Almost all modern devices now include HDMI ports. You can connect devices such as: This is the perfect solution if you have a lot of devices and not enough HDMI ports on your TV. Some of them will work via RCA or TOSLINK too, but not all. Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. If not, check if the TV and soundbar allow for optical or coaxial digital audio connections. To learn more, check out how to use an optical to RCA converter. If there is no audio menu option at all, just turn the TV volume down to zero using the remote control.

into a full home theater. Ever evolving, HDMI technology continues to relay efficient, quality video and audio signal between various consumer electronic devices. In certain cases, the HDMI ARC cables will also automatically detect the connection to external speakers, like your Soundbar and relay audio signals to them instead of your televisions built in speakers. The rest of this article will explain why soundbars have and use HDMI, if its better to use HDMI or Bluetooth, if you need HDMI ARC for your soundbar, and whether you should use HDMI or an optical cable for your soundbar. You can see from the picture above that this soundbar has two HDMI connection ports. I am getting the audio lag issues when doing ps4 to tv. If thats not available, you may just have an option to turn the TV speakers off. Hence I thought of connecting all devices to the soundbar. Many older TVs have at least analog stereo RCA audio outputs or even a multi-channel optical digital audio output. The most notable one has to be Dolby Atmos. Just fixed it theres an hdmi button on the soundbar remote. As an affiliate, I may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Some converters will work both ways like the one suggested above while others will only convert from one type to another. ; Hope you get it sorted sorry I can't give you specific advice, but am shocking when it come to this type stuff!! Alternatively, you can connect the TVs output connection to the optical input. Soundbar HDMI vs Optical: Which Is Better and Why? So, even if you have a coaxial connection on one device, it is less likely that you will have a coaxial connection on both devices. I'm Jonah. Any category 2 high-speed HDMI cables will send audio over HDMI ARC. This is why the biggest soundbar manufacturers like Nakamichi, Samsung, LG, Vizio and Sony usually come with 2-3 HDMI inputs. If your TV or soundbar doesnt support HDMI, optical or coaxial, you will probably need to use a stereo analog RCA connection. The critical consideration is the connection types available on each device. of different Soundbar models available so finding the right one for me really TechHive helps you find your tech sweet spot. So once you have connected everything, you just need to make the usual audio connection to your soundbar. A potential issue with digital audio connections is that a coaxial connection is less common on newer TVs and soundbars. For example, if you use HDMI, change the TVs audio output from TV Speaker to HDMI ARC.. So how do you hear all your other devices on the soundbar? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. However, if you use the HDMI ARC connection, there are 3 further HDMI inputs you can use to connect all your other devices with HDMI ports.

Next, go to the TVs setup menu and ensure the audio output is set to the connection you are using usually HDMI, optical or coaxial. Using HDMI in a soundbar enables faster audio transfer rates than older audio connectors. Other soundbars have several extra inputs for your external devices. If you cant get your TV to recognize your soundbar, you probably need to change a setting in the TVs audio setup menu. Your TV will need one HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port to connect a soundbar via HDMI. Thanks for your competent knowledge which helps layman like us. To put it quite simply, theyre just not as good. HDMI eARC for that matter our top 7 list). If your soundbar isnt working with your TV, check the cable is wired correctly to both devices. Alternatively, you might need to use the optical output to connect your soundbar. This HDMI-CEC is called different things depending on the brand of the TV. Plus, if the connection drops, there goes your audio with it. With so many Soundbar options to choose from, the technical The answer, again, depends on which soundbar you have. Is there a However, many soundbars just have a single connection. Only HDMI 2.1 will So, if you are wondering how to connect a soundbar to your TV, youre in the right place. In particular, DTS Virtual:X is impressively effective at tricking your ears into thinking theyre hearing sound from behind and even above your head, even when the original audio is only in stereo (which will be the case if your TV only has RCA-style analog audio outputs). This newer version of ARC will also work with any ARC connection. You may also find a stereo analog audio connection on soundbars with multiple inputs to connect more external devices to your soundbar. The AmazonBasics range is sufficient, or there are plenty of good, well-made cables like the KabelDirekt Optical Digital Audio Cable that dont cost the earth. For more info, check out my about me page! Yes. What cables? future devices will need.

(In case you were wondering, eARC will deliver full HDMI has a significantly higher bandwidth rate than Bluetooth, allowing for better sound quality and support for advanced audio features. Just connect the red and white connectors to the same color RCA connections on your devices: Unfortunately, AV devices have all sorts of different connection types. Switch on the television and select a channel with plenty of exciting audio movies or music are a good choice. includes Blu-ray players, game consoles like PS4 and Xbox, home theater But you shouldnt really use Bluetooth to connect your soundbar if you have any other option. The easiest way to connect this up is to use a standard stereo analog audio wire from the red and white RCA line out on the TV. While many HDMI cables You would connect a coaxial to optical converter like this: Then, you need to make sure that you go to the TV setup menu to select the correct sound output. Unfortunately, there isnt an easy solution to this. If you only want to hear your TVs sound on the soundbar, its simple you just need to make one of the connections mentioned above. Besides having the right connectors, you should also consider a soundbar with a virtual surround or 3D mode. This means a single HDMI ARC cable can relay audio signals back and forth between devices, providing both convenience and quality. HDMI ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. You dont need to spend a fortune on a cable. Most modern TVs have several HDMI inputs for multiple external devices. You can only get it via an HDMI eARC cable because it demands a lot of bandwidth. Its an outdated standard that has never seen any major innovation. (This refers to information relating to copy protection data, components types and possible capabilities and restrictions.). But, if you turn up the TVs volume, you should get something that will work. Optical audio cables and RCA-to-3.5mm Y-cables (pictured) are readily available on Amazon, typically for less than $10 each. Go to the TV audio setup menu and ensure the TV sound output is set to external speakers/optical out. You might not need step 3, and your soundbar will now work.

However, what if you have a Blu-ray or DVD player? On the other hand, TOSLINK only supports CD-quality audio, whose bandwidth is a mere 384 Kbps. I've always been interested in different electronics. Hi, I'm curious as in to know in your article etc,you say HDMI reduces cables compared to optical but no matter what you still have the same amount of cables,I can plug 3devices into TV and one cord from TV to soundbar whether HDMI or optical. I'm excited to share what I have learned. Home Cinema Guide may get a commission if you buy from a link marked with * on this page: Image Credit: Image Credit: Bryan Toussaint/Shutterstock.com | maksimee/Shutterstock.com, Step 2: Select the Correct TV Audio Output, Connecting a Soundbar With an Optical Cable, Step 2: Enable the Correct TV Speaker Setting, Connecting a Soundbar With a Coaxial Cable, Step 2: Enable the Correct TV Speaker Output, Connecting a Soundbar With a Stereo RCA Cable, Connecting a Stereo RCA Soundbar to an Optical Output, How to Connect Several Devices to Your Soundbar. It allows you to connect multiple devices and improve the sound in your room at the same time. Because you dont want the sound coming from the TV and soundbar at the same time, which will make the sound less clear. that makes controlling multiple devices even easier. Dolby recommends that the sound system (soundbar, A/V receiver, etc.)

Although optical digital audio ports are more common, you may have a TV or soundbar with a coaxial connection for sending and receiving audio. This wont be a problem if you only require stereo sound with your soundbar. Once youve matched the optical and/or RCA-style audio outputs on your TV to the matching inputs on a soundbar, all you need to do is connect them using the proper cables. This is where HDMI ARC comes in. Therefore, it is one of the best ways to connect your television and soundbar. HDMI can deliver better sound quality and technology compared to digital optical.

