Audio Video Connection: How to Connect Audio and Video Step by Step

An audio/video connection is the complete signal path from a source device to the display and the sound output, and getting it right means connecting the correct cable at each link in the chain and verifying that both the picture and the sound arrive at the destination. This guide walks through the audio/video connection for the five most common setups – TV with soundbar, TV with receiver, PC to monitor, console to TV, and laptop to TV – with the cable at each link, the port to use, and the verification step that confirms the connection is working.

The Basic Audio/Video Connection Chain

Every audio/video connection has the same three elements: the source, the display, and the sound output. The cables connect these three in a specific order, and the connection is complete when all three are correctly linked.

The source to the display: video plus audio

The source device – a game console, a streaming box, a PC, a Blu-ray player – connects to the display (TV or monitor) with a single HDMI cable. The HDMI cable carries both the video and the audio signal, so this one cable handles the picture and the sound for the display’s built-in speakers. The source’s HDMI output goes to the display’s HDMI input, and the display’s input selector is set to the matching HDMI port.

The display to the sound output: the audio return

If the sound is coming from a soundbar or a receiver instead of the display’s built-in speakers, the audio must travel from the display to the sound output. The preferred path is the display’s eARC HDMI port to the soundbar’s or receiver’s HDMI input: the display’s audio – from its tuner, apps, and all connected sources – travels over the eARC cable to the sound output. For older sound outputs without HDMI, the path is the display’s Optical Out to the soundbar’s Optical In (TOSLINK cable), or the display’s Audio Out (L/R) to the receiver’s Line In (L/R) (red/white RCA cables).

Verifying the connection

The connection is verified in two steps: first, confirm the picture is on the display by selecting the correct input source; second, confirm the sound is on the sound output by playing a source that produces audio (a streaming app, a game, a disc). If the picture is present but the sound is not, the audio return path (eARC, optical, or RCA) is the section to check: reseat the cable at both ends, confirm the sound output’s input is set to the matching source, and check the display’s audio output setting – some displays have a menu item that must be set to external speaker or soundbar rather than TV speaker.

Connecting the Five Common Setups

The five most common audio/video connection setups, with the cable at each link and the verification step for each.

TV with soundbar (the most common setup)

Cable 1: HDMI from the streaming box or console to the TV’s HDMI 2 (or 3). Cable 2: HDMI from the TV’s eARC port to the soundbar’s HDMI in (eARC). Verification: select the streaming box’s HDMI input on the TV, play content, and confirm both picture on the TV and sound from the soundbar. If the sound is absent, check the TV’s audio output setting and the soundbar’s input source.

TV with AV receiver (home theater)

Cable 1: HDMI from each source (console, streaming box, Blu-ray) to the receiver’s HDMI inputs. Cable 2: HDMI from the receiver’s HDMI output to the TV’s HDMI 1. Cable 3: speaker wire from the receiver’s speaker terminals to the front, center, surround, and subwoofer speakers. Verification: select the receiver’s input on the TV (HDMI 1), select the matching source on the receiver, play content, and confirm picture on the TV and sound from the speakers. The receiver is the audio processor; the TV is the video display only.

PC to monitor (home office)

Cable: DisplayPort (preferred for high refresh) or HDMI from the PC’s graphics card output to the monitor’s input. The audio, if the monitor has speakers, travels on the same cable. Verification: select the monitor’s input (usually automatic), confirm the picture, and play an audio file to confirm the monitor’s speakers produce sound. If the monitor has no speakers, a separate 3.5mm audio cable from the PC’s headphone jack to external speakers is required.

Console to TV (gaming)

Cable: HDMI 2.1 (for 4K120 on a compatible TV) or HDMI 2.0 (for 4K60) from the console’s HDMI output to the TV’s HDMI input. Verification: turn on the console, select the matching HDMI input on the TV, and confirm the picture and sound. For a 4K120 setup, confirm the TV’s game mode is enabled and the HDMI port is set to enhanced or HDMI 2.1 mode in the TV’s settings.

Laptop to TV (presentation or extended desktop)

Cable: HDMI from the laptop’s HDMI output to the TV’s HDMI input, or a USB-C to HDMI cable if the laptop has only USB-C. The audio travels on the same cable to the TV’s speakers. Verification: connect the cable, press the Windows key plus P (or open the display settings) to select Duplicate or Extend, and confirm the picture on the TV. Play an audio file to confirm the TV’s speakers produce sound; if not, change the laptop’s default audio output to the TV/HDMI device in the sound settings.

Troubleshooting the Audio/Video Connection

Four connection failures account for most audio/video connection problems, and each has a specific fix that takes minutes, not hours.

Picture but no sound

The video cable is carrying the picture but the audio is not reaching the sound output. Check: (1) the audio return cable (eARC, optical, or RCA) is connected at both ends; (2) the sound output’s input is set to the matching source; (3) the display’s audio output setting is set to external speaker or soundbar, not TV speaker; (4) for a PC connection, the PC’s default audio output is set to the HDMI/DisplayPort device, not the laptop speakers.

Sound but no picture

The audio is reaching the sound output but the video is not reaching the display. Check: (1) the display’s input source is set to the correct HDMI port; (2) the video cable is seated firmly at both ends; (3) the source device is actually outputting a video signal (try a different source or a different cable). If the display shows No Signal on the correct input, the video cable or the source device’s output is the problem.

Intermittent connection (flickering or dropping)

An intermittent connection is almost always a cable or a port problem. Check: (1) reseat the cable at both ends – a loose connection is the most common cause; (2) try a different cable to rule out a faulty cable; (3) try a different port on the display to rule out a faulty port; (4) for long HDMI runs (over 10 m), the cable may be at the edge of its rated length – use a shorter cable or an active or fiber cable.

Wrong resolution or refresh rate

The picture is present but at a lower resolution or refresh rate than expected. Check: (1) the source device’s output resolution and refresh rate settings match the display’s capability; (2) the cable is rated for the resolution and refresh rate in use (an HDMI 2.0 cable cannot carry 4K120); (3) for a PC, the graphics driver’s output settings are set to the correct resolution and refresh rate.

Audio/Video Connection by Setup

Real-World Application Scenarios

A family living room uses the TV plus soundbar setup: one HDMI cable from the streaming box to the TV, one HDMI cable from the TV’s eARC port to the soundbar, and the antenna coaxial feed to the TV’s tuner. A dedicated home theater room uses the TV plus AV receiver setup: three HDMI cables from the sources to the receiver, one HDMI cable from the receiver to the TV, and speaker wire from the receiver to the five speakers and subwoofer. A home office uses the PC plus monitor setup: one DisplayPort cable from the GPU to the monitor, with the audio on the monitor’s built-in speakers. A guest bedroom uses the laptop plus TV setup: one USB-C to HDMI cable from the laptop to the TV for extended desktop and streaming. A gaming room uses the console plus TV setup: one HDMI 2.1 cable from the console to the TV’s enhanced HDMI port, with the TV’s game mode enabled for 4K120.

Recommended Internal Resources

Editorial Note: Internal linking recommendation: (1) Video Cables – https://zh-zong.com/video-cables/ (anchor: video cables); (2) Audio and Video Cables – https://zh-zong.com/audio-and-video-cables/ (anchor: audio and video cables); (3) General FAQ – https://zh-zong.com/faq/ (anchor: cable FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)