How to connect an old home theater to a modern TV: all the ways

In this article we will look at all possible connection options, including rare cases (for example, when there is not a single audio input on the TV). You will find out what cables And adapters You will need how to set up sound-picture synchronization and avoid common mistakes. And also - a unique life hack for systems without HDMI arches that works even with TVs of 2023.

1. Determine the connectors on the cinema and TV

Before you run to the store for adapters, carefully inspect the back of both devices. At old cinemas (Sony DAV-DZ170, Panasonic SC-HT930, LG LH-T6545 etc.) usually there are:

• 🔴🔵 RCA ("tulips") - analog audio output (often labeled AUDIO OUT)
• 🟡 Composite video (yellow RCA) - if the system supports picture output
• ⚪ Coaxial digital output (DIGITAL AUDIO OUT COAXIAL)
• 🟣 Optical output (OPTICAL or TOSLINK)
• 🔌 SCART - for European models (for example, Philips HTS3555)

On modern TVs (Samsung QLED, LG OLED, Sony Bravia XR) search:

• 📺 HDMI ARC/eARC - the best option for digital audio
• 🎧 3.5mm AUX (mini-jack) - rare, but occurs
• 🔊 Optical input (DIGITAL AUDIO IN OPTICAL)
• 🚫 No analog inputs - typical for models after 2018

Critical detail: if not on TV HDMI ARC or optical input, you will have to use external digital-to-analog converter (DAC). More about this in the section about adapters.

2. Connect via HDMI ARC (best option)

If your cinema supports HDMI (even old models like Yamaha YHT-196 or Onkyo HT-S3400 often equipped with it), and the TV has a port HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), this is the ideal solution. Benefits:

• 🎵 Lossless digital audio (up to Dolby Digital 5.1)
• 🔄 Volume control from the TV remote control
• 📺 Automatic synchronization sound and video

Step by step instructions:

1. Connect port HDMI OUT at the cinema with HDMI ARC on TV high quality cable (version 1.4 and higher).
2. On TV go to Settings → Sound → HDMI Output and select ARC or Bitstream.
3. In the cinema menu, activate HDMI Control or CEC (for control from one remote control).
4. Check the sound by running a test tone through Settings → Diagnostics.

Attention! If the sound comes only from the TV stereo speakers, and not from the cinema speakers:

⚠️ Make sure that you have selected External speaker (External Speaker), and not TV Speaker. On Samsung this is the menu Settings → Sound → Audio Output → Receiver (HDMI).

3. Analog connection via RCA or 3.5mm AUX

If there is no HDMI either in the cinema or on the TV, it remains analog method. For this you will need:

• 🔴🔵 RCA to RCA cable (if the TV has corresponding inputs)
• 🔴⚪ RCA → 3.5 mm adapter (if the TV only has a mini-jack)
• 🔊 Signal booster (if the sound is too quiet)

Connection diagram:

1. Connect red and white RCA to the exits AUDIO OUT at the cinema.
2. Insert the other end of the cable into AUDIO IN on TV or into an adapter for 3.5 mm.
3. In the TV menu (Settings → Sound → Input) select Analog or PCM.

Problems and solutions:

4. Digital connection via optical or coaxial cable

If there is one at the cinema optical (TOSLINK) or coaxial output, and on TV there is a corresponding input, this is the second highest quality option after HDMI. Benefits:

• 🎛️ Digital sound without interference (supports Dolby Digital And DTS)
• 🔌 One cable instead of two (like RCA)
• 📏 Length up to 10 meters without loss of quality

How to connect:

1. Buy optical cable (For example, Amazon Basics Digital Optical Audio Toslink).
2. Connect OPTICAL OUT at the cinema with DIGITAL AUDIO IN on TV.
3. In the TV menu (Settings → Sound → Digital output) select PCM or Bitstream.
4. At the cinema, activate the optical output in Settings → Audio output.

Attention! Coaxial output (COAXIAL) looks similar to RCA, but transmits digital signal. Don't confuse it with analog audio!

⚠️ If there is no sound after connecting, check if the optical output is blocked protective plug (a common problem with Sony And Denon). Also try restarting both devices.

5. Connection via SCART or euro-AV (for European models)

The connector was popular in Europe until the 2010s SCART (or euro-AV). If your cinema (Philips HTS3370, Thomson STH600) is equipped with it, but the TV is not, you will need it adapter.

Adapter options:

• 🔌 SCART → RCA - if there are “tulips” on TV
• 📺 SCART → HDMI - digital converter (for example, Portta PETSC01)
• 🔊 SCART → Optics - for digital audio

Step by step instructions for SCART → HDMI:

1. Connect SCART cable to the cinema.
2. Insert the other end into the adapter (for example, Neoteck SCART to HDMI).
3. Connect the adapter to the TV via HDMI IN.
4. In the adapter menu (if available), select the mode PAL or NTSC (depends on the region).

Important! SCART → HDMI adapters often require external power supply (from USB or power supply). Without it, the picture may flicker or be missing.

6. Alternative methods: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and external DACs

If none of the above methods are suitable (for example, there is no TV no audio input), non-standard solutions remain:

• 📶 Bluetooth transmitter (For example, 1Mii B06 Pro) — connects to the audio output of the cinema and transmits sound to Bluetooth speakers or soundbar.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi audio system (For example, Sonos) - if the cinema supports output to 3.5 mm.
• 🔌 External DAC (For example, Topping D10s) - converts a digital signal (optical/coaxial) to analog for connection to AUX.

Connection example via Bluetooth:

1. Connect Bluetooth transmitter to AUDIO OUT cinema (RCA or 3.5 mm).
2. Turn the transmitter into mode TX (transfer).
3. Activate on your TV Bluetooth and find the device.
4. In TV sound settings, select Bluetooth audio.

Disadvantages of this method:

• ⏱️ Audio delay (latency up to 100 ms)
• 🔋 Limited operating hours from battery
• 🎛️ Audio compression (quality loss when AAC/SBC)

7. Sound settings and troubleshooting

Even after a successful connection, audio problems may occur. Here checklist for diagnostics:

How to set audio delay:

1. On Samsung: Settings → Sound → Advanced → Audio delay.
2. On LG: Settings → Sound → Audio Sync.
3. On Sony: Settings → Display and sound → Audio output → Audio delay.

Attention! If you are using soundbar or receiver in conjunction with a movie theater, the delay can accumulate. In this case, set the synchronization to all devices.

⚠️ On some TVs (for example, Xiaomi Mi TV) audio delay is reset after reboot. Save the settings to your profile or use Game mode (Game Mode), where latency is minimal.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions