Vizio M51A-H6 M-Series™ 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar System

Controls & Connections

**Supports .WAV and .MP3 file format playback only

Top of Sound Bar

Back of Subwoofer

Back of Surround Speaker

First-time Setup

• 1 Choose the best possible connection cable type and connect it to your TV.*

* Not all TVs have the audio outputs shown.

To connect the sound bar directly to your other devices (Blu-ray player, game system, etc.) see your device’s user manual.

Be sure the TV port is an audio output, not an audio input.

**Some TVs do not pass through digital audio:

When using the digital input, if there is no audio, try:

• setting the TV output to PCM, or

• connecting directly to your Blu-ray or other source.

• 2 Connect the power cable to the sound bar AC IN as shown. Plug the power cable into an electrical outlet.

Back of Sound Bar

• 3 Connect the surround speakers to the subwoofer using the included surround speaker 3 audio cables. Cable ties are included to wrap unused cable length.

Match the color-coded speaker cable to the matching speaker port color. Blue for left surround and grey is for right surround.

Back of Subwoofer

Connect the power cable to the subwoofer.

Plug the power cable into a power outlet.

The subwoofer should automatically power on and link to the sound bar when plugged in. The LED will glow to solid to confirm.

• 7 Remove the battery cover by gently sliding it away from the remote.

• 8 Insert the included batteries and gently slide the battery cover back into place.

When needed, VIZIO recommends replacing the batteries that came with this remote with two, new Duracell ‘AAA’ alkaline batteries.

• 9 After turning on both your TV and sound bar, it will automatically begin searching for an active input.* The LED indicator on the front of the sound bar will begin cycling in different colors through inputs until an audio source is detected.**

Tip: Pressing the INPUT button will stop the auto detect function.

You can press the INPUT button to switch between audio sources. For example, if you connected your TV to HDMI (ARC), set the sound bar to HDMI eARC.

*Occurs only during first-time set up.

**Auto detect function only occurs once when the sound bar is first powered on. To enable this feature again, you must do a Factory Reset (see the Using Button Combinations on page 23 for more information) or press and hold the INPUT button for 3 seconds.

Using the Remote

Proper Placement

For the best surround sound experience, position the sound bar, subwoofer, and surround sound speakers as shown. The sound bar should be close to ear level.

Sound bar should be centered below the TV.

Subwoofer

Note: Do not block the subwoofer port.

Proper Placement —Front Surround Mode

In rooms where ideal placement of the surround sound speakers is not practical, you can also place the sound bar, subwoofer, and surround sound speakers as shown below. Front Surround Mode will utilize DTS Virtual:X to produce a virtual surround sound experience.

To use this placement, please refer to the Surround Sound mode setting on page 22.

Subwoofer

Note: Do not block the subwoofer port

Sound bar should be centered below the TV.

Mode & Level Settings

Press each setting button and use the Up/Down buttons to access the different settings. Each setting will be displayed on the remote control’s LCD display. The LED indicators will behave differently with each function.

Using Button Combinations

There are other functions that are triggered by different button combinations on the sound bar

Buttons are located here.

Programming the Sound Bar

You can program your sound bar to accept TV remote IR commands.

• Press the SETUP button on the remote, then use the Up/Down buttons to navigate to Prg Remote.

• Use the Next/Previous buttons to toggle through Learn Vol -, Learn Vol +, and Learn Mute.

Point both the sound bar and TV remotes towards the front of the sound bar when programming.

Turn off your TV speakers when programming your sound bar.

Bluetooth Pairing

To pair the sound bar with a Bluetooth device:

• 1. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the sound bar or remote control for five (5) seconds.
• 2. Search for the sound bar (VIZIO M51a) using your Bluetooth device. For more information, refer to the user documentation that came with the device.
• 3. Now you can play audio from your Bluetooth device. Volume can be controlled on both your source device and the sound bar.

The LED indicators on the display panel on the front of the sound bar will light up sequentially from bottom to top and back again. Once the device is paired, the LED indicators will stop flashing.

