If you’ve just bought a new soundbar, one of the first things that you want to do is connect it to your TV. Then, you can enjoy all the great sounds that come with it.
The easiest way to do this is to use HDMI cable, as this will allow you to transfer all the digital audio from your TV into the soundbar. There’s also the option of using an optical cable, which is more expensive but provides much better sound quality.
Alternatively, you could connect the TV and soundbar using an RCA connection. This is a cheaper alternative, and it can work in some situations but you’ll miss out on the full surround sound experience if you opt for this method.
This method is a bit more difficult to use, as it requires you to physically disconnect the soundbar from the TV in order to plug it back in again when you’re ready to play music or watch a movie again. However, it can be a good choice for when you want to listen to music through your TV speakers without having to mute them.
Another alternative is to use an eARC connection, which is often found on newer TVs. This type of HDMI port is usually only found in high-end TVs, and it allows you to transfer sound from the TV to the soundbar and vice versa. It’s worth mentioning that you should ensure that your soundbar has eARC support before you attempt this connection.
Some soundbars have advanced features that can only be accessed with the help of a dedicated remote control, but they can often be controlled by your TV remote when you’re using HDMI connections. These can include adjusting the volume, setting the input and source, and rewinding or fast forwarding a DVD or video channel.
If you’re using a basic soundbar that doesn’t have advanced features, it’s not essential to enable the HDMI CEC settings. If you’re using a more advanced soundbar, you might find that it offers other advanced features, such as source-switching or adjusting the subwoofer volume.
To get started, you’ll need a HDMI cable (version 1.4 or higher is recommended). You’ll need to connect the TV to an HDMI ARC IN port and then the soundbar to an HDMI ARC OUT port.
ARC stands for “audio return channel.” You’ll need to activate this feature on your TV before you can connect the TV and soundbar using an ARC connection. Some TVs can send 5.1 or 7.1 channels via ARC.
This feature is useful for connecting a Dolby Atmos-capable soundbar, which is a popular way to add Dolby Surround to your home theater system. ARC supports all the same audio formats as HDMI, but it also has some features that make it more convenient.
Once you’ve connected your soundbar and your TV, it’s time to start playing some music or watching a show. You can then adjust the volume or switch between inputs with your TV’s remote.