PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Usually, you do not need a special “4K HDMI” cable just to send television audio to a soundbar. Connect the TV’s HDMI port marked ARC or eARC to the soundbar’s matching HDMI OUT (TV ARC/eARC) port. The cable matters when it also carries 4K video, when a source is connected through the soundbar, or when you need reliable eARC operation. In those cases, match the cable category and the soundbar’s documented video capabilities to the signal you actually use.
ARC/eARC, cable certification, and 4K video passthrough are separate compatibility questions. A newer TV port cannot upgrade an ARC-only soundbar, and an eARC connection does not prove that the soundbar can pass 4K, HDR, high refresh rates, or gaming features. Check the exact TV and soundbar manuals before buying hardware.
What “4K HDMI” means in a soundbar setup
“4K HDMI” is consumer shorthand, not one universal cable specification. HDMI cables are sold under categories such as High Speed, Premium High Speed, and Ultra High Speed. Their suitability depends on the signal: audio return from the TV, 4K video from a source, or both at once.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A soundbar installation normally has one of two signal paths:
#1 Best Overall
- Top Technology--8K@60HZ: This 8K Ultra-High Speed 2.1 HDMI Cable uses the most cutting-edge technology, which is compatible with 8K@60HZ,4K@240HZ and 4K@120HZ clearly displays every particle, and accurately processes every signal source.
- Upgrade Revolution: Highwings Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable 2.1 8K supports 48Gbps (6GB/s) which can will no longer be stuck or dropped frames when watching video. It is also backward compatible with HDMI 2.0b/2.0a/1.4/1.3/1.2/1.1 versions.
- For Game Enthusiasts: This 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable 2.1 can achieve a super smooth picture of 4K@120HZ. Its latest game mode supports variable refresh rate, maximizes the value of the graphics card and CPU to obtain a smoother and more detailed picture.
- Reinforced high-quality materials: This 8K HDMI Cord uses Highwings' most popular classic style. The tail's anti-bending design has been upgraded to make it more durable. The military grade tensile nylon material also greatly extends its life.
- The ultimate perfectionist: Highwings every parts of the cable has been put through rigorous the performance tests in the laboratory. After we've combined every flawless part into a perfect 8K cable and it can be presented to you.
- Audio return: The TV sends sound from its built-in apps, tuner, or attached devices back to the soundbar over ARC or eARC.
- Video passthrough: A source such as a disc player, streaming box, console, or PC sends video and audio into the soundbar’s HDMI input. The soundbar forwards the video through its HDMI output to the TV.
ARC and eARC describe the first path. They do not automatically describe the second. A bar may accept eARC audio from a TV while having no HDMI input, or it may have an input that supports only a limited video mode.
HDMI.org describes eARC this way: “eARC enables the audio to a TV that originates from cable, satellite, streaming or source devices to be sent to an AVR or sound bar through a single HDMI cable.” That is an audio-return function, not a guarantee of 4K video switching.
Which cable should you use?
Choose the cable according to the most demanding signal in the connection and the manufacturer’s instructions. For a TV-to-soundbar ARC link carrying ordinary television audio, the cable does not need to be marketed as “4K” or “HDMI 2.1.” If the same link must operate eARC reliably, use a cable category that the manufacturers and HDMI certification guidance recognize for that configuration.
Rank #2
- Superior Display, Swift Connectivity: Elevate your viewing experience to unparalleled clarity with 8K@60Hz, and enjoy smoother visuals and reduced lag with support for 4K@120Hz and 4K@60Hz.
- Quick and Seamless Video Transfer: With the latest HDMI technology, stream or transfer videos without interruptions, and witness the power of up to 48 Gbps in bandwidth, ensuring consistently clear content.
- Lasts Longer, Performs Stronger: This cable is designed to withstand up to 1,000 bends throughout its lifespan, meaning fewer replacements and continuous peace of mind.
- One Cable, Many Solutions: Whether you're connecting tablets, laptops, HDMI devices, projectors, or desktop screens, this cable effortlessly connects them all.