Using Bluetooth Mode

1. Your sound bar supports music streaming from devices with Bluetooth capability.(Device compatibility will vary, see your device’s documentation for more information.)
2. Once you have paired your source device to the sound bar your device should remain paired (within range).
3. If the source is changed back to Bluetooth, any paired Bluetooth device will reconnect automatically.
4. If the input is changed, the Bluetooth device will disconnect.

Maximizing Signal

A Bluetooth signal has a range of up to 30 feet. Keep in mind that Bluetooth is a compressed audio format, so streamed music may lose some integrity when compared to a wired connection. Try the following if your sound quality is less than optimal:

• If you hear any break-up or disconnect while streaming music from your device, move the source device closer to the sound bar.
• Be sure that there are no solid obstructions in the line-of-sight between the sound bar and the source device.
• Other wireless devices can affect Bluetooth range, including wireless security cameras, wireless video baby monitors, cordless phones, and microwave ovens. Turning off or moving these devices may improve Bluetooth range.

Your sound bar is not equipped with a microphone, so it cannot operate as a hands-free device for a smartphone.

Reduce the volume levels on your device and on the sound bar before pressing Play. High volume levels can damage your hearing.

Connecting to a Voice Assistant

Your sound bar can connect to a Voice Assistant (VA) device through an AUX VA or Bluetooth connection. Once connected, your sound bar will now act as the VA speaker.

Features and Benefits:

• Voice Assistant Dedicated Input: VA can be active on the sound bar even if the sound bar is set to a different input with audio playing.
• Auto Muting: If playing audio from the sound bar, the VA will play over the original source audio for 10 seconds. If continued after the 10 seconds, the VA audio will mute the original source audio. Once the VA audio is stopped the original source audio will resume.

Make sure your sound bar is turned ON and Eco Power setting is turned OFF. Refer to Eco Power mode on page 20 to disable.

Setup Tips:

• If the VA audio is too low, adjust the volume from the VA device.
• If the start of the response from the VA is cut off, enable “Start of Request” from your VA app settings.
• To disable the VA function, use the display remote to turn the Auto VA feature to OFF. Refer to Auto VA on page 20 for more information.

Using the AUX VA Port to Connect

Use a 3.5mm audio cable to connect the AUX VA port on the sound bar to an AUX port on your voice assistant device. If there is no AUX port on the VA device, use a Bluetooth connection instead.

Benefits of this type of connection:

• Simple and easy connection setup.

Using Bluetooth to Connect

Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the sound bar or remote for five (5) seconds. Search for the sound bar (VIZIO M51a) using your VA device app. For more information, refer to the user documentation that came with the device.

Benefits of this type of connection:

• Ability to position the VA device in other locations other than physically connected to the sound bar.
• Ability to place the VA device closer to you so that it can hear commands better.

Advanced Setup

Always use HDMI 2.0 certified cables.

**Supports .WAV and .MP3 file format playback only

Connecting with HDMI ARC

HDMI (ARC) port on your TV*

HDMI cables transmit both audio and video.

To view video from these devices:

1. Turn the sound bar on.
2. Set the sound bar input to HDMI In.
3. Set your TV input to the same HDMI port that the sound bar is connected to.

Dolby Vision® Compatible HDMI ports pass through the highestquality audio and video formats.

* HDMI ARC port location may differ by TV manufacturer. See your TV’s user manual for more information.

What is HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)?

• Using HDMI ARC, your TV can send audio to the sound bar using an HDMI cable.
• Connect your sound bar to your TV’s HDMI ARC port using an HDMI cable that is ARC compatible.

To connect using HDMI* :

1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI 1 (ARC) port on the back of your TV.
2. Connect the other end to the HDMI (eARC) port on your sound bar.
3. From the AUDIO menu on your TV, change the Digital Audio Setting to Dolby Digital or Bitstream.
4. From the SYSTEM menu, enable CEC and ARC (SAC)† functions.
5. From the CEC menu, select Device Discovery to register the sound bar with the TV.

