How to connect Philips soundbar to TV with optical cable

Subscribe to our newsletter

* This field is mandatory

Receive $30 off** your first purchase on the Philips Online Shop

Early access to exclusive offers

Be the first to hear about new products and sales

I would like to receive promotional communications – based on my preferences and behavior – about Philips products, services, events and promotions. I can easily unsubscribe at any time!

Philips values and respects your privacy. Please read the Privacy Notice for more information
**Terms & conditions apply

When looking at how to set up a soundbar to a Philips TV, the many different connection methods and elaborate instructions can make it confusing. To get you set up in no time, our experts have put together a clear cut guide on how to connect soundbar to Philips TV.

How to Connect Soundbar to Philips TV

Different Connection Options

There are three main connection options when connecting your soundbar to a Philips TV -— HDMI, digital optical and RCA analog.

HDMI and digital optical cables can relay digital content, which is the quality of most movies and TV shows we have today. Digital cable connections are also necessary to process advanced audio technology such as Dolby [1] and DTS.

RCA analog is an option on your Philips TV that can accommodate devices that are more dated or do not have HDMI or digital optical cables. One thing to note is that RCA connection is analog, meaning it does not have the capacity to process digital content.

If you are looking forward to experiencing surround sound with Dolby Atmos or DTS Virtual:X, our experts suggest bypassing the analog connection and using digital optical or HDMI, the latter being the preferred method.

Connecting Using HDMI Arc

To connect your soundbar to your Philips TV via the HDMI ARC, insert one end of the HDMI ARC cable into the port labeled HDMI ARC on the back of your TV and the other end into the corresponding port on the back of your soundbar.

How to connect Philips soundbar to TV with optical cable

Once the connection is tightly secured, press the “Arc” button on your soundbar remote. For some Philips TVs, you may need to also change audio sources if automatic detection doesn’t occur. To do this, go to “Menu”, then “Setup” and select “TV Settings”. Press “Sound”, select “Advanced” and then turn the HDMI on.

Connecting through Digital Audio Out

For how to connect soundbar to Philips TV through digital audio output, insert one end of the cable to the “Digital Out” on the back of your TV and the other end into the back of the soundbar. Once you have made sure that the connections are secure, switch on your TV and switch the audio settings.

The audio settings can be customized on your TV by going to “Menu”, then “Setup” and select “TV Settings”. Then, press “Sound” and select “Advanced” and select the right source.

Depending on your soundbar, you may also need to switch to the digital audio source by selecting it on the menu or by pressing the “Source” button on the remote.

Sound Settings

To adjust the sound settings on your soundbar, the remote should give you access to sound modes. You can press “Settings” then “Sound” and customize the settings from there.

As for adjusting the sound settings on your Philips TV, press the “Menu” button, then head to the “TV Settings” and look for “Sound Settings”. Once you have entered into that part of the menu, you can then control the bass, treble and equalizer, among others, depending on your TV model.

FAQ

How do I connect my soundbar to my Philips Smart TV?

You can connect your soundbar to your Philips Smart TV by using the HDMI or digital optical cables. HDMI is the better option as it supports higher quality audio and is known for its simple setup and elevated audio processing.

What soundbar is compatible with Philips TV?

Soundbars compatible with Philips TVs include Phillips soundbars as well as soundbars from Yamaha, Bose, Sonos, Samsung, Sony and LG. Our experts suggest going with soundbars from the same brand as your TV to ensure full compatibility.

How to connect Speakers to Philips Smart TV?

You can connect your speakers to Philips Smart TV by RCA cables or using HDMI or digital optical cables, if applicable. Locate the correct ports on the back of both devices and insert one end of the cable into each port.

Conclusion

Our experts have done extensive testing on how to connect soundbar to Philips TV and suggest HDMI as the simplest and best option. If your soundbar or TV does not support HDMI, then digital optical is your next best option. 

Why is my soundbar not working with optical cable?

Make sure the home theater or stereo system is set to the appropriate input and mode for the optical connection. Make sure the optical cable is firmly connected to both the TV and the home theater or stereo system. Try changing the channel on the TV to another digital broadcast.

How do I pair my Philips soundbar to my TV?

To connect, insert the HDMI cable in the TV HDMI port labeled HDMI ARC. Your TVs HDMI ARC port may be labeled differently. Refer to your TV owners manual for HDMI ARC and CEC operation of your TV. Press the ARC button on the Sound Bar remote to select the ARC input.

How do I get my soundbar to turn on with my optical TV?

If your soundbar and Samsung TV are connected by an optical cable, Auto Power Link will turn your soundbar on automatically when you turn on the TV..
Connect your soundbar to your TV with an optical cable. ... .
Set the soundbar to D.IN mode by pressing Source on the remote or soundbar..