundbar. These ports are usually small, square jacks with protective covers. They can also shine a red light to help you easily identify them.

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Gently plug one end of the optical cable into the TV's optical output port and the other end into the soundbar's optical input port. You will feel or hear a click when they are securely connected.

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Your soundbar will automatically pick up the TV's sound once the optical cable is securely plugged in at both ends. If not, press the OPT button on the soundbar remote or cycle through the input button options until you select OPT or something similar.

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RCA or Aux cables are also an option

You can use an RCA cable if you see the red and white RCA port on the back of the TV and soundbar. RCA cables usually come in a pair with red and white (or black) connectors. Plug the red and white (or black) ends into the TV's appropriate Audio Out port , then connect the remaining ends to the Audio In port on the soundbar.

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However, if those ports aren't available and both devices have auxiliary or line inputs, a simple aux cable with a headphone-style jack on each end will suffice. Simply connect one end of the aux cable to the headphone jack on the TV and the other end to the aux input on the soundbar.

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Power on both and set the soundbar's input to RCA or Aux ( Line In on some soundbar models) if it doesn't automatically detect the connection.

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Play some audio or video on your TV and you'll hear crisp sound coming from the speakers. If not, double check that everything is plugged in properly and turn up the volume.

Don't like cables hanging around? Try Bluetooth!

Bluetooth connectivity has evolved in recent years, and most modern TVs and soundbars come equipped with it out of the box. This is an extremely convenient feature because you don't have to mess around with running a separate audio cable from the TV to the soundbar. Just place the soundbar wherever you want and pair it wirelessly with your TV via Bluetooth.

The setup process is usually quite simple. On your TV, navigate the settings menu and find the Bluetooth section . Put your soundbar into pairing mode (see the user guide if you're not sure how to do this) and it will appear on the list of available Bluetooth devices on the TV. Select it and you're wireless!

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You might be thinking, "But I won't experience audio latency or quality issues over Bluetooth?" It's a valid concern, but Bluetooth technology has evolved to handle audio transmission quite well these days. As long as you have a relatively new TV and soundbar that supports modern Bluetooth codecs like aptX or AAC, you probably won't notice any audio sync issues or significant quality degradation.

That said, if you're an audiophile or a serious gamer who requires the lowest possible latency, you might consider using an HDMI cable or optical audio cable for a wired connection. most reliable. But for most casual viewers who just want to enhance their TV's sound without the hassle of cables, Bluetooth is a perfectly viable option today.

Again, don't let the process of setting up your new soundbar with your TV overwhelm you. Following any of these 4 simple methods can be a simple task. Once done, you'll be immersed in a cinematic surround sound experience without any hassle. Remember, if you experience any difficulties or notice something is wrong with the sound, don't hesitate to consult the user manual for your TV and soundbar. They are designed to provide guidance and troubleshoot any problems you may encounter during setup.

David Pac

Update 28 March 2024