If you want to use the TV remote to control the sound bar volume: Enable System Audio Control from the CEC menu.

* The following steps are for use with a VIZIO TV, steps may differ by TV manufacturer. See your TV’s user manual for more information.

† CEC Function naming may differ by TV manufacturer. See your TV’s user manual for more information.

Connecting a Subwoofer

What does pairing mean? Pairing means to wirelessly connect.

The subwoofer has already been paired with the sound bar by VIZIO. However, the subwoofer may need to be re-linked to the sound bar if there is no sound coming from the subwoofer.

Back of subwoofer

First confirm that the power LED is illuminated. Press and hold the ON/OFF button on the back of the subwoofer for 5 seconds. The LED on the back of the subwoofer will begin to blink.

Button Located at the Top of Sound Bar

Press and hold the Power button on the top of the sound bar for 5 seconds. The LED indicators on the front will flash 3 times. The subwoofer is now linked with the sound bar.

• 1. Place the included wall mounting template against the wall under your TV. Mark the two bracket holes using a pencil.

• 2. Then place the shorter end of the bracket on the two holes you just marked and screw into the wall. Be sure your screws are attached to wood studs, drywall anchors (for drywall), or concrete anchors (for brick/concrete walls).

Bracket Screw* (Not included with sound bar)

Suggested screw size: 3.5 mm diameter, 1.63" minimum length

Screws for attaching the bracket to the wall are not included. Choose the screw type and length appropriate to your home’s construction. If in doubt, consult a professional installer.

* Do not use any of the included screws for the wall mount installation. These are not intended for mounting.

• 3. Place sound bar onto the L-shaped bracket and use the included bracket screws to attach.

* Do not use any of the included screws for the wall mount installation. These are not intended for mounting.

Wall-mount Screw (Included with sound bar)

Wall-mounting the Surround Speakers

To wall-mount the surround speakers:

1. Attach the wall mount screw to the back of the surround speaker.
2. Secure the wall mount bracket to the wall. (Bracket screw is not included.)
3. Slide the speaker on to the wall bracket. Ensure the wall mount screw is secured within the bracket grooves.

Be sure your screws are attached to wood studs, drywall anchors (for drywall), or concrete anchors (for brick/concrete walls). Wall mounting hardware is not included.

If you are unfamiliar with power tools or the layout of electrical wiring in the walls of your home, consult a professional installer.

Bracket Screw* (Not included with sound bar)

Suggested screw size: 3.5 mm diameter, 1.63" minimum length

* Do not use any of the included screws for the wall mount installation. These are not intended for mounting.

Help & Troubleshooting

There is no power.

• Press the POWER button on the remote control or on the top of your sound bar.
• Ensure the power cord is securely connected.
• Plug a different device into the electrical outlet to verify that the outlet is working correctly.

There is no sound.

• Increase the volume. Press VOLUME UP on the remote control or on the top of your sound bar.
• Press MUTE on the remote to ensure the sound bar is not muted.
• Press INPUT on the remote or on the top of your sound bar to select a different input source.
• When using the Digital Optical input, if there is no audio: (A) try setting the TV output to PCM or (B) connect directly to your Blu-ray/other source, some TVs do not pass through digital audio.
• On digital inputs, the input LEDs will flash rapidly and announce “format not supported” if an unsupported format is present. Set the source to output PCM.
• Your TV may be set to variable audio output. Confirm that the audio output setting is set to FIXED or STANDARD, not VARIABLE. Consult your TV’s user manual for more detailed information.
• If using Bluetooth, ensure that the volume on your source device is turned up and that the device is not muted.

I hear buzzing or humming.

• Ensure all cables and wires are securely connected.
• Connect a different source device (TV, Blu-ray player, etc) to see if the buzzing persists. If it does not, the problem may be with the original device.
• Connect your device to a different input on the sound bar.

The remote isn’t working.

• Replace the remote batteries with new ones.
• Point the remote directly at the center of the sound bar when pressing a button.
• If using a Bluetooth connection, some of the buttons on the remote may not be supported by the streaming application.

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