Buzz
An easy-to-follow guide for connecting your Vizio soundbar to your TV for superior audio quality.
Simple Steps
Using an SPDIF Cable
Unboxing Your Vizio Soundbar: Remove your soundbar from its packaging, ensuring you have all necessary cables, screws, mounts, and manuals.
Remove the protective plastic covering from both ends of your SPDIF cable. This ensures safe connection to both your TV and soundbar.
- SPDIF cables, also known as Toslink or fiber-optic cables, must be compatible with your connection type.
Attach one end of the cable to the 'OPTICAL' port located at the rear of your TV. The optical port is typically covered by a plastic door to prevent dust accumulation. Ensure a secure connection by firmly snapping the cable into place.
Connect the other end of the cable to the 'OPTICAL' port on your soundbar. This port should correspond to the one on your TV.
Power on your soundbar. Plug the power cable into a power outlet and press the Power button to activate the soundbar.
Choose the correct input source using your soundbar remote. Press the Input button on your soundbar remote and navigate using the arrow keys to select Optical, Toslink, or SPDIF as the input method.
Press the menu button on your soundbar remote control. This action will prompt the VIZIO menu to appear on your TV screen.
Navigate to the Audio section within the menu. This will grant access to your soundbar's audio settings.
Disable the TV Speakers option. Using your remote, select TV Speakers and then switch it off using the arrow keys.
- This action helps prevent echo caused by multiple audio sources.
Adjust the
Digital Audio Out setting to Bitstream or Dolby Digital. Access this setting in the Audio menu and change it to Bitstream or Dolby Digital using the arrow keys on your remote.
Using an RCA Cable
Remove your Vizio soundbar from its packaging. Ensure all included items such as cables, screws, mounts, and manuals are accounted for.
Locate the red-and-white RCA audio cable. This cable facilitates an analog sound connection.
Identify the 'AUDIO OUT' port on the rear of your TV. Look for a port with two red and white connectors labeled Audio Out.
Connect the red and white cables to their corresponding ports on your TV. Ensure the red end of the RCA cable is inserted into the red port and the white end into the white port.
Attach the other end of the cable to the red-and-white 'AUDIO IN' or 'AUX' port on your soundbar. This establishes an analog sound connection between your TV and soundbar.
Ensure your soundbar is powered up. Connect it to a power outlet using the power cable and press the Power button to activate it.
Set 'AUX' as your input source using your soundbar remote. Press the Input button on the remote and navigate to AUX using the arrow keys.
Access the VIZIO menu on your TV screen by pressing the menu key on your soundbar remote.
Open the Audio settings by selecting Audio in the menu.
Disable the TV Speakers setting. Use your remote to select TV Speakers and toggle it off using the arrow keys.
- This action prevents echo caused by multiple sound sources.
Adjust the Analog Audio Out setting to Fixed or Variable. Choose between these options based on your preference.
- When Variable is selected, your soundbar volume adjusts along with your TV volume.
- With Fixed, your soundbar volume remains constant, controlled separately from your TV.
Using HDMI ARC
Unbox your Vizio sound bar. Ensure all cables, screws, mounts, and manuals are included in the package.
Attach one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT (ARC) port on your sound bar. This establishes your sound connection via HDMI.
Connect the other end of the cable to the HDMI 1 (ARC) port on the rear of your TV. This enables your TV to transmit audio signals to the sound bar through the HDMI cable.
Power up your sound bar. Connect the power cable to the Power port located on the rear of your sound bar, then plug the cable into a power outlet.
Choose 'HDMI' as your input source using your soundbar remote. Press the Input button on the remote and navigate to HDMI using the arrow keys.
Using Bluetooth
Unbox your Vizio sound bar. Ensure all cables, screws, mounts, and manuals are present in the package.
Long-press the Bluetooth button located on the side of your soundbar. This action activates Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Alternatively, you can press the Bluetooth button on your remote control.
- If you own a VIZIO remote with an LED screen, access the MENU, locate the BT Pair option within your settings.
Ensure your TV's Bluetooth is enabled and set to discoverable mode. You'll need to access your TV's Bluetooth menu to pair it with your soundbar.
Choose your soundbar from your smart TV's Bluetooth pairing menu. While the Bluetooth pairing menu might differ slightly across various TVs, you typically just need to select your soundbar from your TV's Bluetooth device list.
Warnings
- If you're unsure about the ports on the back of your TV, refer to your TV's official manual or user guide before proceeding.
Tips
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Position your soundbar near ear level for optimal surround sound. Placing it beneath your TV enhances the immersive audio experience.
Expert Interview
Thank you for reading our article! For further insights into TV troubleshooting, delve into our comprehensive interview with Adam Paris.
