Connecting a BRAVIA TV with a Soundbar and another input device using HDMI cables

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

1. Preparing HDMI cables.
   We recommend connecting with 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 True HD, 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)
2. Connect the TV, Soundbar, and external input device with HDMI cables

   BRAVIA TV has multiple HDMI terminals, but not all HDMI terminals support eARC. You can check which terminal is compatible with eARC by looking at 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 the 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 IN 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 player, CATV tuner, or Game console)
   • D: HDMI cable (not supplied)
3. Set BRAVIA TV settings to output the sound from the Soundbar
   1. Go to the Settings screen on the TV.
      • 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.
4. Select Display & Sound → Audio output→ Speakers → Audio system.
   
5. After completing Step 2 above, if the screen automatically returns to the Audio output settings screen, 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.
   • Some functions may be restricted by enabling the eARC mode function, 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 may not be required. To check the settings, refer to the instruction manual of your Soundbar.

Select your favorite program or external input with the TV remote control, and check if the sound is output from the Soundbar.

Tips

• When there is audio delay: If the sound of the connected device (Blu-ray player, Gaming console, etc.) is delayed with the above connection, it may be improved by changing the TV settings and connection method. For details of the settings, refer to the When the Soundbar is connected to the TV, the sound of other connected devices (Blu-ray Disc™ player, Gaming console, etc.) is delayed. article.
• Connecting an external input device directly to the Soundbar: If your Soundbar has an HDMI IN terminal, you can also connect an external input device (such as a Blu-ray 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 the Connecting BRAVIA to an external device via the Soundbar using HDMI (ARC / eARC) cables article.
  
  Note: The supported audio formats differ depending on the audio device. Check the Soundbar instruction manual or the manufacturer's specification page.