HDMI ARC and optical cables both share the same purpose. The only significant difference in terms of function is that an optical cable won’t transmit video. But this shouldn’t be an issue, since you’ve already got video on your HD television.
Can I use HDMI instead of optical cable?
Both cables can be had pretty cheap. The biggest difference is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on streaming services such as Dolby Atmos and DTS HD Master Audio. These formats can’t be transmitted across optical. In terms of simplicity, HDMI also passes video signals.
What sounds better HDMI ARC or optical?
Although optical is a fine connection for older systems where it’s the only connection option, HDMI offers a much greater array of audio technology support, leading to better quality audio for watching modern and remastered content.
Does arc require optical?
For ARC and eARC connections, you can connect the soundbar to a TV with a single HDMI cable; otherwise, you’ll just need to connect an optical audio cable in addition to an HDMI cable.
Can I use HDMI instead of optical cable?
Both cables can be had pretty cheap. The biggest difference is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on streaming services such as Dolby Atmos and DTS HD Master Audio. These formats can’t be transmitted across optical. In terms of simplicity, HDMI also passes video signals.
What sounds better HDMI ARC or optical?
Although optical is a fine connection for older systems where it’s the only connection option, HDMI offers a much greater array of audio technology support, leading to better quality audio for watching modern and remastered content.
Do I need both HDMI ARC and optical?
In short, if you have HDMI ARC on both your TV and soundbar, then use HDMI ARC. If you don’t have HDMI ARC, then use digital optical. Most soundbars support less than 5.1 channels of audio, so in terms of audio quality, there isn’t really a difference.
Do I need optical cable for soundbar?
You’ll get the best sound quality via an HDMI cable. Most soundbars and TVs have an HDMI port. Keep in mind you need to use an HDMI ARC or eARC cable and port. If you don’t have this, you’ll need an optical cable in addition to an HDMI cable.
Does HDMI ARC require a special cable?
Using HDMI ARC does not require a new HDMI cable. Any HDMI cable should be able to cope with the requirements – it’s only when we move on to eARC this could (potentially) become an issue. But more on that later.
Can optical cable carry Dolby Atmos?
Optical cables don’t carry Atmos, however. Connecting a source like Blu-ray directly to the receiver/soundbar has another benefit: Doly Atmos, Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio. If you have an older TV these higher-fidelity formats can’t be sent over ARC. But they will be able to with eARC.
What is HDMI ARC used for?
The Audio Return Channel (ARC) connects your TV and audio system with a single High Speed HDMI® cable and eliminates the need for an additional composite audio or optical cable.
Do you have to use optical audio with HDMI?
No, they don’t. If you are sending the same audio format, it will sound the same regardless of whether you are using optical or HDMI. The main advantage of HDMI over an optical connection is that HDMI supports more audio formats. Optical and HDMI both support uncompressed stereo – and 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS audio.
What is the best connection for a soundbar?
The best way to connect your soundbar to your TV is with an HDMI cable. This is because HDMI transfers audio digitally, which means it will be raw and uncompressed. Also, HDMI cables can handle the most high-end soundbars, including ones that support surround sound.
Does HDMI ARC work on any TV?
How do I connect my soundbar to my TV with HDMI ARC?
1 Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port on the back of the soundbar. 2 Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the ARC HDMI IN port on your TV. 3 Power on any external device connected to your TV, and then power on your TV and soundbar.
Does HDMI carry audio?
HDMI is renowned for its video quality, but it also can carry audio without the need for multiple cables. HDMI supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD for 7.1-channel sound for loss-less, theatre-quality audio. HDMI 1.4 also supports audio return channel, which sends sound from your TV tuner to your receiver.
Can I use HDMI instead of optical cable?
Both cables can be had pretty cheap. The biggest difference is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on streaming services such as Dolby Atmos and DTS HD Master Audio. These formats can’t be transmitted across optical. In terms of simplicity, HDMI also passes video signals.
What sounds better HDMI ARC or optical?
Although optical is a fine connection for older systems where it’s the only connection option, HDMI offers a much greater array of audio technology support, leading to better quality audio for watching modern and remastered content.
Does arc require optical?
For ARC and eARC connections, you can connect the soundbar to a TV with a single HDMI cable; otherwise, you’ll just need to connect an optical audio cable in addition to an HDMI cable.
Why is optical better than HDMI?
Audio. Fiber optical cables support surround sound with up to 5.1 channels. While HDMI supports Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD formats, and DTS HD. Almost all the television programming gets broadcast in surround sound but there are many Blu-ray discs offering enhanced sound quality.
How do I use HDMI ARC with soundbar?
Follow the steps below to connect your ARC TV to the soundbar: 1 Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port on the back of the soundbar. 2 Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the ARC HDMI IN port on your TV. 3 Power on any external device connected to your TV, and then power on your TV and soundbar.
How do I connect my optical soundbar to my HDMI TV?
Connect one end of the HDMI cable (sold separately) to the HDMI IN port on your TV. Connect the other end to the TV OUT (ARC) port on your sound bar. Then, connect an optical audio cable from the TV’s Optical digital audio out to OPTICAL IN on your sound bar (this is necessary to hear the TV audio).
