The quickest way to connect your smart TV to an amplifier without HDMI is to use a wired audio cable. For older amplifiers, plug in red and white RCA analog cables; for better clarity, use an Optical (TOSLINK) digital cable, but you must set the TV’s audio output to PCM to avoid silence.
Connect with RCA analog cables
If your amplifier has only red and white analog inputs, RCA cables are your simplest, most reliable solution. Start by locating the RCA audio output jacks on your smart TV, they are usually labeled “Audio Out” or “Line Out” and are color-coded red and white. Connect one end of the RCA cables to these TV ports, matching red-to-red and white-to-white. Then, find the corresponding “Audio In” or “Line In” ports on your amplifier (often labeled “CD,” “AUX,” or “Tape”) and connect the other end, again matching colors. Once plugged in, turn on both devices and change the TV’s audio output to “External Speakers” or “Audio Out.” For a Samsung TV, navigate to Settings > All Settings > Sound > Sound Output and select “Audio Out” or “Optical.” On an LG TV, go to Settings > Sound > Speaker Output and pick “Optical digital/HDMI ARC” or “Line Out.” For a TCL Roku TV, go to Settings > Audio > Audio Output and choose “Stereo” or “Line Out.” After selecting the correct output, adjust the volume on both the TV and the amplifier, you should now hear audio through your external speakers. Note that RCA carries only stereo sound, so you won’t get surround formats, but it’s a dependable, zero-latency connection for music and TV dialogue.
Connect with an optical digital audio cable (TOSLINK)
Optical cables transmit digital audio and are the best non-HDMI option for cleaner sound and potential surround support. First, locate the square-shaped optical output on your TV (often labeled “Optical Out” or “Digital Audio Out”) and the matching optical input on your amplifier. Remove the protective caps from both ends of the TOSLINK cable, then insert one end firmly into the TV’s optical port and the other into the amplifier’s optical input, you should feel a click when seated. Turn on both devices, then access your TV’s sound settings. On a Samsung, go to Settings > All Settings &strong> Sound > Sound Output and choose “Optical.” On an LG, navigate to Settings > Sound > Speaker Output and select “Optical digital/HDMI ARC.” Now, the critical step: if you hear no sound, open the TV’s “Expert Settings” (Samsung) or “Advanced Audio” (LG/TCL) and set “Digital Output Audio Format” to PCM. This forces the TV to send uncompressed stereo that older amplifiers can decode. If your amplifier supports Dolby Digital, you may select “Dolby Digital” or “Auto” instead for 5.1 surround, but PCM is the safest fix for compatibility issues. and adjust volume, you’ll get crisp, interference-free audio.
Wireless option: Connect via Bluetooth
If your amplifier or receiver has built-in Bluetooth, you can skip cables entirely. On the TV, select the amplifier’s name from the list; the TV will connect automatically. Once paired, choose the Bluetooth device as the default audio output. This method is ideal for reducing cable clutter and works well for casual listening, but be aware of slight audio lag (latency) during video playback. Also, Bluetooth compresses audio, so it won’t match the fidelity of optical or RCA, but it’s a quick, convenient fix for compatible receivers.
Adapter workarounds for HDMI-only TVs
If your smart TV has no analog or optical outputs, only HDMI, you’ll need a small adapter. An HDMI Audio Extractor is the best choice when your amplifier has RCA or optical inputs but no HDMI. Connect an HDMI cable from the TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port to the extractor’s input, then run either an optical cable or RCA cables from the extractor’s audio outputs to your amplifier. Many extractors require USB power, so plug them into a wall adapter or the TV’s USB port. Alternatively, if your amplifier only accepts analog RCA, use an HDMI to RCA Converter, this device takes the HDMI signal, strips out the video (which you can send to a display if needed), and outputs stereo audio via red/white RCA jacks. Both adapters are plug-and-play: after connecting, set the TV’s audio output to “HDMI ARC” or “HDMI” in the sound settings, and the converter will handle the rest. These workarounds are especially useful if you’re also trying to hook up an old surround sound system to a newer TV that lacks legacy ports; the extractor or converter bridges the gap without replacing your gear, and you can use the same method to connect a surround sound system to a Vizio smart TV with only HDMI ports. A similar approach lets you connect soundbar to TV without HDMI ARC using an optical cable or audio converter.
Fine-tune your setup for the best sound
After the physical connection is made, two final settings will eliminate common issues. On LG, choose “Optical digital/HDMI ARC” under Settings > Sound > Speaker Output. On TCL Roku TVs, select “Optical” or “Line Out” in Settings > Audio, this turns off the built-in speakers. Second, set your amplifier to the correct input source: press the “Input” or “Source” button on the receiver until it matches the port you used (e.g., “CD” for RCA, “Optical” for TOSLINK, “Bluetooth” for wireless, or “AUX” for an adapter). If you hear no sound, double-check that the TV’s audio format is set to PCM (as described in the optical section) and that the amplifier’s volume is turned up above zero. Also, note that some TCL TVs have an “audio line out” that bypasses TV volume control, in that case, use the amplifier’s volume exclusively. Finally, if you’re using a method like connecting a soundbar or a receiver, remember that the TV’s “Digital Output Audio Format” should stay on PCM for older amps, or switch to “Pass-through” if your amplifier can decode Dolby itself. With these tweaks, you’ll get clean, echo-free audio and full control over volume from your amplifier.
For the wider topic, see connecting a soundbar.
