HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC- how these systems work?

HDMI is known as the most favored method of connecting consumer audio and video devices. This method is used across the world for many years. Although it may look like an ordinary cable, that’s not right because it is one of the few universal interfaces of its kind that is specifically manufactured to carry everything from audio, video, and additional digital signals at the same time. People also compare AV receivers to Chooserator. The system comes in two forms that are HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC. 

HDMI ARC

As we know that HDMI appeared in consumers’ homes in 2004, but the Audio Return Channel or ARC protocol wasn’t introduced until 2009. It was introduced with version 1.4 of the HDMI specification.

An HDMI cable is connected to a TV that usually receives video and audio signals from a source such as a video game console. Moreover, the ARC protocol also allows the TV to send audio data to the source device over the HDMI cable. We can even say that ARC simplifies the sending of audio from an external audio system.

Moreover, it is also essential to know that the HDMI ARC removes the extra optical or coaxial cables needed to carry the digital audio signal from the TV to the AV receiver. The same HDMI cable can also now be used to send the audio message from the devices connected to the TV to your external speaker setup.

If anyone who owns an external speaker setup, the person will benefit from HDMI ARC. Furthermore, it is also considered as the most convenient and clutter-free means to relay audio signals from the TV.

How ARC Works

If you receive TV signals through an antenna, the audio from the messages goes directly to your TV. To get this audio from the words to a Home Theater receiver, you have to connect an extra cable. You have to connect it from the TV to the home theater receiver.

Hence, with the help of Audio Return Channel, the HDMI cable allows the TV and the home theater receiver to transfer audio in both directions.

Moreover, audio sources connected to the TV via the internet, digital, analog, and, in some cases, HDMI inputs are also accessible through the ARC function.

What do you need to use HDMI ARC?

If you want to take advantage of the HDMI ARC system, all you need is a television and audio processor with matching ARC-enabled HDMI sockets.

HDMI ARC also works automatically on some TV. If it doesn’t work automatically, then you’ll need to grab a remote and tweak a few of your TV settings. Generally, the environment includes turning off your TV’s built-in speakers or enabling your telly to send audio to an external speaker or amp.

Moreover, it is fascinating to know that the HDMI ARC doesn’t require a new HDMI cable. It’s only needed when we move on to eARC.

As part of the process, you also have to consider enabling HDMI CEC. In this way, you can turn your TV on and control volume without the need for multiple remotes.

The Benefit of HDMI ARC

It is fascinating to know that HDMI ARC provides for transferring audio from the TV back to a home theater receiver with the same HDMI connection that is used to transfer video from a home theater receiver to the TV.

Moreover, HDMI ARC also allows you to hear TV audio through a home theater audio system as compare to the TV’s speakers without also having to connect an analog or digital optical audio cables. The connection is between the TV and home theater system.

HDMI eARC

To overcome the limitations of ARC, Enhanced Audio Return Channel or eARC was developed and incorporated into HDMI ver2.1. Moreover, it began to be implemented on TVs and home theater receivers in 2019.

It is essential to know that eARC has a great ability to transfer the immersive audio format. It means that on TVs with eARC, you can easily connect all audio and video sources to the TV. The audio can be transferred from the TV to an eARC compatible home theater receiver through a single HDMI cable connection.

Moreover, it is fascinating to know that HDMI eARC is the enhanced version of the ARC protocol that has already existed in the HDMI standard. However, Enhanced Audio Return Channel is the next generation of ARC. It is being implemented in the most recent HDMI 2.1 specification.

Furthermore, the main advantage of eARC is a significant boost in bandwidth and speed. It allows you to send higher-quality audio from your TV to a soundbar.

What is the new eARC?

The new eARC promises three substantial improvements that are the following:

• Increased bandwidth that allows the TV to pass advanced and uncompressed surround sound formats to the receiver or soundbar.
• More reliable HDMI “handshakes.” It means there are more accessible and more dependable operations. You will be able to get away with using fewer remote controls.
• The mandatory Lip Sync Correction protocol allows that the picture and sound always match up.

What do I need to use HDMI eARC?

It is crucial to know that you will need two devices supporting the new HDMI 2.1 standard that also includes the eARC protocol. Moreover, this will involve a TV and AV receiver supporting the new HDMI 2.1 specification for an average consumer.

 Moreover, there is also a need for Ultra-High-Speed HDMI cables to support all features of the new eARC protocol. HDMI cables will help you a lot if you also intend to use the highest resolution video modes supported in the new HDMI 2.1 specification. The existing High-Speed HDMI cables will also support all eARC features.

Is eARC backward compatible with ARC?

It is essential to know that if your TV is HDMI eARC enabled, but your soundbar is only compatible with HDMI ARC, it looks like that you will get a sound, but the bandwidth restrictions of ARC will not be able to experience the high bitrate audio that eARC can provide.

 So we can say no, it’s not backward-compatible.