What's the difference between HDMI ARC and optical?

What's the difference between HDMI ARC and Optical? Both HDMI and optical cables transmit a multi-channel digital audio signal, but where optical cables are limited to just that digital audio, HDMI was designed as both a video and audio transmission cable.

Which is better for sound HDMI ARC or optical?

So which one is better? HDMI ARC or digital optical audio? HDMI ARC is a better option. It supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, and up to 7.1 channels of uncompressed audio while Digital Optical only supports Dolby Digital and up to 5.1 channels of uncompressed audio.

Do you need optical cable with HDMI ARC?

HDMI ARC removes the need for an optical cable and allows you to send audio 'downstream' from a compatible HDMI socket on your TV to a compatible HDMI ARC socket on a soundbar or AV receiver.

Is an optical cable the same as HDMI ARC?

HDMI ARC and optical cables both share the same purpose.

The only significant difference in terms of function is that an optical cable won't transmit video. But this shouldn't be an issue, since you've already got video on your HD television.

Can you use HDMI ARC and optical audio at the same time?

In case you do connect both cables, they will automatically switch to the one you inserted last. Other TVs will allow you to choose which audio cable you want to use if you have both of them plugged in. But they still won't let you use both at the same time.

HDMI ARC vs Digital Optical: Which is Better and Why?

Which connection is best for soundbar?

You'll get the best sound quality via an HDMI cable. Most soundbars and TVs have an HDMI port. Keep in mind you need to use an HDMI ARC or eARC cable and port. If you don't have this, you'll need an optical cable in addition to an HDMI cable.

When should I use HDMI ARC?

HDMI-ARC (Audio Return Channel) can send and receive audio through a single HDMI cable. This means, you can have your Blu-ray players, set-top box, gaming consoles connected to your TV which will then channel all the audio outputs to the HDMI-ARC connected sound bar or home theatre system.

Why is optical better than HDMI?

Fiber optical cables support surround sound with up to 5.1 channels. While HDMI supports Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD formats, and DTS HD. Almost all the television programming gets broadcast in surround sound but there are many Blu-ray discs offering enhanced sound quality.

Does Dolby Atmos use HDMI or optical?

Digital optical doesn't support Dolby Atmos because it can't transmit the Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby TrueHD audio codecs (both of which can contain Dolby Atmos audio). Digital optical cables only support up to 5.1 channels of audio. HDMI is the only method to send/receive signals with Dolby Atmos.

Can I use HDMI soundbar without ARC?

What to do if my TV doesn't have an HDMI port labelled ARC? You can use an Optical Audio cable or Aux cable to connect the sound bar to the television.

What happens if I don't have an ARC HDMI?

If you TV does not have ARC port then you will have to use optical, as normal HDMI port does not support both way data transfer for audio to go out of it.

Does HDMI ARC support 4K?

With HDMI ARC or eARC turned on, your Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later) can receive high-quality audio from a supported TV, then play that audio through your HomePod or HomePod mini speakers.

Is optical audio better quality?

A Digital Optical cable, also referred to as an Optical cable, will produce a reliable and consistent sound. In fact, some have claimed that Digital Optical cables relay slightly better sound than an HDMI cable.

Is optical better for sound?

And, in our experience, compared to optical, a coaxial connection does tend to sound better. That's because it has greater bandwidth available, meaning it can support higher quality audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. Optical is usually restricted to 96kHz.

Which HDMI is best for Dolby Atmos?

You're in luck — all you need is a single HDMI cable to connect your TV and soundbar enabled with Dolby Atmos (HDMI 2.0 for ARC should do the trick while HDMI 2.1 is necessary for eARC setups).

Do I need HDMI ARC for Dolby Atmos?

Most Dolby Atmos audio can be played through HDMI-ARC using the Dolby Digital Plus codec. HDMI-eARC is required to play lossless Dolby Atmos audio using the Dolby TrueHD codec.

Does Dolby Atmos work without HDMI ARC?

No, eARC is not required for Dolby Atmos to work. Dolby Atmos can work with regular HDMI ARC through the Dolby Digital Plus audio codec. However, those wanting Dolby Atmos TrueHD must use eARC. You can also bypass ARC entirely by connecting the media device directly to the soundbar or AV receiver.

What are the disadvantages of optical cable?

Disadvantages of Using Fiber-Optics

Fragility – As fiber-optic cables normally consist of glass they are much more fragile compared to other electrical wires. Installation – Fiber-Optic cables are much more difficult to install and can easily get damaged during the process.

Can I use normal HDMI port for HDMI ARC?

For a successful eARC connection, you need a device with an eARC connector and an HDMI 2.1 cable. If your HDMI cable was made before 2009, there's a big chance this cable doesn't support ARC. In this case, you should buy an HDMI 2.1 cable for the optimal sound quality.

How do I use HDMI ARC with my soundbar?

What should I plug into HDMI ARC?

HDMI ARC: What you can do

Connect your soundbar to the TV using the designated ARC-capable port, and you can use it for every device that connects to the TV, including Blu-ray players, game consoles and other devices. And it does that through the TV itself, instead of requiring a separate audio receiver.

Do I need a 2.1 or 5.1 soundbar?

The Bottom Line. 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1 channel speaker setups are options for home entertainment audio listening. 2.1 is the best option for music-only listening and/or if you want a basic setup for upgrading your TV sound without a lot of speakers. 5.1 is the most common option for getting a home theater audio experience.

Which HDMI port is best for soundbar?

If your TV has an HDMI eARC port, that's the one to go for when it comes to making the connection, otherwise, any spare HDMI port will do. Once you've connected the soundbar to the TV, ensure the cables are firmly in place.

How can I make my soundbar sound better?

Turn off or mute your television's internal speakers to allow your soundbar's quality sound to shine through. Use HDMI (ARC) or other high-quality cables to relay audio signals to your Soundbar. Adjust your equalizer settings, if possible, to ensure your soundbar is optimally programmed for your specific audio source.

When should I use optical audio?

Use it if you don't have the correct digital audio connections on your device. Bi-directional so you can convert both ways. Supports uncompressed stereo PCM audio and 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS. Works up to 30 meters.