How to Connect a Vizio Soundbar to a TV

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A quick and easy guide to connect your Vizio soundbar for optimal sound on your TV
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This wikiHow teaches you how to set up a Vizio sound bar, and connect it to a TV set. You can use a variety of cables including a digital optical cable, coaxial cable, or an RCA cable, but HDMI is usually recommended as the best option. Some sound bars may also have a Bluetooth pairing feature, and allow you to set up a wireless connection.

Best Way to Pair a Vizio Soundbar to Your TV

Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT (ARC) port on your sound bar. This will allow you to set up your sound connection via HDMI. Connect the other end of the cable to the HDMI 1 (ARC) port on the back of your TV. This will allow your TV to send audio signals to the sound bar via the HDMI cable.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using a SPDIF Cable

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  1. Take your sound bar out of its original packaging, and make sure you have all the cables, screws, mounts, and manuals in the package.
  2. This will allow you to safely plug the cable into your TV and your soundbar.
    • SPDIF cables are also called Toslink or fiber-optic cables. Make sure you have the right cable for your connection type here.
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  3. There are usually plastic doors covering the optical port to keep the dust out. Make sure the cable snaps in firmly and connected.
  4. This should be the same port as the one on the back of your TV.
  5. Connect your soundbar to a power outlet with the power cable, and press the Power button to turn it on.
  6. Press the Input button on the soundbar remote, and use the arrow keys to select Optical , Toslink , or SPDIF .
  7. This will open the VIZIO menu on your TV screen.
  8. This will open your soundbar's audio settings.
  9. Select the TV Speakers option with your remote, and use the arrow keys on the remote to toggle it off.
    • This will prevent echo effect from multiple sound sources.
  10. Select this option on the Audio menu, and use the arrow keys on the remote to switch it to a different setting.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using an RCA Cable

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  1. Take your sound bar out of its original packaging, and make sure you have all the cables, screws, mounts, and manuals in the package.
  2. You can use this cable to set up an analog sound connection.
  3. This port should feature two red and white connectors labeled Audio Out on your TV.
  4. Make sure the red end of your RCA cable is plugged into the red port, and the white end into the white.
  5. This should establish an analog sound connection between your TV and your soundbar.
  6. Connect your soundbar to a power outlet with the power cable, and press the Power button to turn it on.
  7. Press the Input button on the soundbar remote, and use the arrow keys to select AUX.
  8. This will open the VIZIO menu on your TV screen.
  9. This will open your soundbar's audio settings.
  10. Select the TV Speakers option with your remote, and use the arrow keys on the remote to toggle it off.
    • This will prevent echo effect from multiple sound sources.
  11. You can switch between these two settings depending on your personal preference.
    • If you select Variable , the volume on your soundbar will automatically go up and down when you adjust your TV volume.
    • If you select Fixed , your soundbar volume will be controlled by your soundbar itself.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using HDMI ARC

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  1. Take your sound bar out of its original packaging, and make sure you have all the cables, screws, mounts, and manuals in the package.
  2. This will allow you to set up your sound connection via HDMI.
  3. This will allow your TV to send audio signals to the sound bar via the HDMI cable.
  4. Connect the power cable to the Power port on the back of your sound bar, and plug the cable into a power outlet.
  5. Press the Input button on the soundbar remote, and use the arrow keys to select HDMI.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Bluetooth

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  1. Take your sound bar out of its original packaging, and make sure you have all the cables, screws, mounts, and manuals in the package.
  2. This will put your soundbar in Bluetooth pairing mode.
    • Alternatively, you can press the Bluetooth button on your remote.
    • If you have the VIZIO remote with the LED screen, press MENU , and find the BT Pair option in your settings.
  3. You will have to use your TV's Bluetooth menu to pair it with your soundbar.
  4. The Bluetooth pairing menu may slightly vary between different TVs, but you will usually only need to select your soundbar on your TV's Bluetooth discovery list.
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      Warnings

      • If you're not sure about the ports on the back of your TV, make sure to check your TV's official manual or user guide before proceeding.
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      Tips

      • Position your soundbar close to the ear level. For the best surround sound experience, place your sound bar below your TV near the ear level.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about fixing your tv, check out our in-depth interview with Adam Paris .

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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Unpack your Vizio sound bar.
      2. Connect HDMI to the HDMI OUT (ARC) port on the sound bar.
      3. Connect the other end to the HDMI 1 (ARC) port on the TV.
      4. Connect your sound bar to power.
      5. Try a Bluetooth connection (optional).
      6. Place the sound bar close to the ear level.

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