How to Connect Harman JBL Bar 5.1 with TV and Digital Devices

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

THIS GUIDE WILL HELP CONNECT THE HERMAN JBL BAR 5.1 WITH TV AND DIGITAL DEVICES

The JBL Bar 5.1 transforms from a soundbar into a true wireless 5.1 home theater system for an epic movie and music-listening experience. The soundbar features two detachable battery-powered wireless surround speakers with up to 10 hours of playtime, 510W of total system power, a 250mm wireless subwoofer, and three HDMI inputs to connect 4K devices, and Bluetooth.

2. How to Connect

Connect to TV using HDMI ARC

1. Connect the soundbar with the HDMI ARC connector on the TV by using the supplied HDMI cable.
   

1. Use an HDMI cable (V2.0 or later) to connect the soundbar with the digital device, such as a set-top box, DVD/Blu-ray player, or game console.
   
2. On your digital device, select “Bitstream” or “Raw data” in the audio output settings for the best Dolby Atmos experience. 
3. To play audio from the digital device connected to the soundbar, select HDMI on the remote control.
   

Connect to TV Using HDMI eARC

1. Connect the soundbar with the HDMI eARC connector on the TV by using the supplied HDMI cable.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Use an HDMI cable (eARC compatible, V2.0 or later) to connect the TV with digital devices, such as a streaming device, set-top box, DVD/Blu-ray player, or game console.
   
3.  On your digital device, select “Bitstream” or “Raw data” in the audio output settings for the best Dolby Atmos experience. 
4. To play audio from the digital device connected to your TV, select TV on the remote control.
   
   

With the 4 up-firing speakers and the detachable surround speaker design, the Dolby surround upmixer of the soundbar can expand the legacy channel-based audio of Dolby Digital format, including 5.1 and 7.1 content, and provide an immersive 3D Atmos experience. 

Connect to TV using Optical Connection

1. Connect the soundbar with the TV by using an optical cable
   

1. 
   
   
2. Use an HDMI cable (V2.0 or later) to connect your TV with a digital device, such as a streaming device, set-top box, DVD/ Blu-ray player, or game console
   
   
3. To play audio through the optical cable, select the remote control
   

• The HDMI cable (for digital device connection) and the optical cable are sold separately. 
  
  
• Full compatibility with all HDMI-CEC devices is not guaranteed.
  
  
• When both HDMI ARC and optical cables are connected to the soundbar for audio input from TV connection, the HDMI ARC connection is prioritized.