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You do not need HDMI ARC to send your TV’s sound to a receiver, soundbar, or older home-theater system. If both devices have matching optical ports, that is usually the simplest alternative. Digital coaxial is another good wired option; RCA/AUX suits older stereo equipment; Bluetooth is convenient; and direct HDMI routing or an audio extractor solves more difficult setups.
Start by checking the labels on both devices. A standard HDMI input does not automatically send TV audio to a receiver: the TV port must support ARC/eARC, or you need one of the alternatives below.
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Quick comparison
| Connection | Required ports | Typical capability | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical/TOSLINK | TV optical out and receiver optical in | PCM stereo; some compressed 5.1 | Most general-purpose setups | No HDMI-CEC control or modern lossless formats |
| Digital coaxial | Matching S/PDIF coaxial ports | Similar to optical | Systems without optical | Uncommon on newer TVs |
| RCA/AUX | Analog audio out and RCA/AUX in | Usually stereo | Older receivers | No discrete surround |
| Bluetooth | TV Bluetooth audio output and compatible receiver | Usually compressed stereo | Wireless convenience | Possible delay and pairing problems |
| Direct HDMI/extractor | HDMI source and compatible receiver or extractor | Depends on the equipment | External sources or TVs with no audio output | More compatibility variables |
1. Use an optical/TOSLINK cable
Optical is the best default when both the TV and home-theater system have compatible ports. Look for labels such as Optical Out, Digital Audio Out, TOSLINK, or S/PDIF on the TV, and Optical In, Digital In, or TV Audio on the receiver or soundbar. Sony documents optical as a standard TV-to-audio-system connection and recommends PCM when necessary: Sony support guidance.
- Remove the protective caps from the optical cable.
- Connect the TV’s optical output to the receiver’s or soundbar’s optical input.
- Select Optical, Digital In, or TV Audio on the audio system.
- Open the TV’s sound settings and select Optical, Digital Audio Out, External Speaker, or the equivalent label.
- Set the digital output to PCM first if there is no sound or the receiver cannot decode the signal.
Optical is digital, simple, and generally less susceptible to analog hum. Depending on the TV, source, and receiver, it may carry compressed 5.1 formats such as Dolby Digital. It cannot carry every modern multichannel format, however, and it does not provide HDMI-style power or volume control.
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- 【HDMI Audio Extractor】The HDMI audio extractor can extract audio from HDMI signal and transmit it to AV receiver through optical or 3.5mm Cable.(Note: Devices do not support ARC and eARC.TV is not supported as the input source，otherwise product doesn't p video.)
- 【3 modes】2.0CH, 5.1CH and PASS mode. Select 3.5mm stereo output, please use 2.0CH mode. Select optical output, please use 5.1CH mode. When you use the first and two modes and find that no audio and video signal is output, use the pass mode.
- 【4K Ultra-HD with HDMI 1.4V】HDMI audio converter up to 10.2G bandwidth, support HDCP1.4,4K@30Hz RGB / YUV4:4:4 Ultra high definition image quality. The optical output supports DTS 5.1. The 3.5mm output supports PCM2.0. The audio splitter does not support 7.1 channels.Note: Fire TV, Apple TV, PS4/5 etc. only support 1080p format signals and do not support 4K
- 【Low energy consumption】HDMI audio splitter has a low energy consumption,only requires the USB port to be connected to the 5V-USB port of another device to work. Or use your other 5V-USB power adapter
- 【Wide Compatibility & Plug and Play】Suitable for various HDMI source devices without dedicated audio output as well as Blu-ray/ DVD/ HD player, cable/satellite box, Amazon Fire TV, PS4,PS5, Xbox, PC/laptop etc
Some TVs do not pass audio from every HDMI-connected source through their optical output. If a console or streaming player fails while live TV or a built-in app works, connect that source directly to the receiver or use an HDMI extractor. Sony describes this limitation and the direct-source workaround here: Sony source-routing guidance.
2. Try digital coaxial/S/PDIF
Digital coaxial is a useful alternative when both devices have matching coaxial S/PDIF ports. The jack is usually a single orange or black RCA-style connector labelled Coaxial Digital Out, Digital Out, or S/PDIF.
Do not confuse it with the two red-and-white analog RCA connectors. Digital coaxial carries a digital signal through one jack; analog RCA carries separate left and right stereo channels. Philips distinguishes these connection types in its TV audio guidance: Philips support.
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- Select that input on the receiver.
- Set the TV’s audio output to external/digital audio.
- Choose PCM first, then test a compatible compressed-surround setting if required.
Coaxial S/PDIF has broadly similar format and bandwidth limits to optical. It also does not provide HDMI-CEC control.
3. Connect RCA or AUX for older equipment
Analog RCA or 3.5-mm AUX is the practical choice for an older stereo receiver or home-theater system with no digital input. Possible connections include:
- TV red-and-white Audio Out to receiver red-and-white audio input
- TV 3.5-mm headphone/AUX output to receiver RCA input
- TV 3.5-mm output to a soundbar’s AUX input
Confirm that the TV connectors are outputs. Red-and-white sockets may instead be inputs, so look for Audio Out, Line Out, or Headphone Out.
