Connect a soundbar to a 2014 LG LB-series TV: HDMI ARC or optical?

Use the ARC port or an optical cable

To send TV sound to a soundbar on a 2014 LG LB-series TV, use either the TV’s HDMI port labelled ARC or an optical audio cable. Check the labels on both devices first: an ordinary HDMI input on the soundbar or the TV isn’t automatically ARC.

This page helps you pick the right port and avoid known restrictions. For the TV’s sound-output settings, use the User Guide built into the TV (see the last section) and your soundbar’s manual. LG’s 2014 manual describes ARC, not eARC.

Connect with HDMI ARC

1. Check that the soundbar or audio system supports ARC and SIMPLINK.
2. Find the TV port labelled HDMI IN 1 (ARC) or HDMI/DVI IN 1 (ARC). The label depends on the model.
3. Connect the soundbar’s ARC connection to that port with a high-speed HDMI cable.
4. Set up the sound output and SIMPLINK control using the TV’s User Guide and the soundbar’s instructions.

Use the ARC-labelled port even if other HDMI ports are free. LG says any HDMI input works for a video source such as a player or console, but ARC must use the ARC port.

Connect with an optical cable

Run an optical cable from the TV’s digital optical audio output to the audio system’s OPTICAL AUDIO IN.

• Don’t look into the TV’s optical output. LG warns the laser can damage your vision.
• Some content uses Audio Copy Protection (ACP), which LG says can block digital audio output. If one programme is silent but others play, that may be the reason rather than the cable.

Unplug wired headphones

On these TVs, connecting headphones to Ext. Speaker / H/P OUT disables the TV’s audio menu items and turns off the optical digital output. If optical sound stops, check that nothing is plugged into the headphone jack. See the wired headphones guide for the other headphone limits.

Open the TV’s built-in User Guide

On the Magic Remote:

1. Press Smarthome to open the Launcher.
2. Select User Guide.
3. Press Wheel (OK).

Some remotes have a dedicated User Guide button instead. Look up the audio-output and SIMPLINK sections for your model there.

After setup, play something you know has sound and check that it comes from the soundbar. If it’s still silent, note the TV model, soundbar model and connection you used before contacting LG or the soundbar maker’s support.