If your TV or audio device lacks an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port, you cannot send audio from your TV's built-in apps (like Netflix or YouTube) back to a soundbar or receiver using a single HDMI cable. Instead, you will have to use alternative, often inferior, methods to get sound to your speakers. Sonos +2
Absent an e-arc HDMI port, your best option is the regular HDMI port. It provides a broader sound spectrum than the optical port. Yes connect to HDMI. It's perfectly fine.
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.
A soundbar can still connect to your devices without an HDMI ARC port. It should either have pysical ports like coaxial and optical or be able to use Bluetooth.
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.
What cable do you need for HDMI ARC? HDMI ARC is compatible with HDMI 1.4 cables and all later versions. If you're planning to connect a Blu-ray player or any other content source with video resolutions of 1080p or higher, you should likely spring for at least a High Speed HDMI cable.
If your TV supports ARC (Audio Return Channel), you can connect your TV and soundbar using an HDMI cable, so audio from your connected devices will play on the soundbar. ARC is easy to use, and you will enjoy excellent sound quality.
Most modern TVs come with at least one HDMI ARC port. But if you have an older TV, it might not support this feature. Always check your TV's specifications or user manual to confirm if it supports HDMI ARC. If it does, you can enjoy the benefits of this technology with a compatible soundbar or receiver.
The ARC in HDMI ARC stands for 'Audio Return Channel'. If you use your TV with a soundbar or audio receiver, this feature helps you cut down on cables. In a non-ARC setup, you would need a total of three cables: An HDMI cable to connect your source device to the audio system.
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. With an HDMI 2.0b cable, you can transmit the sound of your television to your soundbar.
If your TV has problems identifying the HDMI-ARC connection, you can manually set it up by accessing the Settings menu. Enter HDMI control / Expert settings menu and make sure HDMI ARC option is turned on. Once the connection is successful, your TV will channel all the output to the ARC connected sound systems.
Can you use ARC? Check the HDMI connections on the back of your TV, soundbar or receiver. If the HDMI port has ARC, it should be marked as such. Both your TV and the soundbar or receiver must have ARC for it to work.
You can still use the Arc without an ARC or eARC port. Just use the optical audio out port on your tv with the adapter and HDMI cable included in your Sonos Arc packaging. This will get you Dolby 5.1 surround sound, but not Atmos.
Check Applicable Products and Categories for details. 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.
If your AV receiver does not support ARC, or you don't plug the HDMI cable into the specific ARC or eARC-supported port, the audio transmission will be disrupted and there will be no audio coming out from the sound system.
HDMI ARC provides better sound quality, supports more audio formats, and simplifies audio transmission with a single HDMI cable. Optical cables, while still reliable, lack support for uncompressed audio and require a separate cable for video.
ARC (Audio Return Channel) is an audio link introduced in 2009 with the HDMI 1.4 standard meant to replace other cables between the TV and the A/V receiver or speaker system.
If you've got an older TV without HDMI or optical ports, then RCA and 3.5mm cables are your best bet for hooking your soundbar up to your TV. These types of cables carry analogue audio rather than digital, so they aren't capable of delivering a full digital surround sound experience.
ARC stands for "Audio Return Channel." This type of HDMI port was introduced way back in 2009 and has become an industry standard. Without ARC, HDMI is able to transmit both audio and video signals, but this transmission only goes one way. If you're only connecting a single device like a sound bar, that might be fine.
Look for optical or RCA audio outputs
Not only can optical audio connections handle compressed (but not lossless) 5.1- and even 7.1-channel Dolby Digital and DTS sound, they're also widely supported by the latest soundbars.
Not all HDMI ports support the same features. Use HDMI 2.1 for PS5/Series X gaming and ARC/eARC for soundbars. Plugging into the wrong port works, but it may result in reduced performance.