What is S PDIF or HDMI ARC?
John Thompson
Published Mar 14, 2026
What is S PDIF or HDMI ARC?
The ARC standard was designed specifically to replace S/PDIF digital audio outputs (also called TOSLINK), and thus supports every audio format that would normally pass through S/PDIF: Dolby Digital, DTS and PCM audio. It can handle both the TV’s regular two-channel audio and 5.1 surround sound without any trouble.
Why does it say HDMI ARC?
What is HDMI ARC? Most Samsung TVs support the HDMI feature called Audio Return Channel. HDMI ARC is designed to reduce the number of cables between your TV and an external Home Theatre System or Soundbar. In other words, you don’t need a second optical/audio cable connected to an HDMI ARC compatible speaker.
How do I connect my HDMI ARC to my soundbar?
To set up HDMI ARC, power on your TV and soundbar.
- Next, connect one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI IN (ARC) port on your TV.
- Connect the other end into the HDMI OUT (TV-ARC) port on your soundbar.
- Next, change the source on your soundbar to the D.IN.
How do I use HDMI ARC with soundbar?
Follow the steps below to connect your ARC TV to the soundbar:
- Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port on the back of the soundbar.
- Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the ARC HDMI IN port on your TV.
- Power on any external device connected to your TV, and then power on your TV and soundbar.
How does HDMI arc work with a sound bar?
Connection diagram of how HDMI ARC works with soundbars. Using HDMI ARC with soundbars is pretty straight forward, provided all of your equipment supports the standard. First, you’ll want to check out the HDMI ports on the back of your TV and make sure they’re labeled with “ARC” or “TV-ARC”.
Can you connect a sound bar to a TV with HDMI?
If your TV supports ARC (Audio Return Channel), you can connect your TV and soundbar using an HDMI cable, so audio from your connected devices will play on the soundbar. ARC is easy to use, and you’ll enjoy excellent sound quality. The provided information refers to TVs sold in Canada.
What does HDMI arc and HDMI EARC mean?
If you have been using 4K TVs, AV Receivers, and soundbars, you would be aware that there is something called HDMI ARC. Considered a new technology just around a few years ago, the HDMI ARC has now given way to a noiseless, more enhanced form of listening to music – with eARC. So, what exactly does HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC mean?
Do you need a cable for HDMI arc?
With ARC, you have the ability to connect everything to the TV, and the TV will transmit audio down an HDMI cable into the soundbar, you don’t need any cable to carry out this operation. (i.e. an optical cable).
How to connect my Arc TV to my soundbar?
Connect your Soundbar to your TV with ARCClick to Expand. Follow the steps below to connect your ARC TV to the soundbar: 1 Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port on the back of the soundbar. 2 Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the ARC HDMI IN port on your TV.
If your TV supports ARC (Audio Return Channel), you can connect your TV and soundbar using an HDMI cable, so audio from your connected devices will play on the soundbar. ARC is easy to use, and you’ll enjoy excellent sound quality. The provided information refers to TVs sold in Canada.
Why does my sound bar disconnect from my TV?
When watching tv via our DirecTv receiver or streaming a movie on Disney+ or even playing the PS4, the HDMI Arc will randomly disconnect and switch over to the tv speakers for no apparent reason. Then the soundbar display screen cycles through HDMI, BT Pairing, BT Ready, etc.
How many channels can HDMI arc work with?
The maximum number of channels that ARC can serve audio to is 5.1. That means if you have a more advanced soundbar like the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 Channel Soundbar (on Amazon), HDMI ARC will limit that. The same is true for any soundbar with more than 5.1 channels.