How to Connect Soundbar to TV with HDMI?

Do you wish to personalize your movie-watching experience? If you want the best possible sound, you need a surround-sound system. Adding a 'Passive' or 'Active' soundbar can improve your TV's sound and visual appeal. Here, we've got you covered if you need help connecting Soundbar to a TV with HDMI.

The availability of HDMI ports will determine how you connect a TV to a Soundbar. In most cases, determining whether or not a TV has an HDMI ARC or eARC is a breeze. Primarily, the HDMI ARC /eARC (High Definition Multimedia Interface Audio Return Channel) ports are clearly identified beside the HDMI port on your device. If so, then you are good to proceed with the connection.

Note that not only the TV but also the Soundbar requires to have an HDMI ARC port for an effective connection. As a result, you should check the compatibility between your TV and Soundbar before anything else. Before I show you how to connect Soundbar to a TV with HDMI, here are the benefits of using an HDMI connection over other methods.

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Why Should I Use HDMI to Connect Soundbar to the TV?

Since Audio Return Channels (ARC) were introduced, sound bars have become popular television accessories. Connecting Soundbar to a TV has always been more challenging than with this cutting-edge technology. Due to the digital nature of the sound transmission over HDMI cables, this is arguably the best method.

Moreover, the audio is sent back across the HDMI cable and can be heard clearly on any device linked to the TV. You may enjoy Dolby Atmos and higher-quality audio if your device has an HDMI e-ARC (most recent) port. Without further ado, below are guidelines for connecting Soundbar to a TV with HDMI.

How to Connect Soundbar to TV with HDMI?

In case you didn't know, a regular HDMI cable cannot link the Soundbar to a TV. Therefore, please follow these steps to the latter:

Step 1: Ensure the Soundbar is compatible with the TV's model.

Here, confirm that both the TV and Soundbar have HDMI ARC or 'eARC Ports.

Step 2: Connect the TV and Soundbar to a power supply and switch them On.

Powering your Soundbar is typically done using a power adapter or similar device, but other models require you to plug it into a power outlet on your TV set.

Step 3: Insert the HDMI input into the TV's (ARC) port and the other end into the Soundbar's output (ARC) port.

Find the correct inputs for the HDMI cable ends to go into. You can tell which end of the HDMI cable belongs to the Soundbar and which 'end' goes into the TV port by observing the shapes of its two ends. It makes no difference which device you attach the cable to first; just ensure the connection is completed appropriately.

Step 4: Adjust Settings on your TV and select Soundbar for the audio output.

Some TVs will immediately change to the specified output when connected successfully, but this is only sometimes true. Therefore, change the audio settings of your TV and choose the Soundbar. To complete the action, Navigate to the TV's menu, and select Soundbar as the output.

That's it; now you got the quality sound as expected. But do you know that different soundbars can be connected to a TV via HDMI? Read on.

Soundbars that Can Be Connected to a TV Through HDMI

You can choose between active and passive soundbars. "Active" soundbars are equipped with an amplifier, powered by an electrical outlet, and often a part of a more comprehensive multi-room audio system. "Passive" soundbars are hardwired into AV receivers, which supply them with electricity. They usually have spring clips or binding posts on the back for attaching speakers.

However, they are more expensive and complicated to set up, but they are dedicated to giving high-quality sound and authentic high-definition audio. If you have followed all the steps above, but your connection isn't working, read and comprehend the details below.

Why Is My HDMI Connection Between the TV and Soundbar Not Working?

You may do a few things if your Soundbar doesn't work after connecting it via HDMI to a TV. Do this:

Verify that you have inserted the cable into the correct HDMI port. Or else disconnect the HDMI cable from both ends, turn off the devices, reconnect the cable, and turn them back on to see if the connection works.
Check your TV's settings and ensure that the HDMI input is active. This is usually found in your TV's sound controls or system settings.
Inspect the cable for pinches, breaks, or kinks. The HDMI cable may have been damaged on the inside and needs to be replaced.
Verify if the Soundbar is set to a different input. If so, set it to the (HDMI ARC or TV input).
If the problem persists, ensure that the TV and the Soundbar firmware are updated and compatible.
If everything seems okay, contact the experts.

But what if your TV does not have the HDMI ARC/eARC port? Read on to find out.

How to Connect Soundbar to A TV That Doesn't Have an Hdmi Arc Port?

Although the sound quality won't be that ideal, these alternatives should be compatible and work well with low-budget soundbars. If your Soundbar has an HDMI ARC port, but your TV does not, you must use a different cable to connect the two devices.

The digital optical (S/PDIF) output, 3.5mm AUX jack, or both are standard on most modern televisions. It's improbable that your Soundbar won't have at least one of these inputs, but it's still a good idea to double-check. Connecting the digital optical or AUX cable after finding the appropriate input and output on both devices should initiate the operation. Remember that the TV's audio output must be adjusted; do it under the device's sound/audio settings.

Conclusion

You now know how to Connect Soundbar to a TV with HDMI. First, ensure your TV and Soundbar have an HDMI ARC or eARC port, and you're all set. Then, find a suitable HDMI cable to connect the gadgets. If you're worried about whether or not your new TV or Soundbar will support HDMI connections, you can always ask the manufacturer or retailer for confirmation before purchase.