You can use a soundbar without an optical cable. If both your TV and soundbar have HDMI ports labeled ARC or eARC, connect those ports with an HDMI cable, choose the soundbar as the TV’s audio output, and select the matching TV/ARC input on the soundbar. If they do not support a compatible HDMI return channel, Bluetooth or a matching analog connection may work, depending on the ports and features on your exact models.
What to check before connecting
Look at the labels beside the ports on both devices, then check their manuals if the labels are unclear. The connection must be supported at both ends: an HDMI cable cannot add ARC or eARC to a device that lacks it.
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- For HDMI: Find an HDMI port on the TV labeled ARC or eARC and a soundbar port labeled HDMI OUT, TV ARC, or eARC/ARC.
- For Bluetooth: Confirm that both the TV and soundbar support Bluetooth audio pairing.
- For analog: Confirm that the TV has an audio output and the soundbar has a matching audio input. Connector types vary.
Available connections can differ by model and region. Sony’s guide notes that terminals depend on the product and country or region: Sony’s guide to connecting a soundbar to a TV.
Connect with HDMI ARC or eARC
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) sends TV audio to a connected sound system over HDMI, so you do not need a separate optical audio cable. eARC is another return-channel option; it requires support from both devices. Use the ports marked for ARC or eARC rather than assuming an ordinary HDMI port will carry audio back from the TV. Sony describes ARC as a way to connect a TV and audio system using one High Speed HDMI cable: Sony’s ARC overview.
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- [👆 Attention ⚠️]-----:1. Ensure Your HDTV support eARC/ARC function. 2. Ensure the adapter is powered on. 3. Ensure the HDMI ARC Cable is Connected to the HDTV eARC/ARC Interface 4. Ensure the HDTV is in eARC/ARC Audio Output (Use the TV's Remote Control to Turn it on). 5. Please Connect the HDMI port with the eARC/ARC Mark and Make sure the eARC/ARC Function is Enabled on your TV 6. Please Set the Audio Formats to PCM.
- Connect the ports: With the devices off, connect the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to the soundbar’s HDMI OUT or TV ARC/eARC port. Use a cable that meets the requirement in your device manuals. Sony specifies a High Speed HDMI cable for ARC; its help guide recommends Premium High Speed HDMI cables bearing the HDMI logo.
- Choose the soundbar on the TV: Open the TV’s sound or audio output settings and select the connected soundbar, HDMI ARC, or the equivalent option. Menu names differ by manufacturer and model.
- Select the soundbar input: Choose the TV/ARC or HDMI ARC source on the soundbar. For example, LG’s guide says to select OPT/HDMI ARC on the bar and HDMI ARC in the TV’s sound output menu. Samsung Canada’s instructions use D.IN on the bar and say to look for TV ARC on its display.
- Check eARC settings if applicable: If both devices support eARC, enable it as their instructions require. Samsung’s guide says eARC may need to be set to Auto in the TV settings.
The soundbar display or TV audio settings can help confirm that the connection is active. LG says its bar should display ARC or E-ARC when connected. Its menu instructions, dated November 4, 2023, may differ by model: LG’s ARC connection steps. Samsung’s setup instructions are specific to its Canadian support context and note that settings can vary by country: Samsung Canada’s soundbar connection guide.
Use HDMI-CEC for compatible control features
ARC may allow compatible devices to share control features, such as operating more than one device with a single remote. This can depend on HDMI-CEC settings and device compatibility. On Samsung TVs, Samsung calls its CEC feature Anynet+; other manufacturers may use a different name. Consult both manuals if you want to enable shared power or volume control.
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- 【4K HDMI Audio Converter】This hdmi audio extractor supports extracting audio from HDMI sources to HDMI monitors, optical 5.1CH devices, L/R stereo audio or 3.5mm AUX audio devices. It supports use by connecting only the optical audio output, L/R stereo audio out or the 3.5mm stereo audio output without connecting the display. A Type-C 5V cable must be connected to provide power for proper operation(Note: Do not connect a TV as a signal source directly to the HDMI IN port or it will not work)
- 【HDMI ARC Audio Extractor】In ARC mode(Backward compatible with ARC), connect your TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to the “HDMI OUT” port to send audio to external speakers. (Tips: Enable CEC on your TV, set the DIP switch to “TV” mode, and use an HDMI cable with ARC/eARC support.)
- 【Triple Operating Modes】1. PASS Mode: Automatically mirrors your TV’s native audio. Optical output supports all multi-channel formats.(Note: Analog R/L & AUX ports support 2.0 PCM only; non-PCM inputs will cause digital buzz/noise); 2. R/L Mode: Universally downmixes all formats (PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD) into standard 2.0 PCM. Delivers synchronized stereo sound across R/L, AUX, and Optical ports simultaneously; 3. SPDIF Mode: Dedicated multi-channel surround sound mode. Optical output supports all premium bitstream audio formats. (Note: Analog ports require PCM input to function; other formats will result in a static hum).
