What is HDMI ARC?
High-Definition Multimedia Interface, or well-known as HDMI. It’s a special technology that makes it able to carry multichannel sound and video data in HD format with high resolution. It is actively used in various digital devices, such as TVs, computers, laptops and others.
One of the most important functions of HDMI is Audio Return Channel, or ARC.
- One HDMI cable if your TV and audio system have ARC
- HDMI + audio cable if one of the devices hasn’t got the ARC function
Due to this function, it becomes possible to translate TV sound to the connected soundbar, console or another receiver, using only an HDMI cable. So, a two-way connection between the TV and the device of sound translation is created. Without any doubt, a significant advantage of this type of connection is its convenience, because you won’t have to use any other cables in the system. Moreover, it will be possible to adjust the audio system using the TV controller, which is also really comfortable.
And how does it work?
Once you turn your TV on, the soundbar, console or receiver will turn on the same time, and any of these devices can be used with TV controller. When the TV is turned off, the connected device will be turned off too.
In such a system, sound will be translated both ways, of course, if both devices support ARC. If only one device support this function, then you’ll need one more cable in order to translate sound to both devices.
It’s really easy to understand if your devices support the ARC function: you just need to check if one of the HDMI connectors has the ARC mark.
Another option to find out if the function is present, is to look through the technical documentation or search for this information on the producer’s website.
Talking about ARC, we can check another significant function that will allow the ARC to function on both devices.
It is called СЕС (Consumer Electronics Control), the technology that makes it possible to use a lot of devices through an HDMI cable with one controller.
Due to this function, you will be able to give from one controller such signals as on / off, play / stop, adjusting volume and many more.
You should pay attention to the High-Speed HDMI mark if it is present on your HDMI cable.
A too cheap cable and a cable of an outdated version, most probably, won’t support the ARC function.