Do You Need ARC or eARC on Your TV for a Soundbar?

What ARC and eARC are

ARC stands for Audio Return Channel, a feature of the HDMI specification that allows a TV to send audio back to a soundbar or AV receiver over the same HDMI cable that carries video from the soundbar to the TV. Before ARC, you needed a separate optical cable for TV audio. eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is an improved version introduced with HDMI 2.1 that supports higher bandwidth and advanced audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. For a deeper comparison, see HDMI ARC vs eARC.

Both ARC and eARC are optional features on HDMI ports. A TV must have a dedicated ARC-capable HDMI port, usually labeled “ARC” or “eARC.” The soundbar must also support ARC or eARC. When both are present, you can control the soundbar’s volume with the TV remote via HDMI-CEC, and the soundbar automatically turns on and off with the TV.

What your TV needs for ARC or eARC

For ARC, your TV needs an HDMI port that supports ARC. Most TVs manufactured after 2009 include at least one ARC port, but older models may not. For eARC, the TV must have an HDMI 2.1 port with eARC support. eARC is backward compatible with ARC, so an eARC soundbar works with an ARC TV, but it will only use ARC bandwidth.

To use ARC or eARC, you also need an HDMI cable that supports the required bandwidth. For ARC, any standard HDMI cable works. For eARC, an Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable (48Gbps) or Ultra96 Cable (96Gbps) is recommended to handle the higher data rate. The HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. notes that eARC simplifies connectivity and supports the most advanced audio formats.

Check your TV’s manual or the labels next to the HDMI ports. Look for “ARC” or “eARC” printed on the port or in the on-screen menu. If you see neither, the port does not support audio return. For more on connectivity options, read soundbar connectivity options.

When you can skip ARC or eARC

You can skip ARC or eARC if your TV does not have the port, or if you are willing to use an alternative connection. Many soundbars offer optical (Toslink) input, which carries Dolby Digital and DTS audio but not lossless formats. Bluetooth is another option for streaming audio from the TV, though it may introduce latency and does not support surround sound from TV broadcasts.

If you only watch streaming services or broadcast TV, optical audio is often sufficient. The TV’s built-in speakers are replaced by the soundbar, but you lose the convenience of HDMI-CEC volume control. You will need to use the soundbar’s remote or a universal remote.

For gaming consoles or Blu-ray players connected directly to the TV, ARC or eARC is needed to pass lossless audio (like Dolby TrueHD) from the source to the soundbar. Without ARC, you would need to connect the source to the soundbar first, then the soundbar to the TV. See soundbar hdmi inputs needed for more.

How to check your TV for ARC or eARC

Look at the back or side of your TV for HDMI ports. The port that supports ARC or eARC is often labeled with the words “ARC” or “eARC” next to it. Some TVs mark it with a small icon. If you cannot see a label, consult the TV’s user manual or on-screen settings menu under “Sound” or “HDMI.”

If your TV is older than 2010, it likely does not have ARC. In that case, you can use optical or Bluetooth. If your TV has an HDMI port but no ARC label, the port is input-only and cannot send audio back. For a guide on matching your TV to a soundbar, see soundbar width vs tv.

Alternatives to ARC and eARC

Optical (Toslink) is the most common alternative. It supports up to 5.1 channels of Dolby Digital or DTS, but not lossless formats or Dolby Atmos with height channels. Optical cables are inexpensive and widely available. Learn about optical input limitations.

Bluetooth is another option. Most soundbars include Bluetooth, and many modern TVs can stream audio via Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth may have audio delay (latency) and does not support multi-channel surround sound. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group describes Bluetooth Classic as the standard for wireless audio streaming. See Bluetooth versions for details.

If your TV has a headphone jack or analog audio outputs, you can use a 3.5mm to RCA cable, but audio quality will be stereo only. This is a fallback for very old TVs.

What to pick for your situation

The table below helps you decide which connection type fits your TV and needs. If you have ARC or eARC, an HDMI ARC soundbar is the simplest choice. If you do not, consider optical or Bluetooth soundbars.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Can I use a soundbar without ARC?

Yes. You can connect via optical, Bluetooth, or analog cables. You will lose HDMI-CEC volume control and may not get lossless audio, but the soundbar will still improve TV sound.

Do all HDMI ports support ARC?

No. Only one HDMI port on a TV is typically ARC-capable, and it is usually labeled. Check your TV manual or the port labels.

Is eARC better than ARC?

eARC supports higher bandwidth and lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. ARC is limited to compressed 5.1. Both work with a single HDMI cable. See HDMI ARC vs eARC.

Can I use an eARC soundbar with an ARC TV?

Yes, but it will operate at ARC bandwidth. You will not get the benefits of eARC unless both the TV and soundbar support eARC.

What cable do I need for eARC?

An Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable (48Gbps) or Ultra96 Cable (96Gbps) is recommended for full eARC performance. Standard HDMI cables may work but could limit bandwidth.

Does optical cable carry Dolby Atmos?

Optical can carry Dolby Digital Plus, which is used by some streaming services for Atmos, but it cannot carry lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos. For full Atmos with height channels, eARC is preferred. Learn about Dolby Atmos vs DTS:X.

Can I use Bluetooth for TV audio?

Yes, if your TV and soundbar both support Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth may have audio delay and does not support surround sound from TV broadcasts. See Bluetooth versions.

How do I know if my TV has ARC?

Look for an HDMI port labeled “ARC” or “eARC” on the TV. You can also check the TV’s settings menu under Sound or HDMI for ARC options.