HDMI ARC sends audio from your TV to a soundbar or AV receiver over an HDMI cable; eARC is the enhanced version, built for higher-bitrate and uncompressed multichannel audio. Use the TV’s labeled ARC or eARC port and the matching port on the audio system. Whether a format works depends on every device in the signal path, not just the port label.
What HDMI ARC does
ARC means Audio Return Channel. It lets a TV send audio back to an external audio system through HDMI. That can include sound from the TV’s built-in streaming apps or from a cable box, satellite receiver, or other source connected to the TV. The same HDMI connection carries audio to the soundbar or AV receiver, so a separate audio cable is not needed for that return path. HDMI Licensing Administrator describes eARC as sending audio originating from cable, satellite, streaming, or source devices to an AVR or soundbar through a single HDMI cable.
ARC is not available on every HDMI socket. Find the TV port labeled “ARC,” “eARC,” or “eARC/ARC,” then connect it to the corresponding ARC/eARC port on the soundbar or receiver. Port availability and labeling vary by model and, in some cases, region or country; see the Sony Help Guide for an example of model-specific guidance.
ARC versus eARC: what changes?
| Feature | ARC | eARC |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Returns TV audio to an external audio system over HDMI. | Returns TV audio over HDMI with enhanced audio capability. |
| Audio formats | Exact codec support depends on the TV and audio system; check both manuals. | Designed for higher-bitrate and uncompressed multichannel audio. HDMI Licensing Administrator lists Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X among supported formats. |
| Published technical capability | Not stated in the cited HDMI eARC specification page. | HDMI Licensing Administrator lists support up to 192 kHz, 24-bit audio, and uncompressed 5.1-, 7.1-, and 32-channel audio. Its page shows a 2026 copyright year but no separate publication date. |
| What determines what you hear | The TV, source, audio system, and their settings. | The TV, source, audio system, format support, and settings across the complete signal path. |
Those eARC specifications describe capability, not a guarantee that a particular TV will pass every listed format or that a particular soundbar or receiver will decode it. Sony notes that supported formats differ by audio device in its eARC and soundbar connection guide.
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When does eARC matter for a soundbar?
eARC matters when your source and audio system can use a higher-bitrate or uncompressed format that your ARC connection cannot carry in your setup. To benefit, the relevant devices must support the format and pass it through the chain. If the formats you use are already supported by your ARC setup, moving to eARC may not make an audible difference; the available sources do not establish that every listener will hear an improvement.
- Check whether both the TV and soundbar or receiver support eARC if you want an eARC return connection.
- Look up the exact formats supported by the source, TV, and audio system rather than relying on “eARC” alone.
- If the audio system supports ARC but not eARC, use ARC and consult both manuals for the formats and limitations that apply.
eARC is not a video feature. It does not, by itself, establish that a soundbar’s HDMI input supports a particular resolution, refresh rate, HDR format, or gaming feature. If you plan to connect a console or other source to a soundbar, check that input’s video passthrough specifications separately.
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How to connect a TV to a soundbar or receiver
- Connect the return-channel ports. Use an HDMI cable between the TV socket marked ARC or eARC/ARC and the soundbar or receiver socket marked ARC or eARC.
- Select the external audio system on the TV. Choose the soundbar or receiver as the TV’s speaker or audio output. If the TV has an eARC setting, enable it or set it to Auto as directed by its manual.
- Check the audio system. Enable eARC if the soundbar or receiver requires it, and select its TV/ARC/eARC input if it does not switch automatically.
- Test playback. Play audio from a TV app or connected source and confirm it comes from the external system. If a desired high-bitrate format is missing, check output-format settings and the supported formats of the source, TV, and audio system.
Menu names and requirements vary. For example, Samsung’s eARC workflow for compatible Samsung products uses Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) and device-specific TV and soundbar settings; follow Samsung’s instructions only for applicable models. Sony likewise provides model-specific setup guidance rather than one universal menu path.
When connecting a source through the TV is a limitation
If an external player is connected to the TV and its audio returns to the soundbar, the TV must support passing the desired format over ARC or eARC. Sony describes an alternative for some setups: connect the source directly to an HDMI input on the soundbar, then connect the soundbar’s ARC/eARC output to the TV. This can allow a higher-quality audio format when the TV lacks eARC, but only if the source and soundbar support that format and the soundbar’s HDMI input accepts the source’s video requirements.
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What HDMI cable do you need for eARC?
Follow the manuals for the actual TV and audio system; do not assume you must buy a new cable. For its example eARC setup, Sony recommends a cable supporting 18 Gbps (Premium High Speed) or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Sony says a standard High Speed cable may carry audio, while a high-quality format from an eARC source may be restricted or audio quality may deteriorate. Its general connection guidance recommends authorized Premium High Speed cables bearing the HDMI logo. A suitable cable you already own may be sufficient for your devices and use case.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check compatibility before choosing a soundbar
When comparing a soundbar or AV receiver with a TV, verify the connection and audio format at each point in the chain. A port label is a starting point, not a complete compatibility check.
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- Return-channel support: Confirm ARC or eARC on both the TV and audio system for the connection you intend to use.
- Format support: Check the exact codecs supported by the source, TV, and audio system, including whether the TV passes them through.
- HDMI inputs: If you may connect a player directly to the soundbar, confirm it has an HDMI input and supports the source’s required audio and video formats.
- Setup and cable requirements: Check device manuals for eARC, HDMI-CEC, input selection, and cable guidance.
Brand-specific claims need the same care. Samsung says eARC is implemented in the latest HDMI 2.1-compatible TVs and that its own TVs and soundbars made in 2020 and newer models support eARC. That statement applies to the compatible Samsung products described on its support page; it should not be treated as a guarantee for every model, region, or brand.
Quick Recap
Common setup problems to check
- No sound from the soundbar: Confirm both ends are connected to the labeled ARC/eARC ports, select the external audio output on the TV, and choose the appropriate soundbar input.
- eARC does not activate: Confirm eARC support at both endpoints, then check each device’s settings and manual. Some setups also use HDMI-CEC; Samsung’s Anynet+ requirement is specific to its applicable products, not a universal rule.
- A format is unavailable: Check the source’s output setting, the TV’s pass-through support, and the audio system’s decoding capability. eARC alone does not mean every format is supported end to end.
- Audio delay or system-control issues: Settings and connection changes can affect these behaviors. Sony notes that eARC mode may affect system sounds and voice recognition on some TV models; consult the relevant device guide for model-specific remedies.
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