Article ID : 00354575 / Last Modified : 06/05/2025

How to connect a BRAVIA TV, soundbar, and another input device using HDMI cables

How to use an HDMI cable to connect your TV, soundbar, and another input device (such as a Blu-ray Disc™ player, CATV tuner, or game console) that support an eARC or ARC connection.

Notes:

The terminal locations differ depending on your soundbar. Refer to the operating instructions for more information. Manuals, specifications, and warranty information for your Sony product are available online.
Depending on the model, it may be necessary to switch the soundbar settings to TV after connecting. For details on how to operate your soundbar, refer to the instruction manual.
If the soundbar comes with a subwoofer, avoid leaving items on top of the subwoofer. The subwoofer produces vibrations, so any items placed on top of it may fall off.
If your TV and soundbar have HDMI input terminals that support the Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) or Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature, those terminals will be labeled eARC or ARC.

Soundbar + TV + Another audio device

Check the HDMI terminal

Check if the HDMI output terminal of the soundbar bears text such as eARC/ARC or ARC, and then select one of the following:

Both TV and soundbar support eARC

If both the TV and soundbar are compatible with eARC, you can only connect the TV to the other devices using an HDMI cable.

Preparing the HDMI cables
We recommend connecting the devices using a cable that supports 18 Gbps transmission (Sony's optional or commercially available premium high-speed HDMI cable or ultra high-speed HDMI cable that supports 48 Gbps transmission). Audio can be output even with a normal high-speed (standard) HDMI cable, but if you connect an external input device that supports eARC and play a high-quality audio format (e.g. Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, or DTS HD Master Audio), there may be restrictions or the sound quality may deteriorate.
- A: 4.95Gbps or above (high-speed HDMI cable)
- B: 18Gbps (premium high-speed HDMI cable )
- C: 48Gbps (ultra high-speed HDMI cable)
Connect the TV, soundbar, and external input device using HDMI cables
A BRAVIA TV has multiple HDMI terminals, but not all HDMI terminals support eARC. You can check which terminal is compatible with eARC by checking the text of the HDMI terminal on the TV. Below is an example of a terminal: HDMI input 3 is eARC / ARC-compatible, while HDMI inputs 4 and 2 are not compatible.

Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI 3 terminal and eARC-compatible output terminal of the soundbar.
１. Connect the HDMI (eARC) input terminal of the TV and the HDMI (eARC) output terminal of the soundbar with an HDMI cable.
２. Connect the HDMI input terminal of the TV and the HDMI (eARC) output terminal of the external input device with an HDMI cable.
- A: Soundbar
- B: HDMI cable (included with the soundbar or optional)
- C: External input device (Blu-ray Disc™ player, CATV tuner, or game console)
- D: HDMI cable (not supplied)
Set the BRAVIA TV settings to output the sound from the soundbar
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. After completing Step 2 above, if the screen automatically returns to the Audio output settings screen, please perform one of the following settings depending on your model.
  Note: If the screen does not return to the Audio output settings screen after Step 2, please press the back button on the remote control and then choose one of the following settings according to your model:
  - Select Audio system settings → eARC settings → Auto.
  - Select eARC mode or eARC setting → Auto.
  Notes:
  - You cannot select eARC mode if the text-to-speech function for on-screen text within the TV’s accessibility features is enabled.
  - By enabling the eARC mode function, some functions may be restricted as shown below.
    - Audio from system sounds (when pressing the remote control buttons) and audio responses are not output.
    - The voice recognition performance of the built-in MIC may degrade (only TVs with a built-in MIC).
Enable eARC on the soundbar
Depending on the audio device, eARC may already be turned on at the time of purchase, and setting it may not be required. To check the settings, refer to the instruction manual of your soundbar.
Select your favourite programme or external input with the TV remote control, and check if the sound is output from the soundbar.

Hints:

When there is an 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 and connection method. For details on the settings, refer to this article: When the soundbar is connected to the TV, the sound of other connected devices (Blu-ray Disc™ player, gaming console, etc.) is delayed.
Connecting an external input device directly to the soundbar: If your soundbar has an HDMI Input terminal, you can also connect an external input device (such as a Blu-ray Disc™ player or gaming console) directly to the soundbar instead of your TV. 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 input device with the soundbar. For more information on how to connect, refer to this article: Connecting BRAVIA to an external device via the soundbar using HDMI (ARC / eARC) cables.

Note: The supported audio formats differ depending on the audio device. Please check the soundbar instruction manual or the manufacturer's specification page.

Only the TV or soundbar supports eARC, or both do not support eARC (but do support ARC)

If both the TV and soundbar are compatible with ARC, you can only connect the TV to the other devices using an HDMI cable.

Connect the TV, soundbar, and external input device using HDMI cables
A BRAVIA TV has multiple HDMI terminals, but not all HDMI terminals support ARC. You can check which terminal is compatible with ARC by checking the text of the HDMI terminal on the TV. Below is an example of a terminal: HDMI input 3 is ARC-compatible, while HDMI inputs 4 and 2 are not compatible.

Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI 3 terminal and the ARC-compatible output terminal of the soundbar.
１. Connect the HDMI (ARC) input terminal of the TV and HDMI (ARC) output terminal of the soundbar with an HDMI cable.
２. Connect the HDMI input terminal of the TV and HDMI (ARC) output terminal of the external input device with an HDMI cable.
- A: Soundbar
- B: HDMI cable (included with the soundbar or optional)
- C: External input devices (Blu-ray Disc™ player, CATV tuner, or game console)
- D: HDMI cable (not supplied)
Set the BRAVIA TV settings to output the sound from the soundbar
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.
Select your favourite programme or external input with the TV remote control, and check if the sound is output from the soundbar.

Hints:

When there is an 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 and connection method. For details on the settings, refer to this article: When the soundbar is connected to the TV, the sound of other connected devices (Blu-ray Disc™ player, gaming console etc.) is delayed.
Connecting an external input device directly to the soundbar: If your soundbar has an HDMI Input terminal, you can also connect an external input device (such as a Blu-ray Disc™ player or gaming console) directly to the soundbar instead of your TV. 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 input device with the soundbar. For more information on how to connect, refer to this article: Connecting BRAVIA to an external device via the soundbar using HDMI (ARC / eARC) cables.

Note: The supported audio formats differ depending on the audio device. Please check the soundbar instruction manual or the manufacturer's specification page.

Not compatible with eARC or ARC, or only one of the devices (TV or soundbar) is compatible with ARC (not compatible with eARC)

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