If you are wondering how to connect Vizio soundbar to Roku TV, then you are in the right place!
We’ve covered the most popular type of connections like Bluetooth, HDMI, and optical cable. As for the setup, you’d just need a cable for HDMI and optical connections and a Bluetooth receiver for Bluetooth connection. Most of the time, just changing the output and input sources of the devices would do the trick.
We’ve also provided pros and cons, making it easy for you to choose a suitable method. Let’s get started!
Methods To Pair Vizio Soundbar To Roku TV: Clever Cheatsheet
| Method | Easiness | Effectiveness | Extra Equipment needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Optical Cable | Easy (6 steps) | Good enough sound quality, but it lacks the support for sound formats like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, or DTS-X surround sound | An Optical Cable |
| Via Bluetooth | A little bit Complicated (6 steps) | Very convenient after setup, and the whole setup is wireless. Sound quality is similar to optical connection. | Bluetooth receiver, AUX/RCA cable |
| Via HDMI cable | Fairly Easy (5 steps) | Best sound quality as compared to other methods. It just lacks the wireless connection of Bluetooth | An HDMI Cable |
- Methods To Pair Vizio Soundbar To Roku TV: Clever Cheatsheet
- Method 1: How to Connect Vizio Soundbar To Roku TV With Optical Cable
- Method 2: Connect Vizio Soundbar To Roku TV Via Bluetooth
- Method 3: Connecting Vizio Soundbar to Roku TV With HDMI
- Connect Vizio Soundbar to Roku TV Remote: Simple Steps
- FAQs on Connecting Vizio Soundbar to Roku TV
Method 1: How to Connect Vizio Soundbar To Roku TV With Optical Cable
An optical cable comprises several small strands of polished plastic specifically designed to transfer light. In an optical connection, digital audio signals are transmitted through pulses of light.
In short, the optical cable connection simply outputs sounds from your TCL Roku TV’s Optical output port to your Vizio sound bar’s optical input port. An optical connection gets the job done in most cases. You can also enjoy your favorite TV series and binge your Saturday shows.
Pros
- The installation is simple and easy.
- The audio signal bandwidth is high.
- The Optical port is a simple plug-and-play system.
- The optical connection is immune to electrical interference, so you wouldn’t experience any hissing sounds from your Vizio soundbar.
- The signal strength holds up better over longer distances as well.
Cons
- Optical connection does not support the latest high-resolution audio format like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, surround sound, etc.
- In a surround sound setup like a 2.1, 5, or 7.1 channel speaker array, the optical connection wouldn’t provide you with the surround sound experience.
- The optical wire is also fragile and has a high chance of breaking.
- The optical connection method is suitable mainly for casual users.
- An optical cable compatible with your TCL Roku TV and Vizio soundbar is required.
Steps To Connect
And an optical connection will be established between your Vizio soundbar and TCL Roku TV.
Also Read: Vizio Soundbar Keeps Turning Off Fix
Method 2: Connect Vizio Soundbar To Roku TV Via Bluetooth
Trust me, connecting via Bluetooth is the easiest method. This is a wireless setup, so you don’t have to deal with messy cable clutter running from your TV to the soundbar. Bluetooth connection gives an overall clean and aesthetic look to your setup.
The only con would be the initial setup and maybe the cost of devices. You’d have to buy a Bluetooth receiver that will connect your TCL Roku TV and Vizio soundbar. There can also be latency issues in the audio transmission if the receiver quality is not on par.
Steps To Connect
You can also use the Roku mobile app if the Bluetooth method doesn’t work.
Pro Tip
Invest in a good Bluetooth receiver. Cheap Bluetooth receivers usually have poor build quality and can cause an audio sync issue between your TCL Roku TV and the Vizio soundbar.
And they may also have short battery life. You can also go for a two-in-one Bluetooth receiver and transmitter as a whole. They are generally of good quality and can be used for other purposes.
