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For compatible modern equipment, HDMI is the best default: it carries digital audio and video over one cable. If you want TV audio to play through a receiver or soundbar, connect the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC to the matching port on the audio device. Optical is an audio-only alternative; composite and component are for older equipment with matching analog ports.
Which connection should you use?
| Connection | What it carries | Best fit | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI | Digital audio and video | Modern sources, TVs, and receivers with compatible HDMI ports | Device capabilities and port labels determine supported formats and pass-through behavior. |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | TV audio returned over HDMI | Sending sound from a TV to a compatible receiver or soundbar | Both devices need matching ARC/eARC ports; settings may need to be enabled. |
| Optical | Digital audio only | TV-to-audio-system connection when ARC/eARC is unavailable and both devices have matching ports | It does not carry video. |
| Composite AV | Analog video plus separate left/right analog audio | Legacy players and TVs or receivers with matching composite ports | Both ends need compatible inputs and outputs. |
| Component video | Analog video over multiple plugs; audio is separate | Legacy equipment with matching component connections | Connect audio separately; a receiver may need its video and audio inputs assigned together. |
TCL Support’s connection guide advises, “If possible, connect your devices using HDMI® cables (not provided).” That is a useful default, not a guarantee that every HDMI port supports every feature.
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How do I connect a source device through a receiver?
- Check the port labels and manuals on the source device, receiver, and TV. Confirm the connection carries the signals you need and that the ports support the required formats.
- Connect each HDMI source, such as a player or game console, to an HDMI input on the receiver.
- Connect the receiver’s HDMI monitor or output port to an HDMI input on the TV.
- Turn on the devices and choose the matching source input on the receiver. Select the TV input connected to the receiver if the picture does not appear.
This arrangement lets the receiver switch among connected sources while sending audio and video to the TV. It applies only when the receiver supports HDMI switching and the devices have compatible HDMI connections. LG’s Easy TV Connect Guide lists HDMI for several source types; port availability varies by model.
How do I send TV audio to a receiver or soundbar?
Use HDMI ARC or eARC when both devices support it
- Find the HDMI port on the TV labeled ARC or eARC and the matching ARC/eARC port on the receiver or soundbar.
- Connect those two ports with an HDMI cable.
- In the TV’s audio settings, select the external audio system as the speaker output. Enable ARC or eARC as required by the device manuals.
- Select the corresponding input on the receiver or soundbar.
ARC and eARC carry audio from the TV back to the audio system over HDMI. They do not replace the separate source-to-TV or source-to-receiver video path. The exact settings and supported behavior vary by model. Sony’s audio-system connection guide covers ARC/eARC and optical setup; terminal availability depends on model and region, and eARC may need to be enabled.
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Use optical if ARC/eARC is not available
- Connect the TV’s optical digital audio output to the receiver’s optical input.
- Set the TV’s audio output to the appropriate external or optical setting, following its manual.
- Select the optical input on the receiver.
Optical provides an audio connection only. You still need a separate video connection between the source and TV, or between the source, receiver, and TV.
When do composite or component connections make sense?
Composite AV
Use composite when older equipment has matching composite ports. Connect the video plug to the corresponding video jack, then connect the separate left- and right-channel audio plugs. Match the labels as well as the colors, because color conventions can vary.
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Component video
Component separates analog video across multiple plugs and carries no audio on those video leads. Connect a separate audio cable, such as the matching analog stereo leads, between the source and receiver or TV. If the receiver requires input assignment, set the video and audio jacks to the same selected source. Cox’s receiver-to-television guide describes HDMI, composite, and component connection options. Yamaha’s CX-A5200 manual recommends HDMI when a video device has an HDMI output and explains separate audio/video assignments for component and composite inputs.
What if the devices have different port types?
Do not assume a simple adapter cable converts one kind of signal into another. First identify which device is sending the signal and which is receiving it. If the formats differ—for example, a legacy composite output and an HDMI-only TV input—you may need an active converter that supports that direction and the required signal format. Check the converter’s specifications and both devices’ manuals before connecting it.
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What should you check before troubleshooting?
- Confirm each cable is connected to the intended input and output, especially when a port is labeled ARC or eARC.
- Check that the TV, receiver, and source are set to the inputs used for the connection.
- For TV audio return, verify that ARC/eARC is enabled where required and that the external audio system is selected as the TV speaker output.
- For optical, confirm the TV is set to send audio through its optical output and the receiver is on the optical input.
- For composite or component, check that video and audio are both connected and that the receiver’s input assignment matches.
- For advanced audio or video formats and pass-through, consult the manuals for the exact models; a connection type alone does not establish compatibility.
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