Rank #2
- Supported Resolution: Video Pass-through Up to 4K @ 50/60Hz (YUV4:4:4), DOES NOT SUPPORT 1440@120hz, 4K @ 30Hz, 1080P @ 120Hz and 1080P 3D @ 60Hz. Supported Audio: LPCM 2/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X.
- Supports HDMI High Bit Rate(HBR) audio pass through & CEC Bypass| HDMI 2.b (18Gbps), HDCP 2.2 and DVI compliant, NO ARC SUPPORT. The device comes with a dual voltage supply using a US plug, and an adapter/converter is provided for international use
- Dolby Digital & DTS Support – Supports LPCM 2CH, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS audio formats via optical output. Enjoy reliable surround sound performance for home theater systems
- 18Gbps Bandwidth with HDR Pass-Through – Maintains full 4K Ultra HD resolution with 10-bit HDR support. Ensures no video degradation while splitting audio from your HDMI source
- Wide Compatibility & Plug-and-Play – Compatible with Blu-ray players, PS5, Xbox, PCs, streaming devices like Apple TV, Fire TV Stick,and Roku.HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 2.2 compliant with a durable metal housing for home or commercial AV setups
- Connect the TV output to an available analog input on the receiver.
- Select that input on the receiver.
- Choose Audio Out, Headphones, External Speakers, or the corresponding TV setting.
- Set the volume using the TV, receiver, or both according to the output type.
Analog TV outputs are normally stereo, not discrete 5.1 surround. A fixed-level line output may require the receiver’s remote, while a headphone output may respond to the TV’s volume controls and may disable the built-in speakers. LG and Philips both identify RCA as a suitable analog connection for compatible equipment: LG support and Philips support.
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4. Use Bluetooth
Bluetooth can connect a compatible TV to a soundbar, speaker, receiver, or external Bluetooth receiver without a cable. The TV must support Bluetooth audio transmission; having Bluetooth for keyboards or remote controls does not guarantee that it can send television sound.
- Put the receiver, soundbar, or speaker into pairing mode.
- Open the TV’s Bluetooth or Sound Output menu.
- Select the audio device and confirm that Bluetooth audio is active.
- Use the TV or receiver’s lip-sync adjustment if voices do not match the picture.
Bluetooth is convenient but is usually not the first choice for a full surround setup. Compression, pairing failures, automatic reconnection problems, and lip-sync delay are possible. If the TV has no Bluetooth audio output, add a Bluetooth transmitter connected to its optical, RCA, or headphone output. Use a transmitter to send audio; a Bluetooth receiver performs the reverse job by receiving wireless audio and providing an analog output. TCL notes that selecting the correct audio output manually is often necessary: TCL troubleshooting guidance.
5. Route the source directly or add an HDMI audio extractor
Option A: Source to receiver, then TV
For a game console, streaming player, cable box, or Blu-ray player, connect the source’s HDMI output to an HDMI input on the receiver or soundbar. Then connect the receiver or soundbar’s HDMI output to a regular HDMI input on the TV.
Source device HDMI out → receiver/soundbar HDMI in
receiver/soundbar HDMI out → TV HDMI inThe receiver handles the source audio while the TV receives the picture. This is often better than relying on the TV’s optical output, particularly when the TV does not pass HDMI-source audio through that jack. Roku shows this source-to-audio-system-to-TV arrangement in its surround-sound setup guidance: Roku support.
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An HDMI extractor separates audio from an HDMI signal while passing video to the TV. The usual wiring is:
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- 4K@30Hz HDMI to HDMI audio extractor converter box in durable metal housing
- Supports HDMI source devices without dedicated audio output
- Supports two channel left-right or SPDIF stereo output and uncompressed and compressed audio
- Supports up to 4k video resolution; 8-bit 4K (30 Hz), 12-bit 1080p (60 Hz), or 12-bit 720p/1080i (60 Hz), plus 3D formats
- Compatible with devices such as Blue-ray, DVD/HD/DVR players, cable/satellite, PS3/4, Xbox, PC/laptop, HD cameras and more
Source HDMI → extractor HDMI input
extractor HDMI output → TV
extractor optical/RCA/3.5-mm output → receiver or soundbarThis is useful when the TV has no ARC and no suitable audio output, or when one external source needs to feed an older receiver. Some extractors offer optical and 3.5-mm outputs with selectable stereo or digital modes, but capabilities vary; see this documented extractor example.
Check more than the product’s “4K” label. For gaming or HDR video, verify support for the required resolution and refresh rate, HDR or Dolby Vision, HDCP, VRR, ALLM, and audio formats. A basic extractor may pass 4K video but fail at 4K/120, HDR, VRR, or protected content. An extractor also handles the connected HDMI source, not automatically every built-in TV app.
Which method should you choose?
- Optical on both devices: use optical first.
- Matching digital coaxial ports: use coaxial S/PDIF.
- Only analog inputs on the receiver: use RCA/AUX, or an optical-to-analog DAC if the TV has optical out.
- Bluetooth-capable TV and audio system: use Bluetooth when convenience matters more than latency and surround.
