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[RUDY479]

I have a Roku Ultra and I have been trying to connect my Vizio soundbar with no success. Is this an option?

[RokuArjiemar · Accepted solution]

Hello! @RUDY479,

Thanks for sharing on the Roku Community!

We appreciate you contacting us about setting up your Roku Ultra with your soundbar. We are glad to assist.

All the movies and TV shows accessible through your Roku streaming player are available in stereo; however, some are also available in surround sound. Although most Roku streaming players do not decode surround sound formats such as Dolby^® Digital Plus^™ or DTS^®, they can pass through the signal to an audio/video receiver (AVR), soundbar, or TV, that is capable of decoding surround sound.

• Surround sound pass-through is only available when your Roku streaming player is connected via HDMI^® or optical (when available).
• Although some Roku players can decode Dolby Digital^™, the audio will be output in stereo unless your player is connected to an AVR or soundbar

Using HDMI for audio

Use HDMI for both video and audio to achieve the best performance with the simplest configuration. If your Roku player is capable of outputting 4K Ultra HD or HDR, be sure to also review the 4K Ultra HD requirements and setup instructions or the HDR requirements and setup instructions.

Once your Roku player is ready to be connected to your other devices, use the recommended option below that matches your configuration.

• Tip: Configuring an AVR or soundbar can be complicated. If you have trouble, consider seeking help from a service like the Best Buy Geek Squad.

1. Connecting directly to a surround sound-compatible TV
   

   

• 1. Connect the end of the HDMI cable that is not attached to your Roku player, or connect your Streaming Stick to an available HDMI input on your TV.

2. Connecting to an AVR or soundbar with HDMI ports
   

   Some AVRs and soundbars are designed to be a single point where you can switch audio and video between your devices connected via HDMI (e.g., Roku player, cable box, game console). Refer to the manufacturer documentation to determine if your AVR or soundbar has this capability.

   

• 1. Connect the end of the HDMI cable that is not attached to your Roku player, or connect your Streaming Stick to an available HDMI input on your AVR or soundbar.
  2. Connect a Premium High-Speed HDMI Cable to an output on the AVR or soundbar. Connect the opposite end to an available HDMI input on your TV.

3. Connecting to an ARC (audio return channel) capable TV and AVR or soundbar
   

   If your TV and AVR or soundbar both support ARC, this configuration can be simpler because the AVR or soundbar can easily receive audio from the TV’s tuner and other devices connected to your TV’s HDMI inputs, not just the Roku streaming player. This configuration allows you to switch audio and video between your devices from your TV.

   

• 1. Connect the end of the HDMI cable that is not attached to your Roku player, or connect your Streaming Stick to an available HDMI input on your TV.
  2. Connect a Premium High-Speed HDMI Cable to the HDMI port on your TV that supports ARC (it is usually marked “ARC”). Connect the opposite end to an HDMI port on the AVR or soundbar that supports ARC. Both the TV and AVR or soundbar must support ARC. Consult your TV and AVR or soundbar product documentation for more information about this requirement.

For more information, visit this link: How to set up your Roku streaming player for surround sound

Thanks,
Arjiemar