Connecting a BRAVIA TV with a Sound Bar and another input device using an optical digital audio cable

How to connect your TV with a Sound Bar and another input device (Blu-ray player, CATV tuner, game console, etc.) not compatible with eARC or ARC connection, using an optical digital audio cable and HDMI cables.

Sound Bar + TV + Another Audio device

1. Connect the TV, Sound Bar, and external input device with optical digital audio and HDMI cables

Connect your TV to the Sound Bar with an optical digital audio cable. If you want to adjust the volume of the Sound Bar with the BRAVIA TV remote control, connect it with an HDMI cable as well.

1. Use an optical digital audio cable to connect the Optical output terminal of the TV and the Optical input terminal of the Sound Bar.
2. Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI input terminals of the TV and the HDMI output terminals of the external input device.
3. If you want to adjust the volume of the Sound Bar with the BRAVIA TV remote control, use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI input terminals of the TV and the HDMI output terminals of the soundbar.
   
   • A: Sound Bar
   • B: HDMI cable (included with the Sound Bar or optional)
   • C: External input device (e.g.: Blu-ray player, CATV tuner, Game console)
   • D: HDMI cable (not supplied)
   • E: Optical digital audio cable (not supplied)

2. Set BRAVIA TV settings to output the sound from the Sound Bar

1. Open the Settings screen. How to access the Settings
   • If the remote control has a Quick Settings ( or ) button, press the Quick Settings button and select Settings.
   • If the remote control does not have a Quick Settings ( or ) button, press the HOME button and select Settings.
2. Select Display & Sound → Audio output → Speakers → Audio system.
   
3. Select your favorite program or external input with the TV remote control, and check if the sound is output from the Sound Bar.
   

Hints:

• When there is audio delay: If the sound of the connected device (Blu-ray Disc player, gaming console, etc.) is delayed with the above connection, it may be improved by changing the TV settings. For details, refer to the article When the Soundbar is connected to the TV, the sound of other connected devices (Blu-ray Disc™ player, Gaming console, etc.) is delayed. If the issue still persists after changing the settings, try the connection method below.

• When no audio is output depending on the audio format / When there is audio delay: If your Sound Bar has an HDMI input terminal, you can connect the external input device (Blu-ray Disc player, gaming console, etc.) directly to the Sound Bar instead of the TV.

  1. Use an optical digital audio cable to connect the Optical input terminal of the Sound Bar and the Optical output terminal of the TV.
  2. Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output terminal of the Sound Bar and the HDMI input terminal of the TV.
  3. Use another HDMI cable to connect the HDMI input terminal of the Sound Bar and the HDMI output terminal of the external input device.
     
     • A: Sound Bar
     • B: Optical digital audio cable (not supplied)
     • C: HDMI cable (included with the Sound Bar, or optional)
     • D: External input device (e.g.: Blu-ray player, CATV tuner, Game console)
     • E: HDMI cable (not supplied)

  Expected points with this connection:

  • Even if the TV does not support eARC, you may be able to output a higher quality audio format (such as Dolby Atmos) played on an external device with the Sound Bar.
    * The supported audio formats differ depending on the audio device. Please check the Sound Bar instruction manual or the manufacturer's specification page.
  • If you connect an external device and Sound Bar to your TV, and the Sound Bar sounds are delayed relative to the video, the symptom may improve.

  Notes with this connection:

  • Audio from system sounds and audio responses is not output.
  • For TVs with a built-in MIC, the voice recognition performance of the MIC may be degraded.