Pretty simple as it sounds; if you got a task of how to connect soundbar to TV with HDMI, just not look elsewhere with the vague and untested information and shared out of context. The soundbar along with the HDMI connection is no less than a fantastic combination. With HDMI, you are good to squeeze the best out of the soundbar and can go beating the nicest sound with the highest setting checked.
Connecting the soundbar with television using HDMI is quite easy to do. But before doing that, you need the full preparation to first ensure your devices support HDMI. And not a plain HDMI but your TV has to have an ‘HDMI ARC’ port in order to proceed with the connection. We make the simple process simple enough, so stick with us and hook the soundbar with TV using HDMI just like a techy geek. 🙂
Related: Learn How To Connect Soundbar to TV with Optical Cable
Contents
How to Connect Soundbar to TV with HDMI
Let’s evaluate the real steps to proceed with the connection of two devices with HDMI. Needless to say, this simple-to-seem process could turn tricky for many if not followed correctly.
And we help you to bring the seamless steps that are super easier to follow to connect dual devices with the ever-demanding HDMI connectivity option.
Before stepping on the step, we need to sort out some basics first to make sure we know what we are up and going to do.
What is HDMI?
Simplified introduction, HDMI is the standard mechanism to connect the high-definition (HD) video devices.
But wait, the soundbar is actually an audio device, isn’t it?
So, stay worry-free as we will exactly reveal the steps to use HDMI to hook this audio device namely the soundbar.
The HDMI or (high-definition multimedia interface) supports audio and video regardless of their natures. Whatever device it is, it would automatically transmit the signals without needing to tweak anything.
For the audio support, it is way more supportive than plain optical cable (the old-fashioned connectivity option) as all the modern TVs have this HDMI port part of the design.
With that being said, HDMI offers to support all the old and modern audio formats including;
- DSD Audio
- Dolby Digital Plus
- DTS
- Dolby TrueHD
- DTS-HD Master Audio
Types of HDMI cables
Introduced back in December 2002, HDMI 1.0 hit the market that was capable of transmitting the data with a speed of 4.95Gb per second.
With HDMI 1.3, the speed plunged to a hefty 10.2Gb per second which was literally faster at that time.
And HDMI 2.0 in September 2013 brought the bandwidth speed to 18Gb per second, the highest ever to observe.
Now as the market is circulating with HDMI 2.1 that was introduced in November 2017 hit the fastest-ever bandwidth transmission speed of around 48Gb per second and has been in use since its inception resolving the need for the bandwidth-hungry nerds to instantly transfer anything in mere seconds.
No Plain HDMI Port Works with TV but HDMI ARC
Yes, you heard it right — the plain HDMI cables would not work when it comes to connecting a soundbar with a TV. For that, you require the HDMI ARC which is a little different from all the HDMI cables/ports.
To hear the impressive and high-quality sound, HDMI ARC seems to be a fine option we have.
With HDMI ARC, not all the TV sets have this dedicated port in the design as that is causing the support issue for many who are looking to hook in the soundbar with a TV using HDMI “ARC”.
HDMI ARC or (High Definition Multimedia Interface Audio Return Channel) is the one kind of port/jack your TV must own in order to hook the soundbar with it whereas the simple TV HDMI ports are not compatible with ARC and used for ‘inputs’ only.
The ARC connection, however, supports the TV to send out the audio signals towards the soundbar to emit the high-quality and clear sound which your ears do demand.
And if your TV does not have the simple ARC and the port shows ‘eARC’ instead, that comes as the newer version that does the same, so, you do not need to be panic about anything.
The Port Your Soundbar Must Own
Undoubtedly, it is again the HDMI ARC or eARC should be up and available up on the soundbar. Missing that port would result in not connecting the TV with the soundbar at all. So, make sure the soundbar keeps that particular port (and the latest ones do not miss it and have set it as the core connectivity port.)
All in all, both of the devices, TV, and the soundbar must have the HDMI ARC or eARC to proceed with the setup.
Step 1: Connecting the HDMI Cable
Once you have the HDMI ARC located on the TV and the soundbar, get the HDMI cable from both ends inserted into the HDMI ARC ports.
Step 2: Moving to the TV’s Audio Menu
The HDMI ARC connection is super seamless. Once you have both ends fitted into dual devices, that is almost the process done.
As step number 2, you then require to set up the audio output over the TV to make the soundbar ‘start’ working.
Grab the remote and navigate to Sound Setup and Audio Menu and replace the ‘TV Speaker’ from sound output setting to ‘External Speakers’ to have the soundbar start emitting the sound.
For example, most LG TV Audio Out settings would list the Sound Out connection options. If that seems to be the case, blindly select HDMI ARC or HDMI.
Some TVs have dual sound coming out from the internal speakers and soundbar. If that is so, you would experience the synchronized issue with the sound and hence, it causes the delay between the TV speakers and the soundbar.
In a good scenario, it is a wise move to just turn the TV speakers off to make sure only the soundbar creates the sound.
Still, if you do not find any method and your TV lacks the options to turn off TV speakers, do not panic! Just turn the volume all the way to zero for the soundbar to only work.
See! That goes quite simply to connect a soundbar with TV using HDMI with the steps that are convenient, easy-to-follow, issue-free (in most cases) where you would hardly face an ordeal during the connection.
Also Read: Best Soundbar for Dialogue Clarity: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
Best HDMI Cables to Connect Soundbar with TV
Let’s take a look over a few and reliable HDMI cables off the market.
BlueRigger 3 ft. HDMI Cable
Capable of supporting various video and audio formats, this HDMI ARC-compatible cable from BlueRigger is a great solution under the price that is super affordable.
Rankie HDMI 6 ft. HDMI ARC Cable
Long and lengthier, this HDMI ARC cable from Rankie for high-definition use and delivers the cable in two pieces making sure you have an extra cable to use in an emergency against the lower price.
Silkland Store HDMI ARC 6.6 ft. Cable
Highly efficient when keeping the higher bandwidth rate, this HDMI ARC cable from Silkland Store with the length of 6.6 feet works best with the soundbar to connect with TV to deliver high-quality sound.
Also, if you are looking for high-quality soundbars then make sure to check out the comparison of Bose Soundbar 500 vs 700 which can help you to grab the right soundbar with advanced features.
FAQs
Some quick and simple answers to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) to make sure you have the gripping knowledge of the topic.
Q1. How do I connect the TV to the soundbar if there is no HDMI ARC?
Yeah, that is the serious question and luckily, we have a precise answer for it — For the TV and the soundbar whichever lack having HDMI ARC, the alternative is to go with the optical output. Even if your TV or the soundbar does not have the optical output, there is still a solution available.
Go with a 3.5mm analog AUX cable because none of the devices would miss having this jack.
Q2. Is HDMI and HDMI ARC the same?
Almost the same, the HDMI and HDMI ARC are different when it comes to the receive side as the device needs attached has to be compatible with HDMI ARC. Missing this compatibility would not let the connection to establish at all.
Q3. Is HDMI ARC better than optical?
Of course, it is; the HDMI ARC is a lot better when it comes to passing the high-quality and higher-resolution audio while supporting the latest as well as old-used audio formats to ensure it delivers an outstanding sound experience.
Conclusion!
So, you are better off with the seamless process that tells you how to connect the soundbar to TV with HDMI as it involves just a few steps for an effective connection.
The modern world demands modern connectivity options and HDMI is the one core connectivity method introduced not long ago but has taken its stake all over the world as the one reliable and trusted option.
Once you have both devices in the possession, the HDMI ARC is the primary port to allow having the seamless connection done.
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