How to Connect Your TV, Soundbar & Console the Right Way (2026)

On this page

HDMI 2.1 vs eARC – what each port actually does
The only correct layout for 2026 setups
Why you should not run your console through the soundbar
TV HDMI settings you must enable
Configuring the soundbar for Atmos and eARC
Console settings: PS5 and Xbox Series X
Using Apple TV 4K with a soundbar
Choose the right HDMI 2.1 cables
Soundbar and TV recommendations to search for
Fixing common problems
Final checklist

If your TV, soundbar and console are wired the wrong way, you lose exactly the features you paid for: Dolby Atmos stops working, HDR looks flat, 120 Hz disappears and input lag shoots up. The good news is that in 2026 you can fix most of this just by changing how everything is connected – no new hardware required.

This guide walks you through a clean, future-proof setup for PS5, Xbox Series X and Apple TV 4K with a modern 4K/120 Hz TV and Dolby Atmos soundbar. Follow the diagrams and settings step-by-step and you’ll unlock the full potential of your system.

HDMI 2.1 vs eARC – what each port actually does

Before touching cables, you need to understand the two key HDMI roles on your TV: high-bandwidth video ports and the eARC audio return port. Mixing those up is the number one reason why people lose 4K120, VRR or Atmos.

HDMI 2.1 ports – video + audio from your sources

HDMI 2.1 ports are the main “input” ports on your TV. They handle the full video and audio signal coming from devices like:

PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X
Gaming PC or laptop with HDMI 2.1
Apple TV 4K and other streaming boxes
4K Blu-ray players

On modern TVs these ports support up to 48 Gbps bandwidth, which is what you need for 4K at 120 Hz, VRR and the latest HDR formats. This is where your consoles and external boxes must be connected – directly to the TV, not to the soundbar.

HDMI eARC port – audio from the TV back to the soundbar

The eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) port is different. It sends audio out of the TV into your soundbar or AV receiver. It doesn’t carry video, only audio, but it supports high-bitrate formats like Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD.

Once eARC is enabled, anything that plays inside the TV – built-in apps, live TV, or devices plugged into other HDMI ports – can send full-quality audio to your soundbar over a single HDMI cable.

The only correct layout for 2026 setups

For almost every modern system, the most reliable wiring scheme is:

Consoles & external boxes → TV (HDMI 2.1)
TV eARC → soundbar HDMI eARC

You avoid running the console through the soundbar first. This keeps the video path short and high-bandwidth, and lets the soundbar just do its job: decode audio sent by the TV over eARC.

Typical connection map

HDMI 1 (2.1) on TV → PlayStation 5
HDMI 2 (2.1) on TV → Xbox Series X
HDMI 3 on TV → Apple TV 4K or other streaming box
HDMI eARC on TV → HDMI eARC on soundbar

That’s it. One HDMI cable from the TV to the soundbar, and every device plugged into the TV can send Atmos and surround sound over eARC.

Why you should not run your console through the soundbar

Some soundbars include an HDMI input and advertise 4K or even 8K passthrough. In practice, very few of them deliver full 48 Gbps bandwidth and stable VRR. When you plug your PS5 or Xbox into the soundbar first, several things can go wrong:

4K120 and VRR may stop working or fluctuate.
Chroma subsampling may drop from 4:4:4 to 4:2:0, softening text and UI.
Input lag can increase because the soundbar has to process the signal.
HDR and Dolby Vision handshakes may fail when switching apps or refresh rates.

By wiring the console straight into the TV, you remove the soundbar as a bottleneck. The TV negotiates resolution, refresh rate and HDR directly with the console, and eARC simply sends audio back to the soundbar with almost no latency.

TV HDMI settings you must enable

Once the cables are in the right ports, you still need to switch on the advanced HDMI features in the TV menu. Each brand uses different labels, but the goal is the same: give that HDMI input the full 2.1 bandwidth and gaming features.

Enable enhanced format / HDMI 2.1 mode

Look for options like:

LG – “HDMI Deep Colour” or “4K 120 Hz / VRR”
Sony – “Enhanced Format” or “Enhanced Format (Dolby Vision)”
Samsung – “Input Signal Plus”
Hisense / TCL – “HDMI 2.1 Enhanced” or similar

Turn this on for any HDMI port where a console or Apple TV 4K is connected. Without it, the TV may cap your signal to 4K60 SDR even if the console reports 4K120 support.

