How To Connect A New Soundbar To An Old TV

Connecting a new soundbar to an old TV is often straightforward, but it can require some additional adapters or workarounds if your TV doesn’t have modern audio output ports. Below are the steps to help you connect your soundbar to an older television, ensuring you get the best possible audio quality.

1. Check the Available Audio Outputs on Your TV

First, you need to determine what kind of audio output your TV supports. Older TVs typically have one or more of the following outputs:

• 3.5mm headphone jack (analog audio out)
• RCA audio output (red and white composite connectors)
• Optical digital audio output (TOSLINK)
• Coaxial digital audio output
• HDMI (ARC) — this is a rare feature on older TVs but worth checking.

2. Determine the Inputs on Your Soundbar

Your soundbar will likely have one or more of these input options:

• HDMI (ARC or regular HDMI)
• Optical input (TOSLINK)
• AUX (3.5mm) input
• RCA input (red and white)

3. Select the Best Connection Method

The goal is to choose the best audio connection that both your TV and soundbar support. Here are your options:

Option 1: Using HDMI (ARC)

If your soundbar and TV both support HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), this is the best option since it provides high-quality audio and supports automatic volume control and power synchronization between the TV and the soundbar.

Steps:

1. Connect the HDMI cable: Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC port on your TV (usually labeled “HDMI ARC” or “HDMI Out”).
2. Connect the other end: Plug the other end into the HDMI ARC port on your soundbar.
3. Enable ARC settings: On your TV, go to the audio settings and enable the HDMI ARC feature (you may need to enable CEC as well to allow automatic control between devices).
4. Select the soundbar as the audio output device: On your TV, set the sound output to external speakers or HDMI ARC.

Option 2: Using Optical Cable (TOSLINK)

If your TV and soundbar both support optical audio, this is a good alternative to HDMI ARC and offers high-quality digital sound.

Steps:

1. Connect the optical cable: Plug one end of the optical cable into the optical output on your TV (labeled “Optical Out” or “Digital Audio Out”).
2. Connect the other end: Plug the other end into the optical input on your soundbar.
3. Set TV audio to optical output: On your TV, navigate to audio settings and select Optical or Digital Audio Out as the output source.
4. Adjust soundbar settings: Ensure the soundbar is set to the correct input (optical).

Option 3: Using RCA (Red and White) Cables

For older TVs that lack digital outputs, RCA cables (red and white) are a simple way to connect a soundbar. This is an analog connection, so the sound quality won’t be as high as optical or HDMI, but it still works.

Steps:

1. Connect RCA cables: Plug the red and white RCA cables into the audio output ports (red for right, white for left) on your TV.
2. Connect the other end: Plug the other ends into the RCA input on your soundbar.
3. Set TV audio to RCA output: On your TV, go to audio settings and select External speakers or Audio Out (RCA).
4. Adjust soundbar settings: Make sure the soundbar is set to the RCA input.

Option 4: Using AUX (3.5mm Jack)

If your TV only has a 3.5mm headphone jack, you can use a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable to connect it to the soundbar if it has an AUX input.

Steps:

1. Connect the 3.5mm cable: Plug one end of the 3.5mm cable into the headphone jack or 3.5mm audio out on your TV.
2. Connect the other end: Plug the other end into the AUX input on the soundbar.
3. Adjust soundbar settings: Make sure the soundbar is set to the AUX input.

Option 5: Using a Coaxial Cable

If your TV and soundbar support coaxial digital audio, this is another way to connect them, although it’s less common than HDMI or optical.

Steps:

1. Connect the coaxial cable: Plug one end of the coaxial cable into the coaxial audio output on your TV.
2. Connect the other end: Plug the other end into the coaxial input on your soundbar.
3. Adjust settings: On your TV, select coaxial output in the audio settings and ensure the soundbar is set to receive audio through coaxial.

4. Adjust Audio Settings on Your TV

After you connect the soundbar, adjust the audio output settings on your TV:

• Navigate to Settings > Sound > Audio Output or similar settings.
• Set the TV to output sound through the connected device (either HDMI, Optical, RCA, etc.).
• Ensure the TV volume is set to the appropriate level, and mute the TV’s built-in speakers if necessary.

5. Adjust Soundbar Settings

• Once the connection is made, you may need to select the appropriate input source on your soundbar (HDMI, Optical, RCA, AUX, etc.) based on the type of connection you used.
• If your soundbar has a remote, use it to adjust the settings for volume, sound modes, and other features.

6. Test the Sound

Turn on both the TV and the soundbar, and check the audio output. If you don’t hear sound from the soundbar, double-check the cable connections and audio settings on both the TV and soundbar.

Conclusion

Connecting a new soundbar to an old TV is possible with the right cables and settings. The best options are typically HDMI ARC and optical, but older TVs with limited audio outputs can still work with RCA or AUX connections. By carefully selecting the appropriate connection type and adjusting your settings, you can enjoy better sound quality from your soundbar even with older television models.