If you don’t plan to connect the soundbar to the TV without an HDMI port or do not have a connection using optical cables or HDMI, you might need to search options.
Perhaps if your soundbar does not come with cables, then you must be wondering how to connect a soundbar to the TV without an HDMI port.
Having such connections does offer the advantages of a high-definition sound experience. It might be so that you have an old TV, or it offers a downgraded audio experience.
If we talk about current times, the most famous method of connecting home theatre soundbars or TV is using HDMI ARC, also known as an audio return channel. But if your TV does not have an HDMI port, then you need to seek different options.
So it’s best to know how to connect a soundbar to the TV without an HDMI port.
There are several ways to avoid optical connections or HDMI. You can choose wireless connections like Bluetooth, RCA cables, 3.5mm Aux cable, or an auxiliary device that helps convert the coaxial cable to other connections.
Wireless connections:
You might need to brainstorm for finding ways to connect a soundbar to the TV without an HDMI port. The stunning alternative to the HDMI ports is that you can choose wireless connections like wifi or Bluetooth.
These preserves surround sound plus offer a high definition sound experience, which you might expect from optical or HDMI cables. It serves as an excellent solution for buyers who don’t like any wires as they collect dust behind the TV console.
Several soundbars and TV configurations can impact how you connect with the TV. However, some TV’s come with wifi and Bluetooth capability, while for others, you need adapters.
3.5mm output jack:
If your TV does not feature any wifi capability, it’s best to look for the 3.5mm output jack in your TV. This connection is similar to the one which is used for headphones. Just plug one end in the TV and then another end in the soundbar.
AUX or RCA cables:
If the soundbar does not feature 3.5mm input, you can invest in AUX or RCA cables that are inexpensive and come at cost-effective prices. Plus, they split all stereo signals between the dual RCA cables.
The drawback of utilizing this method for performing connections between soundbars and TV is that it allows you to only indulge in right or left sounds. Thus, if your soundbars are 3.0 or above, you might not be able to indulge in the sound quality you expect.
With the modern TVs in the market, most of them serve as a central connection hub between the TV and speakers’ output and input simultaneously. But the older TVs were designed in such a way that they served as receivers only.
You had to add the speakers, which means you need to invest more money for splitting signals before they reach the TV. Similar to 3.5mm cables, this RCA cable also comes with right and left outputs.
Plus, you can be creative using the center channel of 3.0 and 3.1 soundbars.
There are five channels for some RC cable output where you can hook up the center, left, right, and front jacks with the soundbar. However, sound Bars are so stunning and offer extreme audio quality, which means you don’t need to enable the default speakers in your TV.
Most of the soundbars in the market come with three speaker channels or more than that, which means they can only connect using optical, HDMI ports, or wireless features.
Check if your TV and soundbar come with analog connections. They have ports that are easily visible and are color-coded in red and white color for audio. If they both are compatible, connect the cables from the TV to the soundbar.
If the TV and soundbar come with the AUX ports, you need male-to-male AUX cords. Plug one side in the TV and the other end into the soundbar port.
Read Also: Soundbars vs Speakers
Using Coaxial inputs:
Most TVs in the market have wireless options or a 3.5mm output jack that also come with HDMI and optical ports. There were older TVs in the market that only featured coaxial inputs and RCA. If the TVs have RCA cables only, the soundbars are capable of handling two-channel RCA configurations.
Plus, you need to ensure whether the TV comes with the RCA ports, the output ports rather than the input ports. If your TV only features input ports, you might need to split the signals before they reach the TV.
The only way to perform this is to connect yellow video cables to the TV and then connect red and white audio cables within the soundbar.
You can also use an adapter that converts RCA into HDMI, but with this method, you won’t be able to get real high-definition signals.
There are no such RCA connections with older TVs because they were meant to allow you to watch cable TV.
In the past, you had to invest in an auxiliary piece which used to be placed between TV and cable service. This connection is termed a coaxial connection. The jack is slightly raised with a hole in between, making it look similar to a nut having a wire in between.
You might need a DVD player or a VCR to use this connection, which helps splitting signals. VCR was, however, used in the past days, but the DVD player is a less outdated product that can be used for playing discs.
For connecting coaxial cables, plug in this cable within the DVD player’s output or VCR and the TV input. Now connect audio output, which is RCA jacks in soundbars.
The DVD players or VCRs come with RCA inputs and coaxial cables. If you are using this configuration, you need to use such equipment remotely to switch between the input sources.
This connection can also be achieved using adapters or splitters, but it is such a daunting task. For example, suppose you plan on going from HDMI to the coaxial cables.
In that case, getting an HDMI splitter is the right choice where you can place one end in HDMI to the coaxial converter, which allows sending coaxial signals with the TV and then directly within the soundbar.
Most converters need an external power source to create a mess of massive cables and plugs with the power strip.
Optical cables:
This is another option to connect the TV with the soundbar without the HDMI ports. Most of the TVs in the market come with a labeled port of digital audio output. Check whether the soundbar comes with a parallel port.
If both devices are compatible, then connect each other with an optical cable. Other than that, you might need to alter the TV’s audio source, but if there is no need, then the soundbar must produce efficient quality sound. Most buyers love this method as there is no interference in sound quality.
Final Verdict:
No matter which configuration is present in your TV and soundbars, you’ll end up connecting the TV with the soundbar with your creativity. Indulge in top-notch sound quality using the soundbars, which connect well with your TV even without the HDMI port.
If the TV and soundbars both feature Bluetooth technology, you can easily pair them and transfer audio wirelessly without any wires. Several soundbars in the market feature built-in Bluetooth technology, but older TVs lack such features.
Have fun while listening to top-notch sound quality with the best features in your TV other than the HDMI ports, which allows you to indulge in a cinematic experience.
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