No, not all TVs have an optical port (often labeled as DIGITAL AUDIO OUT or TOSLINK). While it is a common feature on most modern and mid-range TVs, it is not universal. Lenovo
Do all TVs have optical output ports? Not all TVs have optical output ports. While most modern TVs include this feature, older models may lack optical audio support. Check your TV's specifications to confirm.
HDMI ARC provides better sound quality, supports more audio formats, and simplifies audio transmission with a single HDMI cable. Optical cables, while still reliable, lack support for uncompressed audio and require a separate cable for video.
Both cables are pretty cheap. The biggest difference is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on streaming services such as Dolby Atmos. These formats can't be transmitted using an optical cable. In terms of simplicity, HDMI also passes video signals.
For basic stereo or 5.1 setups, optical sounds just as good. The difference appears mainly with high-end or lossless audio formats. “Optical is outdated.” Still useful for older TVs, soundbars, or receivers.
There is no difference when it comes to passing multi-channel audio like Dolby Digital. The major difference is that HDMI cables can pass higher resolution audio which includes formats found on Blu-ray like Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master audio. Fiber optic cables won't be able to transmit these high-res sound formats.
You'll need to use old school RCA cables, red and white, to connect from the TV to the converter. The converter will then output a digital optical signal that you can connect to your soundbar.
You're in luck — all you need is a single HDMI cable to connect your TV and soundbar enabled with Dolby Atmos (HDMI 2.0 for ARC should do the trick while HDMI 2.1 is necessary for eARC setups). This is the simplest option and will send audio directly from your TV to your soundbar.
Use HDMI when you can. The cables are cheap, and having just one wire simplifies setup. If you can't, optical is fine. If your gear doesn't have HDMI, it can't take advantage of the high-resolution audio formats from Blu-ray anyway (unless you connect with analog, and decode from your Blu-ray player).
Due to the limitations of bandwidth with the HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 standards, however, ARC can only support 5.1 surround sound uncompressed. It cannot handle the additional bandwidth required for uncompressed 7.1 surround sound.
If you're using external speakers with your home theater system and you're concerned with maximizing the quality of your audio output, HDMI eARC is the way to go. Just note that all of the components in your mix — your TV as well as your soundbar or audio system — must be eARC-compatible to ensure optimal bandwidth.
Unlike HDMI cables, Optical cables can only support audio transmissions. However, one major downside Optical cables have that HDMI cables do not is that they cannot support high-definition audio formats. The reason for this is that they do not possess enough bandwidth for lossless audio format.
If you've ever connected a Blu-ray DVD player or video game console to a stereo receiver or soundbar, you may very well have seen (and overlooked) the optical output port next to the HDMI port. It would be a port shaped like a piece of bread and protected by a flap (or sometimes a plug you need to remove).
The optical cable supports 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS audio. HDMI supports not only 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS audio but also Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
Will a Soundbar Work with Any TV? Yes, a soundbar will work with most TVs! The key is making sure your TV has the right connection options.
Method 1. Connect with an HDMI cable
Misconnections are often also a culprit for audio issues. For HDMI ARCs to function correctly, both ends of the cable must be connected to appropriate ARC-labelled inputs. Otherwise, the audio will be disabled. As such, do check that you're using the correct input.
As you can see, HDMI ARC and Optical are not the same thing. If you want the highest audio quality, an HDMI ARC is the best solution. It's really convenient, simple, and easy to set up. It works on all devices and supports all audio formats.
Compared to optical cables, aux cables are far more prone to interference from other devices: according to Orbitsound, a reputable source of information for audio information, aux cables are more prone to interference because "electrical sources, like your mains power, can distort the signal.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply looking to enhance your audio experience, the HDMI to Optical Converter is a must-have accessory for any modern home.
HDMI cable
Most soundbars and TVs have an HDMI port. Keep in mind you need to use an HDMI ARC or eARC cable and port. If you don't have this, you'll need an optical cable in addition to an HDMI cable. With an HDMI 2.0b cable, you can transmit the sound of your television to your soundbar.
For Dolby Atmos sound, a soundbar with HDMI is better than an optical or Bluetooth soundbar. As mentioned above, optical does not support Dolby Atmos, and Bluetooth may have lower sound quality and latency issues. HDMI can deliver the best sound quality and compatibility with Dolby Atmos soundbars.