The aim is to disable the TVs built-in speakers because you dont want the sound coming from the TV and soundbar simultaneously. Once you have wired the soundbar to the TV, ensure the TVs audio output is assigned correctly. Many older TVseven those as far back as the 1980swill have these familiar-looking RCA plugs situated on their rear input/output panels, which can deliver analog stereo audio signals. Use HDMI if you can or optical if not. If the option exists, consider going for the variable setting, which means you wont need to switch back and forth between your soundbar and TV remotes each time you want to adjust the volume. Using a soundbar with multiple inputs can be an excellent way to get a home theater sound system in your room. For example, if you hook up a streaming box to your soundbar with one cable and the soundbar to your TV with another, you wont have to use a third cable for audio. HDMI ARC, in particular, helps you to maintain control over multiple devices from a single remote making your home theater even easier to manage. Its also helpful to try an app like Netflix to ensure the app is also sending audio to your soundbar. Sonos DTS Audio Problem on the Beam & Arc Soundbar, Best Soundbars for Your Home Theater [2022]. Is HDMI ARC better than optical? Will connecting Playstation into a HDMI input cut of the sound of the Soundbar because obviuosly is on a different input? HDMI isnt perfect either, especially if all ports on your TV are occupied, but its a much newer and consequently faster interface. This article covers the four primary ways of connecting a soundbar: After that you will also learn how to connect external devices to your soundbar, a problem many people face when using a soundbar for their TV audio. You could connect the DVD player directly to the soundbar if you can. Can I plug console straight into my soundbar & get picture from the soundbar? I also purchased a Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar which has 1 e-ARC and 2 HDMI ports. (The reason for this lies in the resolution/bandwidth updates that TV does not have Dolby Atmos. There are plenty If so, select this option to disable the onboard speakers. Bluetooth has its place on modern smart TVs. Its better to connect a soundbar with HDMI (guide) than Bluetooth. If not, check your cable is pushed in sufficiently, double-check the audio menu output settings, and ensure you have the volume turned up. Connect a coaxial digital audio interconnect cable from the TVs audio out connection to the soundbars coaxial input. Because this is an ARC connection, you can also pass audio from the TV to the soundbar using the same HDMI port. HDMI 2.0, however, supports 12-bit color and up to 60 frames per second.) If you arent using the optical input for TV sound, you can also use the optical connection for an audio-only device such as a CD player. This is similar to how you would connect an AV receiver. The HDMI standard has become synonymous with video connecting as its widely used on TVs and monitors. This means you need to rely on fewer cables and wires to produce both sound and pictures for your home theater. So why do Soundbars have HDMI (or even HDMI eARC for that matter our top 7 list)? Soundbars have HDMI ports because HDMI can carry both video and audio simultaneously. It advertises itself as an immersive 3D surround sound technology, and it actually works really well with compatible soundbars and TVs. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made on our website. But why do soundbars use HDMI? Press J to jump to the feed.

TheHomeTheaterDIY.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Related: How virtual 3D audio is amping up the the latest soundbars. If you still hear no sound from the channel you are viewing, replug the coaxial cable in the TV and soundbar, and go back to the TVs audio setup menu to see if you have selected the correct audio output. Most speakers cannot be connected directly to a TV. Many soundbars also come with optical audio inputs. Why? But in practice, I noticed a few have encountered audio lag issues when passing sound from the PS4/ps5 or XBOX X through the TV and to the soundbar, meaning the audio plays a noticeable couple of milliseconds after the video on screen takes place, These bugs make the presence of HDMI inputs in the soundbar a very good workaround, since the soundbar gets to process the sound first before passing video to the TV, which usually resolves the lag issues a few users face. For starters, Bluetooth adds a small but very noticeable delay. Hi! HDMI ports that dont support ARC are input only meaning they cant send audio from the TV, only receive sound from an external device. This is because HDMI supports advanced audio features like: These advanced audio codecs and surround sound technologies transform how you experience the audio coming from your TV. If the port is labeled eARC, this is fine too. Or, how do you hook up your cable box to your soundbar? difference between HDMI and HDMI ARC cable? There should be a menu item to select the speaker output as coaxial audio or it may just say external speaker. Something like that.

If you dont hear anything, check you have turned up the volume to a reasonable level. Home Theater Academy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

