Connecting Xbox One to TV Without Cable Box – Complete Guide

Are you thinking of connecting Xbox one to TV without cable box? If yes, then you’re on the right page.

We know the steps to secure your Xbox One to your TV without using a cable box.

Connecting your Xbox One to your TV has many advantages. We do it mostly for convenience. You will have fewer devices to manage. Plus, you can use voice commands to control it.

What’s even more impressive is you get to enjoy an Xbox entertainment center, where all the best apps, movies, TV shows, music, and games are in one place.

To connect Xbox One to a TV without cable, get an outdoor over-the-air antenna and a USB tuner. Then, secure the HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port on your console. Lastly, connect the other end to the HDMI Input on your TV.

Before we move on to the steps on connecting your Xbox One to your TV without a cable box, let us discuss the reasons why you should do it.

Why You Want to Connect Xbox One to TV without Cable Box

Xbox One is more than just a console. It is a smart device with various applications.

Other than gaming, it allows you to stream videos. Here are some reasons you should consider connecting it to your TV.

1. Fewer Devices To Manage

If you connect your Xbox One to your TV, you don’t need to set up a DVD or Blu-ray player.

You can instantly stream videos from streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Video, Sling TV, etc.

2. Voice Commands

You can turn your console off and on using voice commands, which leads us to the next reason you should connect your Xbox One to your TV.

3. Convenience

Since you don’t need to get up and turn on your console, connecting your Xbox One to your TV can help you save time and energy.

4. Xbox Entertainment Center

Connecting your console to your TV lets you enjoy an amazing viewing experience. You get to have all the entertainment you love in one place.

Now that you know why you should connect your Xbox One console to your TV, we can now move on to the actual steps of the setup process.

Connecting Xbox One to TV Without Cable Box – Steps!

If your Xbox is new, first, unbox the console and ensure all components are there. Then, position the console on a stable surface with good ventilation.

If you own an original Xbox One console, we recommend removing the protective tape over the disc tray opening before you do anything else.

Now, you are ready to connect your device to your TV. Follow our step-by-step guide below.

Step #1: Get an Outdoor Over-the-Air Antenna

If you don’t pay for cable, you can get an antenna to watch over-the-air (OTA) TV on your Xbox One.

You will only need an adapter to watch free local broadcasts and non-scrambled channels. It’s possible to install the antenna yourself.

However, we do recommend getting a professional to do it so you don’t have to manually align it.

Note: When getting an over-the-air antenna, choose the outdoor type for better reception. Try adjusting your antenna to ensure you have coverage.

Step #2: Get a USB TV Tuner for Xbox One

If you already have an outdoor over-the-air antenna installed, it is time to select a USB TV tuner for your Xbox One console.

The only US and Canada-supported adapter for this is the Hauppauge Digital TV Tuner for Xbox One, which comes with a basic antenna.

The tuner’s antenna works great and should offer decent reception. However, we still recommend getting an outdoor one as it’s better as the channels are going to be clearer.

Here’s how to install a USB TV tuner for your Xbox One:

1. Connect your antenna to your Hauppauge digital TV tuner.
2. Turn on your Xbox One and download the OneGuide app.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
4. Once done, browse through the available channels.

Note: If you’re still getting bad reception, consider getting an even better antenna. You can also test the signal strength so you can adjust the position of your antenna.

Step #3: Connect Your TV to Your Xbox One

Now, you can connect your TV to your Xbox One. The console system includes one HDMI cable that connects it to an HDMI-compatible display.

Here’s what you should do to secure the connection.

1. Locate the HDMI ports on the Xbox One.
2. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port of your Xbox.
3. Connect the opposite end of the cable to the HDMI input of your TV. 

Alert: If you’re connecting your Xbox One to a sound system, make sure the sound system has an HDMI 2.0 input and is rated 4K.

Note: Do not connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI IN port on your Xbox One. Also, the video output from the console is HDMI only.

Step #4: Setup TV Integration with the OneGuide App

Once you have established a connection between your Xbox One and TV, you can now proceed to set up TV integration with the OneGuide app.

Make sure you have downloaded the app before moving on to the steps below.

1. Open the OneGuide app on your Xbox One.
2. Click Next, then select Choose manually.
3. Enter your postal code and click Next to get the available channels.
4. Select your TV provider, then Antenna.
5. Select your TV lineup and enter your TV network provider.

Note: If the console recognizes your TV, a pop-up message will appear,” Your cable or satellite box has been set up.” Click Next to finish the setup.

Step #5: Finish Setting Up OneGuide with Your TV

You’re on the last step of connecting your Xbox One to your TV without a cable box.

Finish setting up your OneGuide by configuring your console to respond to voice commands.

You can consider this an extra feature. However, doing this allows you to enjoy your Xbox One’s smart features that will make your life a lot easier.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to ‘Turn on your TV when you say Xbox On’ and choose Next.
2. Select your TV manufacturer from the list and click Next.
3. Your console will try to identify the model.
4. After this, you will see a pop-up saying your TV is set up.
5. Now your TV will respond to your voice commands.

Note: If you don’t see your TV manufacturer from the list, click “I don’t see my brand.” Then, enter it manually.

If you have problems with your Xbox entertainment center, you can troubleshoot it with simple solutions. If the signal is poor, adjust your antenna.

If your reception is good, but you cannot access OneGuide, try a different port or restart your console. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to take your device in for repairs.

Read Next: Why Is DVD Not Working on Xbox One?

Bottom Line

When connecting Xbox one to TV without cable box, you need to ensure you have everything you need. To start, get an outdoor over-the-air antenna and a USB TV tuner.

Then, connect your TV to your Xbox One. Finally, set up the TV integration with the OneGuide app and configure the voice commands.