Switch on gaming features: VRR and ALLM

Next, enable Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) on both the TV and consoles. VRR removes tearing and stutter when frame rate fluctuates, while ALLM automatically puts the TV into its lowest-lag game preset whenever the console is active.

Configuring the soundbar for Atmos and eARC

With the TV ports correctly set, move to your audio settings. Your goal is simple: the TV should pass audio bit-for-bit to the soundbar over eARC without re-encoding it.

On the TV

HDMI eARC: On
Digital Audio Output: Auto, Bitstream or Pass-through (do not force PCM unless troubleshooting)
Dolby Atmos: On, for both internal apps and HDMI devices where available

On the soundbar

HDMI-CEC / HDMI Control: On (allows volume and power sync with the TV)
Input: Set to “TV eARC / ARC”
Sound mode: Standard, Movie or Surround – avoid heavy post-processing that can add delay.

If you’re using a Dolby Atmos soundbar, look for an indicator on the front panel or in the companion app that confirms Atmos is being received when you play compatible content.

Console settings: PS5 and Xbox Series X

PlayStation 5

Video Output Resolution: Automatic
120 Hz Output: Automatic or Enabled
VRR: On (if your TV supports it)
HDR: Always On (or On When Supported)
Audio Output Device: HDMI Device (AV Amplifier or TV)
Audio Format (Priority): Dolby or Dolby Atmos if available in your region

Xbox Series X

Under “4K TV details”, ensure all 4K and 120 Hz boxes are ticked.
Enable VRR and 120 Hz in the display settings.
Allow Dolby Vision for gaming if your TV supports it.
Audio: HDMI audio set to Bitstream out, and Bitstream format set to Dolby Atmos for home theater.

Using Apple TV 4K with a soundbar

Many people prefer to use Apple TV 4K instead of TV apps because of smoother motion and better app support. The box should still be connected directly to the TV, not to the soundbar. Then eARC carries Atmos and surround from the TV to the bar.

For best results on Apple TV 4K (2026):

Match Dynamic Range: On
Match Frame Rate: On
Audio Format: Dolby Atmos enabled

If you want to fine-tune picture quality after wiring everything, it’s worth following a proper calibration guide. You can use a dedicated tutorial like Calibrate Your OLED TV for HDR & Dolby Vision (2026) to squeeze the most out of your panel.

Choose the right HDMI 2.1 cables

The whole chain is only as strong as the cables you use. For 4K120 and VRR you should only buy certified Ultra High Speed HDMI leads. These are tested for 48 Gbps bandwidth and come with a QR code on the packaging that links to the official HDMI database.

Good starting points on Amazon UK are:

Keep lengths reasonable – ideally 1.5–3 m between devices. For longer runs, look at active or optical HDMI 2.1 cables.

Soundbar and TV recommendations to search for

If your current soundbar doesn’t support eARC or Atmos, upgrading can make as much difference as a new TV. When browsing Amazon UK, use search phrases rather than model numbers – it’s more robust over time and still easy to filter.

Fixing common problems

Dolby Atmos logo doesn’t show up

If your soundbar never reports Atmos even on known Atmos content, check:

TV eARC is enabled and not set to standard ARC.
Digital audio output is on Auto / Bitstream, not PCM stereo.
The app you’re using actually supports Atmos on your TV platform.
You’re using a certified HDMI cable between TV and soundbar.

No 120 Hz or VRR options on the console

Make sure the console is in a true HDMI 2.1 port, that enhanced HDMI mode is enabled on that input, and that you’re not running it through the soundbar. Swap the cable for a known good Ultra High Speed one if the issue persists.

Audio out of sync with the picture

With eARC, audio delay is usually very small, but it can still show up when TVs apply heavy video processing. To reduce it:

Use the TV’s Game mode for consoles.
Turn off extra motion smoothing and heavy noise reduction.
Set any “audio delay” or “lip sync” sliders on the TV and soundbar back to Auto or 0 ms.

Final checklist

Consoles and external boxes connected directly to HDMI 2.1 ports on the TV.
Single HDMI eARC cable between TV and soundbar.
Enhanced / 2.1 mode, VRR and ALLM enabled on the TV.
Bitstream / pass-through audio with Dolby Atmos enabled.
Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cables in all key runs.

Once you’ve ticked all of those, your system is wired the way manufacturers designed it: full-fat 4K120 HDR video direct to the panel, and lossless Atmos audio routed cleanly to the soundbar. No weird workarounds, no unnecessary boxes in the chain – just a simple layout that works and will stay compatible with 2026 hardware and beyond.