- 【4K@60Hz High Resolution】Supports up to 4K@60Hz with 24-bit, 30-bit, and 36-bit color. Backward compatible with 4K@60Hz 4K@30Hz, 2K@120Hz, and 1080P. Please make sure your source, monitor, HDMI cable all support 4K60Hz resolution in order to finally achieve the highest 4K60Hz resolution
- 【Wide Compatibility】Works with Blu-ray/DVD players, TV boxes, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, PS3/4/5, Xbox, PC, laptops, and more HDMI devices. Contact us anytime—our support team is available 24/7.(Supports HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, DTS 7.1/5.1CH, HLG, VRR and other functions.)
If ARC does not work
- Confirm that the cable connects the specifically labeled ARC/eARC ports on both devices.
- Check that the TV output and soundbar source are set to the ARC connection, not another input.
- Look in both manuals for ARC/eARC and HDMI-CEC settings, and confirm the required cable specification for the models.
- If using eARC, verify that both devices support it and that it is enabled as required.
Use Bluetooth when both devices support it
Bluetooth avoids a cable, but it is not available on every TV or soundbar. Put the soundbar in pairing mode, open the TV’s sound output or Bluetooth audio-device list, and select the soundbar. The exact controls vary, so follow the manuals for your models.
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- Digital to Analog Audio Converter: Featuring coaxial and optical (Toslink/SPDIF) digital audio inputs, this converter transforms digital PCM/LPCM signals into analog audio output, compatible with various audio devices. Through the switching key on the panel of the device, you can quickly select the input mode, easy and convenient operation. (Note: DAC only supports PCM input format, does not support decoding function)
- Simultaneous Audio Output: ARC Audio Extractor simultaneously outputs audio from the optical, coaxial, L/R, and 3.5 mm headphone ports. Please set the audio output to PCM or LPCM before use.(Note: Not compatible with Dolby AC3/Dolby Digital Plus, etc.)
- High Sampling Rate Support: Supports up to 192kHz audio sampling rate, compatible with 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz sampling rates, as well as 24-bit SPDIF input bitstream to ensure high-fidelity audio output and bring a clear and detailed sound quality experience.
- Wide Compatibility: Compatible with HDTV with ARC function and standard HDMI source devices. No driver or software required, plug and play, compatible with Amplifier/Sound bar/ DVD/ HD player/ Blu-ray/, cable/satellite box, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC/laptop and more.
Use analog audio if the ports match
Analog can provide a wired fallback when ARC is unavailable, but there is no single cable that fits every TV and soundbar. Check for an audio output on the TV and a corresponding input on the soundbar, then match the cable to those connectors. Stereo-mini and RCA are examples, not guaranteed ports. An RCA-to-3.5 mm cable is suitable only when the devices have the matching connections. Sony lists analog options but notes that available terminals vary by product: Sony’s connection guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Route an external source through the soundbar
If the soundbar has an HDMI input as well as an ARC/eARC connection to the TV, you may be able to connect a device such as a game system to the soundbar and pass its video to the TV while the sound plays through the bar. The soundbar’s HDMI input and video passthrough capabilities determine whether this route works for your source.
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- 【3 modes】2.0CH, 5.1CH and PASS mode. Select 3.5mm stereo output, please use 2.0CH mode. Select optical output, please use 5.1CH mode. When you use the first and two modes and find that no audio and video signal is output, use the pass mode.
- 【4K Ultra-HD with HDMI 1.4V】HDMI audio converter up to 10.2G bandwidth, support HDCP1.4,4K@30Hz RGB / YUV4:4:4 Ultra high definition image quality. The optical output supports DTS 5.1. The 3.5mm output supports PCM2.0. The audio splitter does not support 7.1 channels.Note: Fire TV, Apple TV, PS4/5 etc. only support 1080p format signals and do not support 4K
- 【Low energy consumption】HDMI audio splitter has a low energy consumption,only requires the USB port to be connected to the 5V-USB port of another device to work. Or use your other 5V-USB power adapter
- 【Wide Compatibility & Plug and Play】Suitable for various HDMI source devices without dedicated audio output as well as Blu-ray/ DVD/ HD player, cable/satellite box, Amazon Fire TV, PS4,PS5, Xbox, PC/laptop etc
Check the soundbar manual for supported resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and audio formats. Having an HDMI port does not establish support for every video or audio format. Sony and Samsung describe this type of source-to-soundbar connection in their setup guidance.
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Which option should you choose?
| Connection | What both devices need | Practical trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Matching ARC/eARC support and labeled ports on the TV and soundbar | Wired TV audio; compatible devices may also support shared remote control. Confirm cable requirements and settings in the manuals. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth audio support on both devices | Wireless, but Samsung says audio quality is not the same as HDMI and connection stability can vary. |
| Analog | A TV audio output and matching soundbar audio input | Wired fallback; connector type and availability depend on the models. |
| External source through soundbar | Soundbar HDMI input and suitable video passthrough, plus a TV connection | Can send source audio to the bar, but format support varies. Check the manual for video and audio limits. |
For a direct TV-to-soundbar connection, try HDMI ARC/eARC first when both devices support it. If they do not, use Bluetooth or analog only when the manuals confirm compatibility; if neither is available, the devices do not have a supported connection in common through these options.
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