HDMI ARC allows the audio signal to go back to your soundbar after it goes into your TV. Youll see fewer current soundbars with an analog audio inputs than with optical connectors, but theyre still reasonably easy to find, particularly when it comes to budget soundbars in the sub-$200 range. If your TV doesnt have an option to turn off the speakers, just turn the volume down to zero. HDMI 2.0 gave consumers increased 4K Ultra HD speeds, improving capabilities with a single cable. HDMI manufacturers are also challenged to continue to keep For example, you can use a Bluetooth remote or gamepad for your smart TV. If so, you are all set although you might want to check some of the built-in apps and make sure you get sound from them too. In some TVs, the optical output is permanently enabled, you just need to wire it up, and it will work. You will need a 3.5mm mini jack to stereo RCA cable for this. Most soundbars have several audio input ports on the back, such as optical audio and RCA. No sign of an optical output? This also enables the soundbar to use Dolby Atmos and other innovative audio tech via HDMI. The choice between HDMI or optical usually depends on your devices connections. Then look for a stereo pair of RCA audio outputs, one for the left channel (commonly white and marked L) and a second for the right channel (commonly red and marked R). Sadly the only ARC enabled port on my TV is also the only one that supports 4K so I can't connect my Chromecast Ultra to it. Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. Bluetooth is probably even worse than RCA or digital optical audio. You can also use a converter if you need to change the audio in the other direction from optical to coaxial. You dont need a lot of bandwidth for regular audio. I purchased a LG 75NanoTPA75inch TV which has an e-ARC and 2 HDMI ports. (If you are interested in learning more about Soundbars, check out my Complete Soundbar Buyers Guide.). Most modern TVs have several HDMI inputs, but one of these should support ARC/eARC for connecting a soundbar. Then, the HDMI ARC connection will pass the picture to the TV leaving the soundbar to play all the audio. HDMI 2.1-supported devices. Now i know I plus the e-arc into the TVs e-arc port for dolby atmos but what are the other 3 hdmi ports for? Mediabridge Ultra Series Digital Audio Coaxial Cable, ROOFULL Optical to Coaxial Bi-Directional Digital Audio Converter. If you go over the the r/Bravia sub, and try checking out both Ps5 and Xbox ones too!! If your set has an optical audio output, good news: soundbars with optical inputs are (as we mentioned earlier) easy to find. The latest standard is HDMI 2.1, and its support for eARC allows modern soundbars to get the best sound possible. Can You Connect Speakers Directly to Your TV? These newer Sonos soundbars like the Beam and Arc support connecting with HDMI ARC to your TV. Most modern TVs from popular brands now offer support for the HDMI Audio Return Channel. Many higher-end soundbars can send an audio and video signal to your TV. Turn on your TV and select a channel with some interesting audio. 10 things to consider when shopping for a soundbar, How virtual 3D audio is amping up the the latest soundbars, our guide to the best high-end, mid-range, and budget options. Using the TV screen, go to the TV sound setup audio menu and change the TV sound output setting from TV Speaker to External Speakers (or words to that effect). However, active speakers have their own internal amplification, so they can connect straight to your television. projectors, and even computers.

You probably already know that it can carry an audio signal too, which is why we can find it on virtually every TV soundbar nowadays. The advantage of an ARC port is that the TV will be able to send audio from the TV and into the soundbar including Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos audio. Or, you can buy a TV that will pass surround sound audio from its digital audio output. Check out our guide to the best high-end, mid-range, and budget options. What would the be the best solution to connect my four devices to get the best sounds.

Hope you find the information useful. If you are like me, you spend a lot of time in your family If your aging TV lacks HDMI, the next best thing would be an optical (or Toslink) audio port, which has a squarish opening with a pair of small notches on each side. Before HDMI ARC, digital optical audio was the most common way to connect a television and a soundbar. A good example is the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 soundbar. Just because you have an aging TV that lacks HDMI ports doesnt mean you cant upgrade its audio with a soundbar. A potential problem with this scenario is that some TVs wont pass multichannel sound and will downmix the incoming audio to stereo before sending it out. So, does that mean you cant hear the audio from your game console, cable box or DVD player on your soundbar? Not only can optical audio connections handle compressed (but not lossless) 5.1- and even 7.1-channel Dolby Digital and DTS sound, theyre also widely supported by the latest soundbars. So, you may see an actors lips moving a moment before you hear it. The first step is to check the back of your old TV to see what kind of audio outputs are available. Additionally, its a more reliable connection and is often easier to set up. You must buy a 75-ohm coaxial digital audio cable to ensure the digital signal will transmit correctly with no errors. You dont need HDMI ARC for a soundbar to work. Just make sure you buy the correct length cable for the job! Although less common now, optical audio is still widespread and a good way of sending audio from your TV to a soundbar. to you and why they are commonly included features on your Soundbar stats. Some soundbars have more inputs than this and different types but the way you connect everything will follow the same principle as above. You can find out more here. However, if you are playing a DVD with 5.1 surround sound, and your soundbar is part of a system with surround sound speakers, you will be disappointed when you only get stereo audio on your soundbar. Many of the latest soundbars have become remarkably adept at teasing surround and 3D audio out of 5.1- or even 2.0-channel audio sources. However, the converter pictured above will decode surround sound DTS and Dolby Digital, so you are not limited to stereo PCM like many devices. For those looking for a high-quality home theater system, HDMI ARC is highly advised. It will be labeled ARC next to the port on the TV. I got the 75" it's a Beast I love it!! Also read: Do You Need Wi-Fi for a Soundbar? should be the one receiving, decoding and processing the sound. You just need to make sure that you think about the number and type of connections required for your room. And heres the really good news: you can find DTS Virtual:X processing in soundbars that cost well south of $200. I am weary of HDMI switches. Above, you can see the rear input connections of the popular Sonos Beam soundbar. Welcome to Home Theater Academy, my blog. The other is an HDMI output that will pass the video signal to the TV. But if you watch a Blu-Ray movie or TV show, youll instantly notice the difference between HDMI and the other audio interfaces. So, if your TV only has an optical output and you have a soundbar with stereo analog inputs then you can buy an optical to stereo analog converter: Converter boxes like this make switching from one audio type to another easy. While many of us use HDMI cables, few of us truly realize the versatility of this technology. Samsung: How to use HDMI ARC on Samsung Smart TV. With some TVs, you can turn the TV speakers on or off in this menu, and its best to turn them off if you use external speakers. Newer TVs dont often have a stereo analog output. This Mediabridge Ultra Series Digital Audio Coaxial Cable is a popular choice on Amazon. Whether you are planning to integrate your devices through a full system, just looking for the cheapest way to improve sound or piecing you home theater over time, HDMI technology is likely to remain at the forefront of the audio and video world. Home Soundbars How to Hook Up a Soundbar.