- What You Get: HDMI Cable (6 ft, 8K), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Connection or goal | Practical cable guidance | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| TV ARC to soundbar ARC | Use a compliant HDMI cable suitable for the equipment. | The TV and bar must both support ARC; a 4K label is not required for audio return alone. |
| TV eARC to soundbar eARC | Follow both manuals; a certified cable intended for eARC is the safer choice when reliability matters. | eARC requires compatible ports at both ends. An eARC TV does not add eARC to an ARC-only bar. |
| 4K Ultra HD video playback | Yamaha recommends a Premium High Speed HDMI cable for 3D and 4K Ultra HD video playback. | The connected devices must also support the desired resolution, refresh rate, HDR format, and copy-protection requirements. |
| eARC data transfer | Sony recommends a High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet for eARC transfer. | Follow the exact model documentation; cable category names alone do not establish every feature. |
| Highest-resolution video modes and eARC | HDMI.org says its Ultra HDMI Cables are designed to support eARC and its highest resolution modes. | Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet and High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet might operate eARC, but HDMI.org says those types are not certified for eARC operation. |
The practical takeaway is not that every eARC installation requires a cable marketed as HDMI 2.1. The device requirements, cable certification, length, and signal determine the appropriate choice. A cable that works for stereo or compressed TV audio may not be the right choice for an eARC link carrying high-bitrate audio, and a cable that handles audio may still be irrelevant to a soundbar’s lack of 4K passthrough.
ARC and eARC: what changes?
ARC sends television audio back to a compatible receiver or soundbar through the HDMI connection. eARC is the newer return channel with substantially more data capacity and support for high-bitrate and uncompressed audio formats listed by HDMI.org. Sony’s 2026 support article describes eARC as providing data-transfer bandwidth of up to 37 Mbs; that unit is reproduced as printed in Sony’s article.
| Feature | ARC | eARC |
|---|---|---|
| Port requirement | ARC-compatible TV and soundbar ports | eARC-compatible TV and soundbar ports for eARC features |
| Purpose | Returns TV audio to the soundbar | Returns TV audio with higher data capacity |
| Audio capability | More limited than eARC and dependent on the devices | Supports high-bitrate and uncompressed formats listed by HDMI.org, subject to device support |
| Video passthrough | Not implied | Not implied |
If an ARC-only soundbar is connected to an eARC TV, the system remains ARC-limited. The TV’s newer port does not upgrade the soundbar. Conversely, an eARC soundbar cannot create eARC audio if the TV has only ARC.
Rank #3
- 【HDMI 2.1 Certification】Only 1% of HDMI cables on the market have passed HDMI 2.1 certification. Scan with the QR code Scanner app for verification
- 【120Hz/144Hz Gaming Excellence】Elevate your gaming experience with smooth 4K@120Hz gameplay for PS5 and Xbox, and ultra-responsive 4K@144Hz for PC. Whether you’re pushing your console or PC to the limit, enjoy unparalleled performance across all platforms(Requires game to support 4K@120Hz)
- 【Exclusive "E-Braid" Technology】Experience unprecedented durability with our unique double-layer fishnet winding and nylon braiding techniques. Copper cores and ferrite magnetic beads ensure uninterrupted signals, eliminating black screens and flickering
- 【HDMI 2.1-48Gbps Bandwidth】Unleash the full potential of your devices with lightning-fast data transfer rates, ensuring seamless connectivity for all your high-definition needs
- 【Next-Level Resolution Support】Dive into the future with support for mind-blowing resolutions, including 10K 8K@60Hz, 12-bit; 5K@120Hz/90Hz, 12-bit; 4K@144Hz/120Hz, 12-bit; and 2K@240Hz/165Hz
Setup 1: TV apps or devices connected to the TV
Use this arrangement when your console, streaming box, antenna, cable receiver, or other source is plugged into the TV, or when you mainly use the TV’s internal apps.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Identify the ports. On the TV, find the HDMI socket labeled ARC or eARC. On the soundbar, find HDMI OUT (TV ARC), HDMI OUT (eARC), or equivalent wording. Do not assume that every HDMI socket on the bar supports audio return.
- Connect the cable. Run one HDMI cable directly from the TV’s ARC/eARC port to the soundbar’s matching audio-return output. Avoid routing this particular cable through another device.
- Set the TV audio output. In the TV’s sound or audio menu, select HDMI ARC/eARC, Receiver, External Speaker, or the equivalent label used by that manufacturer. Some televisions require a separate setting for digital audio format.
- Enable HDMI control if required. Manufacturers may call HDMI control CEC or use a brand-specific name. Enable the control and audio-return options when the manuals require them; otherwise the TV may not discover or wake the bar correctly.
- Select the soundbar input. Choose the bar’s TV ARC/eARC input rather than an optical, Bluetooth, or ordinary HDMI input.