- No useful TV audio output: connect the source directly to the receiver, or use an HDMI extractor.
Optical TV to RCA-only receiver
You need a powered optical-to-analog DAC:
TV optical out → optical-to-analog DAC → red/white RCA receiver inputSet the TV to PCM unless the converter explicitly supports Dolby or DTS decoding. A basic stereo DAC cannot turn Dolby Digital into discrete surround. Panasonic recommends this type of optical-to-stereo converter for receivers without an optical input: Panasonic support.
Surround sound, volume control, and TV speakers
Surround sound
Optical and coaxial can carry stereo PCM and, on compatible equipment, some compressed 5.1 formats. RCA/AUX is normally stereo. Bluetooth should not be treated as an equivalent to a wired discrete home-theater connection. Direct HDMI and extractors depend on the source, receiver, extractor, and supported formats.
Modern lossless surround and many advanced Atmos configurations generally require suitable HDMI routing, ARC/eARC, or direct HDMI connections. Optical is not automatically “better” than HDMI; it is simply often easier when ARC is unavailable. Samsung describes optical as limited to formats up to 5.1 channels: Samsung support.
Remote volume control
Optical and coaxial do not normally provide HDMI-CEC volume control. Fixed-level RCA outputs may require the receiver’s remote, while headphone outputs may be variable. Bluetooth behavior differs by model. Direct HDMI may support receiver control if compatible HDMI-CEC features are enabled, but it is not universal.
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- 8K HDMI Audio Extractor: Designed to extract audio from any HDMI-compliant source and convert it to Optical (S/PDIF) or high-quality stereo 3.5mm audio output. Input: 1× HDMI | Output: 1× HDMI ARC, 1× L/R Audio Out, 1× Optical Out (S/PDIF).
- DOES NOT SUPPORT eARC: Supports video pass-through up to 8K @ 50/60Hz, 4K @ 120Hz (YUV 4:4:4), 4K @ 30Hz, 1080P @ 120Hz, and 1080P 3D @ 60Hz. HDMI 2.1 protocols supported — ALLM, QMS, QFT, SBTM, HLG Pass-through, Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR+. Supported Audio: LPCM 2/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X.
- High Bandwidth & ARC Support: Supports 48 Gbps FRL and 18 Gbps TMDS video bandwidth. Features HDMI High Bit Rate (HBR) audio pass-through and CEC bypass. HDMI 2.1 | HDCP 2.3 | DVI Compliant | Supports ARC. NOTE: Volume cannot be controlled using the TV’s remote. The device comes with a dual voltage supply using a US plug, and an adapter/converter is provided for international use.
- HDMI 2.1 Cable Required: HDMI Input supports Computer, Laptop, PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox, Blu-ray DVD Player, and STB devices. HDMI Video Output supports Projectors, HDTVs, Monitors, and Screens. Heavy-duty metal enclosure ensures efficient heat dissipation and durability; compact size allows easy plug-and-play installation.
- Package Includes: 100-240V 50/60 Hz auto-switching power supply (worldwide use), HDA-913 Audio Extractor, User Manual, Lifetime OREI Tech Support, and 12-Month Manufacturer’s Warranty.
TV speakers and external audio together
Some TVs offer a “TV speakers + external audio” option, while others switch off their speakers when headphones or Bluetooth is selected. Optical may allow both on certain models. Simultaneous playback can create an echo because the two paths process audio at different speeds, so using one output is usually cleaner.
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No sound over optical or coaxial
- Confirm the TV jack is an output and the receiver jack is an input.
- Select the matching receiver input manually.
- Reseat the cable and check the optical cable’s protective caps.
- Set the TV’s digital audio format to PCM.
- Check that the receiver is not muted and supports the selected format.
- Test live TV or a built-in app, then test the HDMI source separately.
- If only one external source fails, connect it directly to the receiver or use an extractor.
A red light at the disconnected end of an optical cable indicates that the TV is transmitting light, but it does not prove that the receiver is selected correctly or that the format is compatible. Sony and TCL both identify input selection and PCM as common fixes.
Sound works but is only stereo
That may be normal. The TV may be outputting PCM stereo, the app may not provide compatible surround, the source may be outputting multichannel LPCM that S/PDIF cannot carry, or the extractor may be set to two-channel mode. Change to a compatible compressed-surround format only after basic audio works.
Lip-sync delay
- Replace Bluetooth with a wired connection if possible.
- Disable unnecessary sound processing.
- Adjust audio delay on the receiver and TV.
- Try PCM.
- If an extractor is involved, test its audio-mode or EDID setting, or try a model rated for the required formats.
Analog hum
Use a short, shielded cable and temporarily disconnect other analog connections. If the hum remains, optical may avoid it; an appropriate ground-loop isolator can also help. Never connect a speaker-level output to a line-level input.
Extractor causes a blank screen
Check the power supply, HDMI cables, source and TV resolution, HDR and refresh-rate support, HDCP compatibility, and the extractor’s EDID setting. “4K” alone does not confirm support for 4K/120, HDR, Dolby Vision, VRR, or the source’s copy protection.
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