Optical audio cables

Optical (Toslink) cable: best value by length

When you need one

• Connecting a soundbar, speakers or an amp to a TV that has no HDMI ARC socket, or to an older soundbar.

Worth knowing

• Optical carries sound only, not picture. Set the TV's sound output to the optical or external speaker setting.
• With optical, the TV remote may not control the soundbar's volume. HDMI ARC does, if both have it.

Quick answers

Optical or HDMI ARC for a soundbar?

HDMI ARC if both the TV and soundbar have it: one remote and better sound formats. Optical if either doesn't.