- Test several sources. Play a TV app, a broadcast channel, and an attached HDMI source. Confirm that sound returns without changing the video path. If a format is unavailable, use the TV’s supported digital-audio setting rather than assuming a different cable will add an unsupported codec.
In this arrangement, the HDMI cable carries the television’s returned audio. The TV handles the picture, so the soundbar’s ability to pass 4K video is not relevant unless you later move a source to the bar.
Setup 2: A source connected through the soundbar
Use this arrangement only when the soundbar has an HDMI input and its specifications confirm the video features you need.
Rank #4
- 4K HDMI UHD Transmission, Stunning Audio & Visual for Home Theater & Gaming： Enhanced with gold-plated connectors for high-speed, interference-free signal transmission. Supports 4K*2K UHD resolution (3840×2160), delivering crystal-clear imagery and full HD stereo sound—perfect for immersive home theater movie nights, gaming marathons and big-screen TV viewing
- High-Speed Bandwidth, Instant Transmission for Real-Time Playback： Fully compliant with High-Speed HDMI cable 2.0 standard for max-speed data transfer. Blazing-fast transmission of audio, video and image files with zero buffering, ideal for 4K streaming, real-time gaming and seamless laptop-to-projector presentations. Plug-and-play design, no driver installation needed for effortless one-step connection
- HDMI 2.0 Standard Compliant, Universal Compatibility for All A/V Devices： Built to fully comply with official HDMI 2.0 standards after rigorous professional quality testing. Featuring broad backward compatibility with HDMI 1.4/1.3/1.2 generations, this cable effortlessly pairs with smart TVs, game consoles, Blu-ray players, projectors, laptops and set-top boxes. Enjoy stable plug-and-play connectivity across every piece of your home audio-visual gear.
- Premium Crafted Material, Ultra Durable for Daily Home Use & Frequent Use： Exclusive SR joint design at both ends to prevent joint cracking at the source. Rigorously lab-tested to withstand over 15,000 bends without performance loss, built to endure daily plug-and-unplug, messy entertainment area setups and regular home use—ensuring long-lasting durability against daily wear and tear hdmi cable
- 100% Component Inspected, Uncompromising Quality for Long-Term A/V Enjoyment： Every single component of the cable undergoes multiple rigorous lab tests for performance and sturdiness. Only flawlessly tested parts are selected for assembly, guaranteeing top-tier product performance and extended service life with strict quality control—reliable for years of home theater, gaming and everyday big-screen use hdmi
- Connect the source to HDMI IN. Plug the console, disc player, streaming device, or PC into the soundbar’s HDMI input.
- Connect the soundbar to the TV. Run a second HDMI cable from the soundbar’s HDMI OUT to an ordinary HDMI input on the TV. The TV input does not need to be the ARC/eARC socket for this video-passthrough path.
- Select the soundbar input. Switch the bar to the HDMI input used by the source. Select the corresponding TV input for the bar’s HDMI output.
- Verify the specification. Check the bar’s manual for the source’s resolution, refresh rate, HDR format, audio format, and any copy-protection version. “4K passthrough” without a refresh-rate or HDR detail is not enough to confirm a particular console or PC mode.
- Set the source conservatively if needed. If the screen is black or HDR disappears, temporarily lower the source’s resolution or refresh rate. This can identify a passthrough limit, but it is not a permanent fix for a bar that lacks the required mode.
A soundbar can advertise a 4K-compatible input and still fail to pass a specific 4K/120, HDR, or gaming signal. The required combination must be stated in the model documentation.
Gaming and high-frame-rate video
For a console or PC, compare the exact output mode you intend to use with the soundbar’s HDMI input and output specifications. Resolution alone is insufficient: refresh rate, HDR, variable-refresh features, color format, and other gaming capabilities can determine whether the signal passes correctly.
If the bar’s documentation does not confirm the required mode, connect the console or PC directly to a compatible TV input. Let the TV return audio to the soundbar over ARC or eARC. This keeps the video path independent of the soundbar’s passthrough limits while preserving the audio-return connection. Confirm the exact equipment manuals before relying on a particular format or feature.
