HDMI ARC removes the need for an optical cable and allows you to send audio ‘downstream’ from a compatible HDMI socket on your TV to a compatible HDMI ARC socket on a soundbar or AV receiver.
Why should I use HDMI ARC?
HDMI ARC is designed to reduce the number of cables between your TV and an external Home Theatre System or Soundbar. The audio signal is capable of traveling both ways to and from the speakers, which will improve the sound quality and latency of the signal.
Does HDMI ARC make a difference?
While a regular HDMI connector is only able to transmit video images, ARC has an added function that allows you to transmit audio from a TV back to the source, like a receiver or soundbar. This means you only require a single 2.0b cable in order to transmit both video and audio signals.
Is HDMI ARC better quality?
HDMI ARC is capable of providing better sound quality. It also has CEC (consumer electronics control). If you recall from earlier in this article, it allows control of volume and power of both the TV and the external speaker system with one remote controller.
What happens if I don’t have an ARC HDMI?
If the TV has no ARC label on its HDMI ports, connect the HDMI cable to any HDMI ports on the TV and to the HDMI OUT (ARC) on the home theatre system or home audio system. Then connect an optical cable to the optical output port of the TV and the DIGITAL IN (TV) port on the home theatre system or home audio system.
Do I need HDMI ARC for soundbar?
If you want to connect your soundbar using HDMI, your TV will need to support ‘HDMI-ARC’ – it stands for ‘Audio Return Channel’ and means the audio can travel in both directions along the cable.
Can I use regular HDMI cable for ARC?
Any HDMI cable will work universally for HDMI and HDMI ARC/eARC ports. Only a few very outdated HDMI cables could potentially struggle with some of the higher quality audio formats with eARC, but this is unlikely to happen.
What’s better for sound HDMI or optical?
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.
Should I use ARC HDMI for gaming?
Finally, ARC HDMI enables you to enjoy the full capabilities of your Dolby digital surround sound. In most cases, connecting your gaming console or DVD player to the TV directly will reduce the quality of sound.
Can you get Dolby Atmos through ARC?
Most Dolby Atmos audio can be played through HDMI-ARC using the Dolby Digital Plus codec. HDMI-eARC is required to play lossless Dolby Atmos audio using the Dolby TrueHD codec.
Can I use HDMI ARC and optical at the same time?
In some cases, if your TV allows you to send two audio signals at the same time, one cable needs to transmit audio while the other will pass on the video signal. So, you can use the optical cable for the audio signal and then insert HDMI, which will transmit video.
Is HDMI ARC better than Bluetooth?
You should use HDMI ARC if you want the best audio quality and most reliable connection, or use Bluetooth if you want a cleaner setup and don’t care as much about the best audio quality.
Do I need a special HDMI cable for eARC?
Not all HDMI cables can let you experience the full capacity of eARC. Some HDMI cables do not have enough bandwidth to carry high-frame-rate video and high-bit-rate audio channels. However, high-speed HDMI cables with Ethernet are enough to support eARC, just like the next generation Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cables.
Will a soundbar work without ARC?
You won’t get sound from just your tv to your sound bar if you don’t have HDMI ARC/Optical/Digital Coax, if all you want is just tv sound. If you’re connecting other devices to the bar, you’ll get video out to tv and sound to the bar from the devices. Example: No sound from over the air tv without those connections.
Do all TVs have an HDMI ARC?
*Note: Most TVs only have one HDMI ARC or eARC port. If you don’t see the letters “ARC” or “eARC” on the TV’s HDMI ports, then it’s likely that your TV does not support ARC or eARC functionality. You can also refer to your TV’s owner’s manual or visist their support website for more information.
Are all HDMI ports ARC?
All HDMI cables support ARC. Yes, ARC works on your standard, everyday, run-of-the-mill HDMI cable. No special version is needed. If an HDMI cable is marketed as “ARC compatible,” it’s just a gimmick.
Should I use optical audio or HDMI ARC?
To begin with, HDMI ARC is the best choice if you want the absolute best audio quality possible. It supports all the latest audio formats, and lets you use the same remote for all devices. Moreover, it helps you eliminate tangled cables and clutter. On the other hand, optical cables still offer decent sound quality.
Should I use ARC HDMI for gaming?
Finally, ARC HDMI enables you to enjoy the full capabilities of your Dolby digital surround sound. In most cases, connecting your gaming console or DVD player to the TV directly will reduce the quality of sound.
Should I connect my PS5 to HDMI ARC?
You can connect a PS5 to a soundbar if the soundbar has an HDMI input and HDMI output/ARC port. The better way is to connect the PS5 to the HDMI input on the TV and the soundbar to the HDMI ARC/eARC port on the TV. Doing this will prevent the video from lagging and allow the PS5 to perform better.
Can you get Dolby Atmos through ARC?
Most Dolby Atmos audio can be played through HDMI-ARC using the Dolby Digital Plus codec. HDMI-eARC is required to play lossless Dolby Atmos audio using the Dolby TrueHD codec.
What is the difference between HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC?
The main differences between ARC and eARC lie in bandwidth and speed. The enhanced version of the Audio Return Channel has a much higher bandwidth than its predecessor. Bandwidth represents the range of frequencies or amount of data that is being transferred at a time.
Is optical cable better than aux?
There will not be any significant difference. As we have said that AUX is susceptible to line loss and interference, you may not get clear sound performance. On the contrary, an optical connection can provide better channel separation and superior spatial quality.
