Electronics & Audio / Guide
HDMI ARC vs. eARC: Which Port Does Your Soundbar Need?
Find the audio return port on your TV and soundbar, then check audio formats, cable requirements and what your sources can send.
A TV may have several HDMI ports and only one that returns audio to a soundbar or receiver. Look for the label ARC or eARC on the television and in its manual. On the audio system, the matching port may be labeled HDMI Out even though the sound travels from the TV back into it.
Start with the source and the format
Write down whether you watch through the TV’s built-in apps or through a separate player or console. HDMI Licensing Administrator’s eARC overview explains that eARC supports higher-bandwidth audio formats than ARC. Check what the source sends, what the TV can pass through and what the soundbar accepts. One link in that chain can determine which format plays.
Check cable and setup instructions
Use the cable type the equipment manuals specify. Look for audio output, passthrough and device control settings on the TV. Make the first test with a single source and familiar material. Verify that the bar receives audio, that volume control behaves as expected and that sound returns after the TV is turned off and on.
If both devices already support the audio you use over ARC, compare the benefit of eARC against the cost of replacing equipment. Upgrade for a format or connection you can name.