How to Use Alexa and Amazon Echo Devices to Play TV Sound
Have you ever wished you could make your TV sound play through your Alexa and Amazon Echo devices? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not only possible, but also quite simple. Let’s dive in and discover how to do it!
Step 1: Check Compatibility
The first thing you need to do is ensure that your TV and your Alexa or Amazon Echo devices are compatible. You’ll need a TV that supports audio output through an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or optical audio port. Additionally, you’ll need an Alexa-enabled device, such as an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show.
Step 2: Connect Devices
Next, it’s time to connect your TV and Alexa or Amazon Echo devices. If your TV has an HDMI ARC port, you can simply connect an HDMI cable from that port to the HDMI ARC port on your Alexa-enabled device. If your TV only has an optical audio port, connect an optical audio cable from your TV to the optical audio input on your Alexa-enabled device.
Pro Tip:
If you’re using an Alexa-enabled Fire TV device, you can skip the physical connection and pair your devices wirelessly. Just make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and follow the on-screen instructions to link them together.
Step 3: Set Up TV Control
Now that your devices are connected, it’s time to set up TV control on your Alexa-enabled device. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet, go to the “Devices” tab, and select your Alexa-enabled device. From there, choose “TV & Video” and follow the prompts to complete the setup process.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to enable the “HDMI CEC” or “HDMI Control” feature on your TV. This will allow your Alexa-enabled device to control the power and volume of your TV.
Step 4: Enjoy TV Sound Through Alexa
With everything set up, you’re ready to start enjoying TV sound through your Alexa-enabled device. Simply give a voice command like, “Alexa, play TV sound,” and voila! Your TV audio will now play through your Echo speakers. You can also control the volume, power, and other settings using voice commands.
Isn’t it amazing how easy it can be to enhance your TV experience using Alexa and Amazon Echo devices? Now go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy a whole new level of entertainment!
If you’re looking for a convenient way to listen to audio, Alexa devices like Amazon Echo are perfect for the job. They offer a range of useful features, from personal assistants to streaming audio. And the best part? These newer Alexa devices are incredibly versatile, allowing you to set up multiple devices in one room or have one in every room.
Now, you might be wondering if you can use Alexa with your TV. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to know. Not all Alexa devices are capable of playing audio or linking with TVs, and not all TVs can connect to Alexa. So before you can start enjoying your TV’s audio through your Alexa device, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary requirements.
In this TechJunkie how-to article, I’ll explain how to play your TV audio through an Alexa device and what you need to make it happen!
What You’ll Need to Play TV Audio Through Alexa
Playing TV audio through Alexa is easy as long as you have the right devices. You’ll need:
- An Alexa-supported audio device from Amazon
- A smart TV with Bluetooth capabilities, or
- A Bluetooth adapter connected to your TV
Having a TV that can connect to other devices through Bluetooth is essential if you want to connect it to Alexa devices like the Echo.
The Amazon Echo is a device that typically has both Alexa support and Bluetooth capabilities. However, it’s worth noting that some older versions of the Echo cannot be paired via Bluetooth.
If you have the Amazon Echo Tap, you won’t be able to connect it to any other device. However, the Amazon Echo Dot does support Bluetooth, but the sound quality might not be good enough for enjoying music or TV shows. To get better audio quality, you should look for a second-generation or newer device.
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To check if your TV supports Bluetooth, you can easily find the specs on the product box or by searching online for information about your TV.
How to Connect Alexa Speakers to Your TV
If you want to connect Alexa speakers to your TV, you’ll need to prepare both devices. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Place your TV close to your Alexa speaker so they’re within Bluetooth range.
- Say: “Alexa, disconnect.” This will check for any existing Bluetooth connections and disconnect them.
- Put your TV in Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Next, say: “Alexa, connect.” This will prompt your audio device to start pairing with the TV.
- If the device responds with “Searching…”, it understood your command.
- Find your Alexa speaker in the Bluetooth menu on your TV.
- Alexa will confirm when the connection has been successfully made.
Hey there! If you’re having trouble connecting a new device to your Alexa, try turning off Bluetooth on your other devices, like phones and tablets. Sometimes Bluetooth can get in the way of the connection process.
Now, let’s test things out and make sure everything is working smoothly. Play something on your TV and listen to the audio. You should be able to hear it through your awesome Alexa speakers!
Ready to connect Alexa to FireTV?
If you have an Amazon Firestick, you’re in luck! Just open up the Alexa app on your phone, go to Devices, and add your FireTV. It’s as simple as that!
Just make sure that your phone is connected to Wifi to avoid any issues. Now, you can choose the options to create a group and connect multiple speakers.
Just keep in mind that there might be a slight delay in your audio, so this isn’t a perfect solution for a home theater setup. Especially since you could accidentally activate Alexa and she’ll stop playing your audio.
How to Find Bluetooth Pairing Mode on Your TV
Once you’ve confirmed that your TV supports Bluetooth pairing, you’ll need to know how to access it. Unfortunately, the method varies for each TV model and there’s no universal approach.
Most of the time, you’ll need to go into the ‘Sources’ menu. Here’s an example of how to do it on a Samsung TV that supports Bluetooth:
- Let’s start by pressing the “Settings” button on your remote control.
- Next, we need to go to the “Sound” menu. Navigate there using your remote.
- Once you’re in the “Sound” menu, find and select “Sound Output” by highlighting it and pressing OK.
- Now, you’ll want to locate the “Speaker List” or “Bluetooth Audio Device” option, depending on your TV model.
- Choose the Bluetooth audio device you want to pair with your TV.
- Select “Pair and Connect” to establish the connection.
- Your TV should now be paired with the Alexa device.
If you have connected a Bluetooth adapter to your TV, the process should be similar. Your TV will act as if it has built-in Bluetooth support.
If you want to pair your Amazon Echo, your TV should display it on the screen. Make sure the Echo is in pairing mode and that it is disconnected from any other devices it may be connected to.
Setting Up Multiple Speakers
If you want to create a home theater experience with Alexa, you’re in luck because it is possible. Keep in mind that there may be some lagging issues, but it’s worth a try if you have multiple Echos.
Open the Alexa app on your phone and make sure you’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Echo devices. Tap on “Devices” at the bottom of the screen, then tap the “+” icon in the upper right-hand corner.
When you see the menu, simply tap on ‘Set Up Audio System’.
Now, you have the option to tap on ‘Stereo Pair’ and connect multiple devices. And don’t forget, if you’re using a Firestick, you can also select the ‘Home Theater’ function.
Are There Other Options to Connect Alexa Devices?
Unfortunately, Bluetooth is the only way to pair Alexa with other devices. Some models, like the Amazon Echo Plus, have a 3.5mm audio jack, but it only works for output.
You can connect it to additional speakers to create a sound system, but if you connect it to your TV, it won’t play any sound.
Alexa: Let’s Connect
Now that you know how to link Alexa with your TV, it’s time to connect them. First, check if your TV supports Bluetooth or if you’ll need a suitable Bluetooth adapter.
Once your devices are connected, you’ll be able to watch your favorite TV shows from the comfort of your bed. With a low-volume Alexa device nearby, you won’t disturb anyone else in the room, and you can easily turn it off with a simple voice command.
We hope you’ve found this helpful guide. Check out these other useful articles from TechJunkie:
Do you have any tips for playing TV sound through Alexa and Amazon Echo devices? If so, please share them with us in the comments below!
