How To Connect Soundbar To TV With HDMI?

If you want to improve sound quality in your home theatre, it's better to use a soundbar and connect it to your TV. Although it has a simple design, setting it up may be a headache problem. 

You can use many cables to attach it, but HDMI is the best option. How to connect soundbar to TV with HDMI? Let's take a peek at the article!

What Is HDMI? 

HDMI is the abbreviation of High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It is a pattern for simultaneously transferring audio and video from a source to display devices such as a TV cable box to a projector, a computer to a TV, and many others. 

What are the outstanding features of this device? It comes with the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature, enabling you to connect and control a maximum of 15 display devices via one remote control. 

It blends both video and audio just into one connection with one plug. Yon't need too many things to plug in, and just one is enough to transmit digital audio and video. That's why it defeats old cables. 

Thanks to the Mobile Connectivity property, you are allowed to connect your smartphone and other devices to the TV. In this way, you can create a splendor theatre at home. 

What's more, it supports resolutions maximum of 1080p for most display devices and 4Kx2K for other high-end equipment like Ultra HD TVs. Now it's possible to get vivid and clear high definition images of the best quality. 

Do you want to experience a true theatre in your house? Let's invest in HDMI cables because it provides transmission features such as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio and supports 3D video.

In addition, HDMI has a wide range of versions, including:

• HDMI 1.0: Transfer data up to 4.9 Gb per second with eight digital audio channels, which are uncompressed. 

• HDMI 1.1: It is great to support for DVD Audio. 

• HDMI 1.2 and 1.2a: Support for SACD format with eight channels and CEC as well. 

• HDMI 1.3: Improve the bandwidth with 10.2 Gb speed and expand CEC to control devices.

• HDMI 1.4: Increase resolutions up to 4096 x 2160p at 24Hz and 3840 x 2160p at 25/30Hz and supports ARC. 

• HDMI 2.0: Increase the bandwidth with 18Gb speed per second and supports 4K Ultra HD resolutions.

• HDMI 2.0a: Support HDR videos. 

• HDMI 2.0b: Support HLG videos.

• HDMI 2.1: Support 8K/120 and 4K/120 video resolutions and Dynamic HDR. 

HDMI cables (link)

How To Connect Soundbar To TV With HDMI 

It's time to delve into the best way to hook up the soundbar to TV with HDMI. Let's take a closer look at this section. 

Connect devices to power 

First of all, you must make sure that all your audiovisual (AV) devices are ready to use. Always remember to set up the soundbar because it requires a distinct power source. 

Each soundbar type has its unique receiving power method. However, the commonly used technique to provide power is connecting the soundbar with a power adapter like an AC one. Some can enable you to connect directly to your TV, but this case isn't always possible.

After, turn on all AD devices, including TV and soundbar, before connecting them with HDMI. 

Connect devices to power (link)

Determine the HDMI input (ARC) on the TV

You can find the HDMI input port on the TV in the same position as other ports on your TV. If you can't detect it, check other buttons, power, or TV manual. 

Detect the HDMI output (ARC) on the soundbar

To connect them, you need to locate the HDMI output port on the soundbar device. Normally, you will easily find it because the soundbar has fewer ports than the TV. 

Plug HDMI cable into each AV device, respectively

Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) port of your TV to the eARC port of the soundbar. 

Then, plug any of the other AV devices with HDMI output (ARC) ports, such as video game consoles or Blu-ray players, into the other ports of the TV. 

Input and output ports (link)

Adjust the TV settings 

Some soundbars automatically become the selective speaker output when connecting it to the TV, but not all types. So, you have to customize the TV settings to set the soundbar as the correct speaker output. 

First, go to the "Settings" section on your TV screen. Then move to the "TV sound setup audio" display and select "TV Speaker" or "Audio," depending on your TV type. 

Change the audio output of the TV from "TV speaker" into the "External Speakers" option. Then, the display may show "Home Theater" or various sorts of audio. Decide your desired connection method, either HDMI or HDMI ARC. 

Finally, let's turn off your TV speaker or adjust its volume down to 0. Try playing a movie or music you like to check the sound quality.

Adjust TV audio setting (link)

FAQs 

Can I connect the soundbar to the TV without an HDMI cable? 

It's quite hard to answer this question directly. It depends on the equipment and the HDMI technology of the TV and the soundbar.

For example, some old devices require an HDMI cable, so connecting the soundbar to your TV without it is impossible.

With the advancement of technology, your dream has become true now. You can set up a soundbar for your TV without the presence of HDMI. 

Set up equipment (link)

Is there another way to connect the soundbar to the TV besides HDMI?

Yes, apart from HDMI cables, you can use other methods such as optical cables, coaxial, or stereo RCA. Each method has both advantages and disadvantages, so think carefully before selecting one.

Stereo RCA cables (link)

Which is better, HDMI or HDMI ARC?

HDMI ARC is better than regular HDMI because it comes with higher bandwidth and promotes higher-resolution transmission for audio and video. 

Can I use a HDMI splitter on a soundbar?

The good news is yes. Suppose the HDMI input doesn't require any of the ARC signals. Also, if the TV doesn't own an Audio Return Channel (ARC) port, you should distribute the audio via an HDMI splitter. 

Splitter (link) 

Why is there no sound coming from my soundbar?

Many causes are leading to the "no sound" problem on your soundbar may include:

• You haven't turned it on. 

• You accidentally turn off the volume on the soundbar.

• You have the wrong source selected. 

• The audio cable is not plugged into the sockets of the soundbar and the TV.

• You haven't changed the audio TV setting from "TV speaker" into "External speaker".

• The wrong connection between input and output ports occurs.  

No sound problem (link) 

What to do if the soundbar is not working?

Sometimes, the soundbar can temporarily stop working. This phenomenon is quite common, so don't stress. 

To fix this problem, you can apply the following way:

• Unconnect the soundbar and TV plugs within about 10 seconds. After that, plug these things back in.

• Reestablish the HDMI connection between the soundbar and the TV. 

• Make the firmware of the soundbar and the TV up-to-date, and then cycle the power. Restart the devices.

Home theatre (link)

What to do if my soundbar does not have HDMI?

In this situation, you can replace HDMI with an optical cable. It is also useful for transmitting digital sounds with high quality, especially ideal for the surround sound system. 

The Bottom Line

To sum up, this article has ultimately provided you with the most practical and effective method related to how to connect soundbar to TV with HDMI.

This way is not as difficult as you think to determine the exact input and output ports and plug them correctly. 

Hopefully, this post is helpful for your task.

Thanks for reading!