Setting Up Speaker Systems with Intel® NUC

Documentation

Install & Setup

000008497

07/13/2020

This article describes the steps for setting up a Home Theater PC (HTPC) system that includes an AV receiver or a sound bar.

Tips for success
  • The ports and connections on your computer, speaker system, AV receiver, and TV can differ from the examples shown. Always refer to the documentation that came with your HTPC equipment.
  • We recommend you install the latest BIOS version and graphics driver version for the Intel NUC, available on Download Center.
  • Check to see if there's an HDMI firmware update available for your Intel NUC.
  • Check your TV and AV receiver manufacturer websites to see if there are firmware updates available for them.

Hardware Required

  • Intel® NUC (configured with a supported operating system and the latest BIOS and device drivers from Download Center.)
  • AV receiver with 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system or sound bar
  • Television with remote control

Click to select your setup:

AV receiver, 5.1 speaker system, and television

Place the speakers

Place the speakers

Speaker abbreviations:

FL = Front Left Speaker
FR = Front Right Speaker
C = Center
SW = Subwoofer
BL = Back Left Speaker
BR = Back Right Speaker

Connect the speakers to the AV receiver

Connect the speakers to the AV receiver
Connect the Intel NUC to the AV receiver
Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the Intel NUC. Connect the other end to an HDMI IN port on the AV receiver. (A mini DisplayPort or USB Type-C to HDMI cable can also be used).

Connect Intel NUC to AV receiver

Connect the AV receiver to TV
Using another HDMI cable, connect one end of the cable from the HDMI OUT port on the AV receiver to an HDMI IN port on the television.
Connect AV receiver to TV

Select the input source
Using the television's remote control, press the Input or Source button to select the HDMI port the receiver is connected to.

Select input source

AV receiver, 7.1 speaker system, and television

Place the speakers

Speaker connection

Speaker abbreviations:

FL = Front Left Speaker
FR = Front Right Speaker
C = Center
SW = Subwoofer
SL: Side Left Speaker
SR: Side Right Speaker
BL = Back Left Speaker
BR = Back Right Speaker

Connect the speakers to the AV receiver

Connect the speakers to the AV receiver

Connect the Intel NUC to the AV receiver
Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the Intel NUC. Connect the other end to an HDMI IN port on the AV receiver. (A mini DisplayPort or USB Type-C to HDMI cable can also be used).

Connect Intel NUC to AV receiver

Connect the AV receiver to TV
Using another HDMI cable, connect one end of the cable from the HDMI OUT port on the AV receiver to an HDMI IN port on the television.
Connect AV receiver to TV

Select the input source
Using the television's remote control, press the Input or Source button to select the HDMI port the receiver is connected to.
Select input source

Sound bar with just one HDMI IN port and television

Place the sound bar
Place the sound bar

SW: Subwoofer

Connect your devices

If you want to connect more than one device to it, you'll need to use an HDMI switch.

Connect your devices to a HDMI switch

Steps:
  1. Connect the Intel NUC and any other devices to INPUTS on the HDMI switch.
  2. Connect the OUTPUT on the switch to the HDMI IN port on the sound bar.
  3. Connect the HDMI OUT port to an HDMI IN port on the television.


Set the switch to the Intel NUC

Set the switch to the Intel NUC

Select the input source for the television
Select input source

Using the remote control for the television, press the Input or Source button to select the HDMI port the HDMI switch is connected to.

Sound bar with multiple HDMI IN ports and television

Place the sound bar
Place the sound bar

SW: Subwoofer

Connect the Intel NUC to the sound bar
Connect the Intel NUC to the sound bar

Steps:
  1. Connect the Intel NUC and any other devices to HDMI IN ports on the sound bar.
  2. Connect the HDMI OUT port on the sound bar to an HDMI In port on the television.


Select the input source
Select input source

Using the remote control for the television, press the Input or Source button to select the HDMI port the sound bar is connected to.

Related topics
Surround sound setup guide for Intel NUC