Buying guide
Soundbar HDMI eARC Guide: The Connection, Made Simple
The most common soundbar headache is the cable. Here's HDMI eARC vs ARC vs optical in plain English, a 60-second connection walkthrough, and the gotchas that cause sync issues, missing Atmos, and a remote that won't control the volume.
Find your soundbar →The one connection that matters
The single most common soundbar setup question is "which cable, which port?" — and getting it right is the difference between full-quality sound with one-remote control and a frustrating, format-limited hookup. Here's the plain-English version.
HDMI eARC vs ARC vs optical
HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is the best connection. One HDMI cable between your TV's eARC port and the soundbar carries the highest-quality audio — including full Dolby Atmos and lossless formats — and lets your TV remote control the soundbar's volume and power. If your TV and soundbar both list eARC, use it.
HDMI ARC is the older version. It still gives one-cable convenience and remote control, but can't carry the highest-bandwidth formats (compressed Atmos only, no lossless). Fine for most people; not ideal for a premium Atmos system.
Optical (Toslink) always works and is a lifesaver for older TVs, but it can't carry Atmos and won't pass volume control to your TV remote. Use it only when HDMI isn't available.
How to connect it (the 60-second version)
- Find the HDMI port on your TV labeled eARC or ARC (usually HDMI 2 or 3).
- Run one HDMI cable from there to the soundbar's HDMI OUT (eARC/ARC) port.
- In the TV's audio settings, set output to the external speaker / eARC.
- Turn on HDMI-CEC (Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG SimpLink, Sony Bravia Sync) so the TV remote controls volume.
That's it. If dialogue or sync seems off, check that the TV isn't also outputting through its own speakers and that any "PCM" vs "bitstream" setting matches what your bar wants (bitstream for Atmos).
A few gotchas
- Use a high-speed HDMI cable for eARC and Atmos — a very old cable can bottleneck it.
- Game consoles and 4K passthrough: if you want the bar between console and TV, check it supports 4K/120Hz passthrough, or just run the console straight to the TV and let eARC send audio back.
- No eARC port? ARC or optical still works; you'll just lose lossless formats. The under-$500 guide notes which bars this matters for.
Connections sorted — now match the bar itself to your room and goals with the soundbar quiz, or compare the premium options in Sonos vs Samsung.
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Frequently asked
What's the difference between HDMI ARC and eARC?
eARC carries the highest-quality audio including lossless and full Dolby Atmos; ARC is the older version that handles compressed Atmos only. Both allow one-remote control via a single HDMI cable.
Can I use optical instead of HDMI?
Optical works and is great for older TVs, but it can't carry Dolby Atmos and won't let your TV remote control soundbar volume. Use HDMI eARC or ARC when available.
Why won't my TV remote control the soundbar?
Turn on HDMI-CEC in your TV settings (Anynet+ on Samsung, SimpLink on LG, Bravia Sync on Sony). That lets the TV remote control the connected soundbar.
Do I need a special HDMI cable for Atmos?
For Dolby Atmos and eARC, yes — use a high-speed (or Ultra High Speed) HDMI cable. A very old cable can limit bandwidth and block the highest-quality formats.