How to connect Vizio soundbar to Google TV? Explained
Connecting a Vizio soundbar to your Google TV can be a great way to enhance your home entertainment experience. With a sound system, you can enjoy high-quality audio and immersive surround sound while watching your favorite movies or TV shows on Google TV.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of connecting your Vizio soundbar to your Google TV, so you can start enjoying an enhanced audio experience in no time.
Things You Will Need
Before we get started, make sure you have the following items ready:
- Vizio sound bar
- Google TV remote control
- HDMI Arc or optical cable (depending on your sound bar and TV)
- Power cables for the sound bar and Google TV
Related: How To Program Onn Universal Remote Control
HDMI Arc vs HDMI eArc vs Optical Cable
Before we dive into the steps of pairing your Vizio soundbar, it’s important to understand the difference between HDMI Arc, HDMI eArc, and optical cable. These are all different types of audio cables that can be used to connect your sound system to your smart Tv.
- HDMI Arc: This stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface Audio Return Channel and is a feature found in most modern TVs. It allows for two-way communication between your TV and soundbar, carrying both audio and video signals.
- HDMI eArc: This stands for Enhanced Audio Return Channel and is a newer version of HDMI Arc. It offers higher bandwidth and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats.
- Optical Cable: Also known as TOSLINK, this is a digital audio cable that can transmit audio signals from your TV to your soundbar. It does not support two-way communication like HDMI Arc and eArc.
Now that you understand these cables better, let’s move on to the steps of connecting your Vizio soundbar to Google TV.
Different Ways to Connect Vizio Soundbar with Google TV
Method 1: Using HDMI Arc Cable
Connecting your Vizio soundbar to Google Home TV using an HDMI Arc cable is the simplest and most common method. Here’s how you can do it:
- Locate the HDMI Arc port on your TV and plug one end of the HDMI Arc cable into it.
- Plug the other end of the HDMI Arc cable into the HDMI Out (ARC) port on your Vizio soundbar.
- Turn on your TV and sound bar.
- On your TV remote, press the Home button and navigate to the Settings menu.
- Select Audio & Sound > Speakers > Audio Out To HDMI Arc and choose the option corresponding to your soundbar connection.
- Follow the instructions on your TV screen to complete the setup process.
- Your Vizio soundbar should now be connected to your Google TV via HDMI Arc, and you can start enjoying high-quality audio.
Method 2: Using Optical Cable
If your TV does not have an HDMI Arc port or if you prefer to use an optical cable, here’s how you can connect your Vizio soundbar to a TV:
- Locate the optical audio output on your TV and plug one end of the optical cable into it.
- Plug the other end of the optical cable into the Optical In port on your Vizio soundbar.
- Power on your TV and soundbar.
- On your TV remote, go to Settings > Audio > Speakers > Audio Out/Optical and choose the option corresponding to your soundbar connection.
- Follow the instructions on your TV screen to complete the setup process.
- Your Vizio sound bar should now be connected to your Google TV via an optical cable, and you can start enjoying enhanced audio.
Method 3: Using Bluetooth
If your Vizio sound bar has Bluetooth capabilities, you can also connect it to your Chromecast with Google TV wirelessly. Here’s how:
- Turn on your Vizio soundbar and set it to Bluetooth mode.
- Go to Settings > Remote & Accessories > Add Accessory on your Google TV remote.
- Select your soundbar from the list of available devices.
- Follow the instructions on your TV screen to complete the pairing process.
- Once connected, it will listed as a paired device and you can start streaming audio from your Google TV to the speaker bar using Bluetooth.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues
If your Vizio sound bar is not connecting to your Google TV, here are some troubleshooting tips you can try:
- Make sure all cables are securely connected and the devices are powered on.
- Check for any software updates for both your TV and soundbar.
- Try using a different HDMI or optical cable to rule out any faulty connections.
- Restart both your TV and soundbar.
- Check that the input on your device is set to the correct source (i.e. HDMI or optical).
- If using Bluetooth, make sure both devices are within proximity and no other devices are interfering with the connection.
Fixing audio delay on your soundbar
If you experience a delay in audio when using your Vizio speaker bar with Google TV, try the following steps:
- Go to Settings > Audio on your TV and adjust the audio delay settings.
- If using HDMI Arc, make sure both your TV and soundbar are set to use this connection.
- If using an optical cable, check if there are any issues with the cable or if it is properly connected.
- Make sure both devices are set to the same audio format (i.e. Dolby Digital, DTS).
Enhancing your audio experience on Google TV
Apart from connecting a soundbar, there are other ways you can enhance your audio experience on Google TV. Here are a few tips:
- Adjust the audio settings on your TV to optimize audio output.
- Use an equalizer app or feature to customize the sound profile according to your preferences.
- Connect additional speakers or a subwoofer for a more immersive audio experience.
- Consider using a streaming service or app that offers high-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS: X.
Conclusion
Using your Vizio soundbar to your TV is a simple process that can greatly enhance your viewing experience. Make sure to choose the method that best suits your needs and enjoy high-quality audio from your favorite movies and shows. So, these were the different methods of establishing a connection with your Google TV. Now you can choose the method that best suits your needs and enjoy high-quality audio from your favorite movies and shows on Google TV.
