How to Connect Soundbar to a TV if your TV doesn't have Bluetooth? 

Instead of an HDMI cable or optical cable, connect your soundbar to your TV using the four options listed below.

Two of the most popular methods to connect a soundbar to a TV are HDMI and digital optical audio. There is no loss of quality while transmitting audio signals, and they may even improve the quality of your listening experience. However, what if your devices fail to support these two features?

You have two choices when connecting a soundbar to your TV: You may use a wireless connection or you can use standard analog or digital RCA connections. Coaxial cables may also be converted to another kind of connection using an auxiliary device.

Sometimes, you may have to be creative while connecting your soundbar to your TV; include a little mix and match, and you're good to go. This will be a detailed discussion where we determine what alternatives are available for your setup.

1. Get connected with the Aux cable or plug in the 3.5mm cable

Soundbars aren't necessarily able to connect to TVs that don't support HDMI or digital optical since it might mean you're using a device that can't accommodate both of these connection types.

For the most part, vintage TVs have just one method to send audio: through the aux cable or auxiliary input. Just as with cell phones and other audio devices, this connection is comparable.

Syncwire nylon braided aux cable works with TVs that accept this connection (Amazon link). It is compatible with all 3.5mm-enabled devices. This item also includes a 24K gold-plated connection to boost the strength and quality of audio transmissions.

You may try utilizing an auxiliary to RCA converter if your soundbar or TV doesn't support the aux connection. Affordable HDMI and optical options.

As far as budget 3.5mm to 2-Male RCA adapters go, AmazonBasics 3.5mm to 2-Male RCA Adapter (Amazon link) is a superb option. There are no complicated features, simply corrosion-resistant connections and zero distortion, lossless transmission, and all at a price that can't be beat!

Most of the available soundbars offer an auxiliary connector that's compatible with 3.5mm cables. When it comes to connecting to a TV via an aux cable, you don't need any technical knowledge.

For little than $10, you may have your connecting cord. It's not the ideal option, however, since when you're utilizing this connection for audio, you will have to deal with certain problems.

Some negative aspects of using auxiliary cables

Auxiliary audio connection is a great option if your sole aim is to connect your soundbar to your TV. On the other hand, if you want to create a space where the sound is really loud, you need either get a newer TV or go wireless.

2. Connect with RCA (Yellow, Red, and White) Cables

Due to the inconspicuous nature of the decrease in audio quality, 3.5mm aux cables are dependable and capable of transferring sounds with little degradation. This means you can only connect a stereo cable as an auxiliary device. You'll only be able to take use of the system for your left and right speakers, so you can't utilize soundbars with three or more channels.

Most TVs now include a 3.5mm jack, HDMI, or optical connections. You're left with just two choices if you're dealing with an older TV: RCA or coaxial cords. These cables, available in many electrical shops, can efficiently transfer audio signals.

If your TV is hooked up to an RCA connection, you will be happy to know that most soundbars are capable of handling two-channel audio. Make sure your TV and cable have RCA output connections, and use an RCA cable to connect them.

You may use a yellow video wire to link your TV to your soundbar, and you can connect the red and white audio cables directly to your soundbar.

Today's TVs may be used as a central processing point for audio and visual data, not just for input but also for output. For older TVs, just audio and video are available. You will thus have to divide the audio signal before it reaches the TV to create separate audio for the soundbar.

Our suggested cable for connecting a soundbar to a TV utilizing an RCA connector is Monoprice Premium 2 RCA Plug (link provided below). When it comes to audio, you only have two connectors: red and white. When it comes to additional components, you don't have to fret about the extra yellow video connection, since you can connect your soundbar and TV.

Side effects of RCA cables

RCA cables are similar to auxiliary inputs in that they only carry signals in the left and right channels. You won't receive the greatest audio experience if you're utilizing a soundbar with 3.0 or greater channels.

If all you're searching for is a cheap method to connect your soundbar to a TV, RCA cables will do the trick.

You should need a multi-channel cable box to listen to surround sound, even if your TV has a 5-channel RCA output. A three-channel or greater soundbar may only be connected by HDMI, optical, or wireless.

Using an AV RCA to HDMI converter, such as the Mini RCA Composite CVBS (Amazon) adapter, allows you to create higher audio quality without updating your TV.

This gadget allows you to enjoy 3 or more channels for less than your monthly budget would normally allow, supposing you upgraded to the best TVs on the market. In earlier TVs, you cannot receive full high definition audio signals, since surround sound effects are not possible.

Nonetheless, it's a useful tool that may be used to update your sound system with current digital connections if you don't want to depend on them.

3. Use Coaxial Cable to connect

Even if you're using an older TV, there's just one viable cable connection: coaxial. Since TVs have only been capable of playing cable shows in the past, that is why they seem so outdated now. Cable service providers (CSPs) allow you to connect straight from the service to your TV. You may then use the TV to route your audio and video output.

On the other hand, many individuals claim that coaxial cable is a completely obsolete technology, yet you will still discover a number of gadgets that use this kind of connection. You may not be able to describe it, but you can describe the whole scenario if you picture a cable with a nut on both ends, with a bit of wire coming out of the cable.

You will need a VCR or a DVD player to connect your soundbar to your TV via coaxial wire. This is a gadget that we use to play VHS and DVD videos. Your only alternative is to use coaxial cable to create an audio connection.

The coaxial cable may be connected to the VCR or DVD output, after which it is plugged into the TV input. You will then connect the VCR or DVD audio output to the soundbar using RCA cables. When using this setup, you’re basically removing every feature that your TV has, and will only serve as a monitor.

There are other options that you can use for coaxial cables, but most of them aren’t worth the clutter and price. For example, you can find an adapter that converts coaxial to HDMI, but it requires an external power source. These connections and additional devices only add up to the already cluttered and clunky setup that you might have.

Plus, if you’re going to spend money on an adapter and an external power source, you’re better off upgrading an old TV to a modern one with HDMI capability.

Cons of Coaxial Cable

Using a coaxial cable to connect your soundbar to a TV may be a bit complicated, but you can still make it work. However, since it’s an old technology, connecting your devices will require more than just your soundbar and TV.

Aside from that, if you don’t have a VCR or DVD player lying around your house, it can be tough to find an electronic store that still has one.

Another problem that you’ll encounter when using this type of connection for audio is that you’ll have a hard cap on the number of channels that you can use.

If you can find a VCR or DVD player with a 5-channel connection, you can also use an AV RCA to HDMI adapter, but, then again, you can’t expect it to transmit true high definition audio signals.

4. Go Wireless

Now, we’re moving to the best alternative to HDMI or optical audio connection. We can even consider going wireless as an upgrade to your existing soundbar. It allows you to get rid of the nasty wired connection without sacrificing the quality of audio that your soundbar can produce.

What makes this option even better is that some wireless conversion kits (my top picks) work with aux or RCA cable. That means you can have an old TV that only supports auxiliary jack or RCA and still have a wireless capability!

You don’t have to worry about nasty adapters that convert old audio connections to HDMI because wireless conversion kits can provide all of your devices with the same reliable connection.

The installation will also be easier because you don’t need different devices to connect your soundbar to a TV. Just connect the transmitter to your TV, then the receiver to your soundbar, and you’re good to go! It’ll even come in handy if you’re trying to keep the connection cables out of sight!

Conclusion

HDMI and digital optical may be the new standard for audio connection, but these aren’t the only options that you have. If your TV doesn’t support both of these connections, you can still use the following:

• 3.5mm auxiliary jack or aux cable 
• RCA (yellow, red, and white) cable
• Coaxial cable
• Wireless connection