Best Value
- Certified UHD 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable: Highwings Certified Ultra High Speed UHD HDMI 2.1 Cable uses the most cutting-edge technology, is compatible with10K, 8K 60Hz, 4K 240Hz 120Hz, clearly displays every particle, and accurately processes every signal source
- Upgraded Revolution-HDMI 2.1: Highwings UHD HDMI Cable 6ft conforms to the standard HDMI 2.1 version, it has a qualitative leap from 18Gbps to 48Gbps (6GB/s) directly for the transmission speed , there will no longer be stuck or dropped frames when watching video
- High-Quality Materials: Highwings 6ft UHD HDMI Cable uses the most popular classic style, the upgraded strength of the aluminum alloy shell and the tail's anti-bending design make it more durable.The military grade tensile nylon material greatly makes it last longer
- Design For Game Enthusiasts: This UHD HDMI CORD can achieve a super smooth picture of 4K@120Hz, 8K@60Hz and 10K. Its latest game mode supports variable refresh rate, maximizes the value of the graphics card and CPU, elevate gaming experience to a whole new level
- The Ultimate Perfectionist: Each UHD HDMI cable even every part has been put through rigorous tests. We've combined every flawless part into a perfect 8K HDMI cable, after pass the performance tests in the laboratory and you get a perfect HDMI cable 2-pack
How to check a soundbar before buying a cable
Read the TV and soundbar specifications together. Use this checklist rather than treating “4K HDMI” as one blanket property:
- Does the TV have an HDMI ARC or eARC port?
- Does the soundbar have the matching ARC or eARC port?
- Is the bar’s port labeled HDMI OUT (TV ARC/eARC), or is it only an ordinary HDMI output?
- Does the bar include a separate HDMI input for external sources?
- What resolution and refresh rate does that input/output combination support?
- Which HDR formats are explicitly listed?
- Are the gaming features you need supported through passthrough?
- Which audio formats are accepted over ARC or eARC?
- What cable category and maximum length do the manufacturers specify?
- Does the cable carry Ethernet if the chosen eARC configuration calls for it?
Record the exact model numbers before shopping. Two soundbars in the same product family can have different HDMI inputs, and a regional or revised edition can have different specifications.
Troubleshooting common problems
No sound from the TV
- Confirm that the cable is in the TV’s ARC/eARC socket, not a visually identical HDMI input.
- Confirm that the other end is in the soundbar’s HDMI OUT (TV ARC/eARC) port.
- Set the TV speaker output to HDMI ARC/eARC or External Receiver and select the bar’s TV input.
- Enable HDMI control and audio-return settings when required by the manuals.
- Power off both devices, disconnect the HDMI cable, reconnect it firmly, and power the TV and soundbar back on to repeat the handshake.
- If the bar is ARC-only, select an ARC-compatible audio setting on the TV; an eARC-only mode cannot be created by changing the cable.
Picture works, but audio does not
This usually indicates that the video path and audio-return path were confused. A source plugged into the TV should send audio back through the TV’s ARC/eARC port. A source plugged into the bar should use the bar’s HDMI input and output. Recheck both paths and the selected inputs before replacing the cable.
4K video is black, unstable, or missing HDR
- Check whether the soundbar supports the source’s exact resolution, refresh rate, and HDR mode.
- Try a certified cable category recommended for the video signal and keep the run as short as the installation allows.
- Temporarily connect the source directly to the TV. If the picture returns, the soundbar’s passthrough capability or handshake is the likely limit.
- Use the TV’s ARC/eARC connection to return audio from the directly connected source, provided the TV and bar support that path.
eARC is unavailable or drops out
- Verify that both the TV and soundbar explicitly support eARC; an ARC-only bar remains ARC-limited.
- Check the manuals for the required HDMI control, eARC, and digital-audio settings.
- Use a cable category certified or recommended for eARC when reliability matters. HDMI.org notes that some older Ethernet cable categories might work but are not certified for eARC operation.
- Test another cable only after confirming the ports and settings. A cable cannot add eARC to hardware that lacks it.
When a cable upgrade is actually justified
Replace or buy a different cable when one of these conditions applies:
- You are sending 4K Ultra HD video through the soundbar and the manufacturer specifies Premium High Speed HDMI for that playback mode.
- You need an eARC connection and the existing cable is not a category or certification recommended for that configuration.
- The cable is damaged, too long for the installation, or physically loose.
- A direct-TV test works but the soundbar path fails at the desired video mode, and the bar’s manual confirms that the mode should be supported.
Do not buy a cable solely because the TV resolution is 4K if your only requirement is TV audio over ARC. Spend the effort first on matching ports, enabling the required settings, and verifying the soundbar’s documented capabilities.
The decision in one sentence
For TV-to-soundbar audio, use the ARC/eARC ports and a cable appropriate to the documented ARC/eARC configuration; for 4K video routed through the bar, use a cable and soundbar passthrough specification that explicitly support your resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and gaming requirements.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
