One of the easiest ways you can connect your TV to a soundbar or receiver is by using a specialized HDMI port called Audio Return Channel. The ARC connection lets you listen to your TV audio without having to use an extra cable, such as optical. ARC is most important if you plan on using the apps on your TV, such as the Netflix app, or if you don't have spare inputs on your sound system. Instead, you simply plug everything into your TV and use its remote to switch sources.
Meanwhile, the eARC standard, which is a part of HDMI 2.1, improves on the original in a few key ways including supporting Dolby Atmos. In terms of setup, it's basically the same as regular ARC. We'll discuss the benefits of eARC further down, but first: the basics.
Do you need ARC?
To be fair, many people don't need ARC. If you only listen to audio using your TV's speakers and don't have a receiver or soundbar, the feature is superfluous. The point of ARC is to send audio created by or switched through your TV to an external audio device, namely a soundbar or receiver.
Because the sound on most TVs is terrible, we strongly recommend getting at least a soundbar to improve the TV experience. Check out our guide on how to buy a soundbar and soundbar vs. speakers for more.
If you have a soundbar or receiver of fairly recent vintage that has HDMI, it probably has ARC, too. Here's how it works.
On the left is a traditional non-ARC setup, requiring an HDMI cable from an Xbox to be connected to the audio system, another to send the video to the TV, and an optical cable to send the TV apps audio back to the audio system. With ARC, the HDMI cable connected to the TV can send the TV audio back to the audio system. A two-way street, if you will. HDMI Licensing/CNET
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. Often, only one port will have ARC or eARC, and on TVs, it's usually number one or number three.
Note the tiny ARC label on the HDMI Out of this receiver. An HDMI-equipped soundbar would look similar. Onkyo
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