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Usually, yes—but not literally to every TV. A sound bar can connect when the TV and sound bar share a compatible wired connection, such as HDMI ARC/eARC, optical audio or analog audio, or both support compatible Bluetooth audio. Check the exact port labels and the manuals for both models before choosing a connection or buying a cable.
Which connection should you use?
Start by checking the TV’s audio outputs and the sound bar’s inputs. The available terminals can vary by model and, in some cases, by region or country, so the devices’ manuals are more reliable than assuming a port is present. Sony summarizes the basic rule: the connection method depends on the ports available on the TV and sound bar (Sony’s connection guidance).
| Connection | What both devices need | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC/eARC | A TV HDMI port labelled ARC or eARC/ARC, and a sound bar port labelled TV ARC/eARC or equivalent. | Connect the labelled ports with an HDMI cable, choose the corresponding sound bar input and set the TV’s audio output to the audio system or ARC option. |
| Optical digital audio | A TV optical audio output and a sound bar optical input. | Connect them with an optical audio cable, then select the appropriate output and input. This is a wired alternative when a TV lacks an ARC/eARC HDMI connection. |
| Analog audio | A compatible analog audio output on the TV and analog input on the sound bar. | Use a cable that matches the actual jacks on both devices, then select the corresponding audio output and input. |
| Bluetooth | Both devices must support compatible Bluetooth audio functions. | Pair them using the instructions for the specific TV and sound bar. Bluetooth availability alone should not be assumed to mean the TV supports audio output to a sound bar. |
Sony lists optical and stereo mini analog among possible alternatives when HDMI ARC/eARC is not suitable; the actual ports still need to match (Sony’s connection options).
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- Find the labelled ports. Use the TV’s HDMI port marked ARC or eARC/ARC and the sound bar’s TV ARC/eARC port. A regular HDMI port is not a substitute for the required ARC/eARC connection.
- Connect the ports. Use an HDMI cable and follow the manuals’ cable guidance for your devices.
- Select the sound bar input. Choose the ARC/eARC or corresponding TV input on the sound bar.
- Set the TV audio output. In the TV’s sound or audio settings, select the audio system, HDMI ARC or equivalent output.
- Enable eARC if applicable. For an eARC setup, check the TV’s eARC mode and the sound bar’s eARC setting; Sony’s guide instructs users to enable eARC on both when setting up that connection (Sony’s audio-system connection guide).
Menu names and exact settings differ among manufacturers and models. LG, for example, directs users to select HDMI ARC in the TV’s output-speaker menu and the corresponding ARC function on the sound bar; it cautions that menu names and methods vary by TV manufacturer (LG’s ARC setup instructions). Samsung also describes using the TV’s ARC/eARC port, the sound bar’s TV eARC/ARC port and the appropriate sound bar input (Samsung’s setup guidance).
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What if the TV does not have HDMI ARC/eARC?
Check whether both devices have matching optical audio ports. If they do, connect the TV’s optical output to the sound bar’s optical input with an optical cable, then select the appropriate audio output and sound bar input. If there is no matching optical connection, check for compatible analog output and input jacks. Bluetooth is another possibility only if both manuals confirm compatible audio support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before buying a cable
- Read the model-specific manuals or inspect the devices for port labels; do not rely on the TV’s age, brand or the presence of HDMI alone.
- Confirm that the TV port is specifically marked ARC or eARC/ARC and that the sound bar has its matching TV ARC/eARC connection before buying an HDMI cable for this setup.
- For optical or analog audio, verify the exact output and input on both devices and that the cable ends match those jacks.
- Do not expect a cable to add a port or wireless audio function that one of the devices does not support.
This general guide cannot confirm compatibility for a particular pair of models. Consult both manuals or the manufacturers’ support pages for the supported audio functions and setup steps.
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