Also Read: Bestisan Soundbar Review
Method 3: Connecting Vizio Soundbar to Roku TV With HDMI
A High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a wired connection, and it is probably the best option if you want the best audio quality compared to other audio connections. HDMI is an HD signal that is very common these days.
A single cable can transfer both high-definition video and audio between connected devices. The HADI ARC (Audio Return Channel)/ eARC technology of HDMI is similar to standard HDMI, plus it transmits impressive sound.
Pros
- Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS-X surround sound.
- Easy installation and setup.
- Widely compatible with modern devices.
Cons
- Non-availability of the HDMI ARC connection port on your TCL Roku TV or Vizio soundbar.
- Not all the platforms and media support Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, or surround sound.
- Before connection, you should already have an HDMI cable.
As for buying an HDMI cable, there’s no need to get some high-end HDMI cable that promises a lot of fancy codecs; just a standard HDMI 2.1 cable would work.
Steps To Connect
Pro Tip
Search for CEC in your TV menu. If it’s available, turn it on. And similarly, search for eARC, and if it’s available, turn it on. It’ll give you DTS-X surround sound support. Give more priority to the eARC connection as it offers superior sound quality.
Also Read: Sound From Monitors Without Speakers
Connect Vizio Soundbar to Roku TV Remote: Simple Steps
It can be very frustrating to use two remotes, one for the volume control of your sound bar and another for your TV while watching your favorite movie or TV show.
Controlling your Vizio soundbar with your TCL Roku TV Remote would be super convenient, and it isn’t that hard to set up either. Just some simple steps would do the trick.
Before following the steps below, ensure your Roku TV and Vizio soundbar are connected via HDMI ARC/ eARC. You can follow Method 3 to connect your TCL Roku TV and Vizio soundbar.
Steps To Control Your Vizio Soundbar With Your Roku TV Remote
Following the above steps will help you control your Vizio soundbar with your Roku TV remote.
You can also search for connected CEC-compatible devices from that menu to find out if your Vizio soundbar is there or not.
FAQs on Connecting Vizio Soundbar to Roku TV
Q. Why isn’t my Vizio soundbar connecting to my Roku TV?
There can be many reasons why your Vizio soundbar isn’t connecting to your TCL Roku TV. Some of the reasons can be:
The devices, i.e., your TCL Roku TV, Vizio soundbar, and Bluetooth receiver (if you’re using the Bluetooth method), are not working well. They have some malfunction or manufacturing defect.
The connecting cables, i.e., HDMI or optical cables, are not working. They can either be broken or have a loose connection with the ports. Try switching them to new ones as the cables could also be defective.
If you’re using the Bluetooth method, your Roku TV or Vizio soundbar may not be compatible with the Bluetooth receiver.
The HDMI/Optical cable may not be plugged into the correct port, i.e., the HDMI ARC/eARC (Audio Out) port of your Roku TV and the input port of your Vizio soundbar.
The Auto-detection feature of Roku TV may not be able to recognize the Vizio soundbar. So try doing it manually.
Q. What is the input button on the Vizio sound bar?
The input button on the Vizio sound bar is used to switch between audio sources. For example, if you press the INPUT button on your Vizio soundbar remote, it’ll switch the audio input between sources like optical, HDMI, or Bluetooth.
Q. Where is HDMI ARC on Roku TV?
The HDMI ARC port is generally located at the back of your TCL Roku TV. You can look for the port labelled “HDMI® ARC” (or similar).
Q. Does my Roku TV have Bluetooth?
You can go to the menu screen and look for Bluetooth in the connections or settings tab. If you find a Bluetooth connection option, your Roku TV has Bluetooth.
But the in-built Bluetooth of your Roku TV works only with other Roku devices like Roku streaming devices or another TCL Roku TV. You can also visit the official website.
Search for your Roku TV by its model number and go to its Product Documentation/specification to find out if it has Bluetooth.
About the Author
Rach Wellard
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