How to Connect Your PC or TV to a Soundbar Using HDMI for the Best Sound

How to Connect Your PC or TV to a Soundbar Using HDMI for the Best Sound

Connecting a soundbar can be simple—but first, identify which ports your devices have.

Not every soundbar supports HDMI, and ports that look similar may serve completely different purposes.

Step 1: Check Your Connection Options

Look at the back or side of your TV, PC and soundbar for these labels:

  • HDMI eARC
  • HDMI ARC
  • HDMI IN
  • Optical
  • AUX
  • Bluetooth

For the best sound and most reliable connection, use HDMI when both devices support it.

Important: A rectangular USB-A port can sometimes be mistaken for HDMI. Do not force a cable into a port. Check the label or the device manual first.

Not sure what ports you have? Upload a clear photo of the ports or provide the device model numbers to an AI assistant, then verify the answer using the manufacturer’s manual.

Best Setup: TV to Soundbar Using HDMI eARC

Connect the port labeled HDMI eARC on the TV to the port labeled HDMI eARC/ARC on the soundbar.

TV HDMI eARC  ─────────  Soundbar HDMI eARC/ARC

What does eARC do?

eARC allows the TV to send high-quality sound back to the soundbar through the HDMI cable.

This includes sound from:

  • TV streaming apps
  • A PC connected to the TV
  • Gaming consoles
  • Streaming devices
  • Cable boxes

eARC has more audio bandwidth than standard ARC and is the preferred option for advanced audio formats.

Connecting a PC

For most systems, connect the PC to the TV first:


PC HDMI OUT  →  TV HDMI IN

TV HDMI eARC  →  Soundbar HDMI eARC/ARC

The PC sends video and audio to the TV. The TV then sends the audio to the soundbar.

A PC may connect directly to a soundbar only when the soundbar has a separate port labeled HDMI IN:


PC HDMI OUT  →  Soundbar HDMI IN  →  TV

Do not connect the PC directly to the soundbar’s ARC/eARC port unless the soundbar manufacturer specifically instructs you to do so.

For Dolby Atmos, Every Part Must Support It

Dolby Atmos depends on the complete connection:


Content + Source Device + TV + HDMI Cable + Soundbar

All relevant devices must support the required audio format.

An HDMI cable cannot add Dolby Atmos to devices that do not support it. However, the cable must have enough bandwidth to carry the signal reliably.

For eARC, Dolby Atmos and modern high-resolution video, an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable is the safest choice.

No HDMI ?

Use the best available alternative:

  1. Optical
  2. AUX
  3. Bluetooth

Optical is generally reliable but has less audio capability than eARC. Bluetooth is convenient but may introduce audio delay.

Quick Troubleshooting

Problem Check this
No sound Select HDMI ARC/eARC or External Speakers in the TV settings
PC has video but no sound Select the HDMI device in the computer’s sound settings
No Dolby Atmos Confirm that the content, devices and cable support it
Sound cuts out Check the HDMI cable and reconnect both ends
Cable does not fit Confirm that the port is HDMI and not USB-A
Remote does not control volume Enable HDMI-CEC in the TV settings

Choosing an HDMI Cable

For a dependable eARC connection, use a cable designed to support the bandwidth required by your TV, soundbar and video equipment.

The Pacroban Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable supports:

  • HDMI eARC
  • Dolby Atmos-compatible signal transmission
  • 8K at 60Hz
  • 4K at 144Hz
  • HDR
  • High-bandwidth audio and video

Shop the Pacroban Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

Final Check

Before connecting anything:

  1. Identify the ports on both devices.
  2. Connect matching ARC or eARC ports between the TV and soundbar.
  3. Connect a PC to the TV’s HDMI input, or to a separate soundbar HDMI IN port.
  4. Select the correct sound output in the device settings.
  5. Confirm that every device supports the audio format you want.


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