

The next version of HDMI ARC actually arrived in 2018 when HDMI 2.1 started to arrive on TVs. In these instances, connecting an extra audio cable or two may be worth the trouble.

It's not common, but depending on your make and model of TV, you might actually wind up with lower sound quality over ARC. This is especially irritating because downstream audio over HDMI can carry the signal with no problem it's purely a limitation of the ARC spec.Įven more irritating, some TVs actually downgrade the audio output over ARC, converting everything to two-channel sound even if it originated as 5.1 audio. Namely, it can't send HD or high-bit-rate audio used by standards like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It may take a couple of extra steps to get everything activated and set up for ARC, depending on your TV's manufacturer and the specific model.īut it also has the same limitations as the S/PDIF standard it replaces.
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By using the ARC connection for audio and the HDMI-CEC functionality (this should be enabled on your TV by default), you can reduce both the number of cables used and the number of remote controls needed for your home theater. You can also use this in conjunction with another HDMI standard, called Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC), which lets you control external devices – like Blu-ray players or satellite boxes – using you TV remote. Instead, the ARC connection lets you output that sound to your soundbar without having to connect with a dedicated audio cable. This is especially important for smart TVs, for which streaming services deliver all content via Wi-Fi, with nothing to feed into a receiver. Audio going to the TV from an antenna, for example, can also be output over HDMI and piped through the soundbar instead of just the TV's built-in speakers. When your TV is connected to a soundbar or speaker system, you can also use the ARC connection to deliver TV audio to your speakers. This is especially helpful for instances in which your TV is wall mounted and you either don't have access to all of the HDMI ports or simply want a cleaner look with fewer cables running to and from the TV. Second, you can run these connections through the soundbar itself, letting you shift the multiple HDMI connections from the TV to the soundbar without requiring any additional setup.