Audio Return Channel, or ARC, helps support CEC operability. You should use HDMI rather than digital optical for your soundbar if possible. If you dont have HDMI ARC, you need to connect a separate audio cable from your TV to your soundbar to get sound. Connect an HDMI cable from the TVs HDMI Audio Return Channel port and connect the other end to the soundbars HDMI input. I began working for an A/V installation company years ago and realized my passion for home theaters! This means that the TV will send stereo PCM audio from the optical output rather than 5.1 surround sound and many digital converters only accept PCM audio. Youll find plenty of soundbars on the market with optical and 3.5mm analog audio inputs that will work with older TVs. While some TVs may pipe sound through their audio-out ports automatically, others may require you to tinker with their audio settings (just start digging from the main menu). complicated system of wires plugged into various ports. I have to do this with my Switch because my TV doesn't seem to send the audio to my sound bar via ARC.

You can use optical to connect your soundbar if your TV has an optical output and your soundbar has an optical audio input. The menu might say Home Theater or list the different audio types available. In the example here, the SimpLink HDMI CEC is enabled in the menu of an LG OLED TV: The CEC setting allows the soundbar and TV to control each other over an HDMI connection with a single remote control like changing the volume or turning everything on or off. Optical outputs are still quite common on a wide range of televisions, and you should be able to find one on the back of your TV. What youre looking for is a 3.5mm audio jack (generally labeled AUX In)that connects to the twin RCA connectors on your TV via a Y-shaped adapter cable (read on for help with picking the right cables). Non-audiophiles might assume that since digital optical uses optical fiber cables that its the best way to connect their soundbar, but it really isnt. Home Theater Academy is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Also, ensure the volume is up using your remote control. terms can often feel overwhelming. It has 3 hdmi ports a 1 e-arc port.

I just did pa4 to sound bar hdmi 1 and soundbar hdmi earc to tv earc and now the ps4 picture is not showing up on tv. In most cases, you need to make sure that you set the audio menu on your TV to output PCM. I think these bugs are more difficult to squash because it could be the fault of the TV or even the source device (like the PS) - just felt there's more room for bugs since now there is one more device (i.e. If your TV doesnt have a stereo analog line-out connection, then you may be able to use the TVs headphone jack instead. This means, as enhanced ARC, also As long as they are connected through HDMI ARC cables, your remote should be able to control a host of these features, including volume and power. HDMI cables relay both video and audio signals between source media and a Soundbar. Some soundbars have multiple inputs maybe 2 or 3 HDMI or optical inputs. HDMI ARC allows audio signals to travel both upstream and downstream. stream media from one device to another without relying on an overly compatible. came down to the sound quality and the cables needed to make it work. For casual users, HDMI ARC helps to ensure all of the most common audio functions are supported through one remote regardless of the type of device. Quora: Can you get Dolby Atmos through optical? However, even though it can be pretty simple to set up, hooking up a soundbar can still offer a few head-scratching moments. Therefore, double-check you pick the correct converter before you buy.