What is HDMI ARC? Maplin’s Guide to Simpler Connections
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Time to read 5 min
HDMI cables have long been the standard way to send video and audio from devices like Blu-ray players, gaming consoles or streaming boxes to your TV. But if you’re connecting a soundbar or AV receiver to your TV, you may end up with extra audio cables or a messy tangle of wires. That’s where HDMI ARC comes in — and why using the right Maplin HDMI cable can make your home-theatre setup cleaner and more convenient.
What is HDMI ARC?
ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. Normally, an HDMI connection carries video and audio from a source (e.g. a console) to your TV. With ARC, the HDMI cable can also send audio back from the TV to an external sound system (like a soundbar or AV receiver). That means the same HDMI lead that delivers the picture can also deliver the sound - no extra optical or analogue cables needed.
In short: with an ARC-enabled HDMI port on both your TV and your soundbar/receiver, one cable can transmit video downstream and audio upstream simultaneously.
Why Use ARC? The Benefits
Using HDMI ARC brings several clear advantages:
Reduced cable clutter: One HDMI cable handles both video and audio, so your setup is cleaner.
Simpler setup: No need for separate audio cables (optical, coaxial or analogue) when connecting a soundbar or receiver.
Better audio from TV apps: If you watch streaming apps on your TV (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc.), ARC lets that audio go to your sound system, not just the TV’s built-in speakers.
Unified control (sometimes): With HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) enabled, you can often control volume and power of connected audio devices using your TV remote — reducing the number of remotes you need.
What Cable Should You Use: Maplin HDMI Examples
Not all HDMI cables are equal — especially if you want to reliably use ARC (or the more advanced eARC on newer TVs). For most ARC setups, a good High-Speed HDMI cable (often labelled HDMI 1.4 or above) is sufficient.
At Maplin, we recommend cables such as:
Maplin HDMI to HDMI V2.1 8K Ultra HD 60fps Braided Cable with Ethernet — a modern cable supporting HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which makes it future-proof and ideal if you later upgrade to 4K/8K or want to use eARC.
Maplin HDMI to HDMI V2.0 4K Ultra HD 60fps Braided Cable with Ethernet — a solid High-Speed HDMI cable that covers typical ARC use cases and full HD/4K video with audio return.
Both cables support the bandwidth and signal integrity required for ARC (and, where applicable, eARC) — ensuring stable video + upstream audio over a single cable.
ARC vs eARC — What’s the Difference?
While ARC is widely supported, there’s a newer standard: eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), part of HDMI 2.1. The differences are important to know if you have newer TV and AV gear.
Feature HDMI ARC HDMI eARC
| Introduced with | HDMI 1.4 | HDMI 2.1 |
| Typical audio formats supported | Compressed formats (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS 5.1) | All ARC formats + high bitrate/lossless formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, multichannel PCM |
| Bandwidth | Lower (enough for compressed 5.1) | Much higher — supports high-bandwidth, lossless audio and higher-resolution video audio sync |
| Cable preference | High-Speed HDMI cable (1.4/2.0) | Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable (HDMI 2.1) recommended for best performance |
If both your TV and soundbar/AV receiver support eARC, using a cable like the Maplin V2.1 8K Ultra HD one above maximises your chance of getting high-fidelity, uncompressed audio alongside high-res video.
How to Set Up ARC (or eARC): Step by Step
Check hardware compatibility: Ensure both your TV and soundbar/AV receiver have HDMI ports labelled “ARC” or “eARC.”
Choose the right cable: Use a high-speed (or ultra-high-speed, for eARC) HDMI cable, such as the Maplin cables listed above.
Connect the devices: Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the TV’s ARC/eARC port, and the other into the soundbar/receiver’s ARC/eARC port.
Enable ARC/eARC and CEC in settings: On both devices, go to audio settings and enable HDMI Audio Return Channel. Optionally enable HDMI-CEC so your TV remote controls audio device.
Select the correct audio output: On the TV, choose HDMI/ARC (or eARC) as the audio output.
Test audio playback: Play something from the TV (streaming app, built-in tuner) — sound should come from your soundbar/receiver without extra cables.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
No sound or audio only from TV speakers: double-check that the HDMI cable is in the ARC-labelled port on both devices.
Audio lag / sync issues: some TVs allow lip-sync correction or audio delay compensation; try enabling those settings.
Cable not supporting eARC / high-res audio: if you have a newer setup (4K/8K + lossless audio), make sure your HDMI cable is ultra high-speed (HDMI 2.1).
No remote-control synergy: you may need to enable HDMI-CEC (or equivalent) manually on both TV and audio device.
FAQ
Will any HDMI cable work for ARC?
Not necessarily. For basic ARC (TV → soundbar, stereo or 5.1 surround), a good High-Speed HDMI cable (HDMI 1.4 or newer) usually works. For best results — especially if you want eARC with high-bitrate or lossless audio — a more capable cable (e.g. HDMI 2.1 Ultra High-Speed) is recommended.
How do I know whether my TV or soundbar supports ARC or eARC?
Look on the HDMI port — if it’s labelled “ARC” or “eARC,” that’s a good sign. If not, check the user manual or manufacturer’s specifications. Many TVs have only one ARC port; newer models may have an eARC port.
Can I use HDMI ARC with streaming apps on the TV (Netflix, etc.)?
Yes — one of ARC’s main benefits is allowing audio from TV’s built-in streaming apps to be output to a soundbar or receiver, using the same HDMI cable.
What if I connect a device to a non-ARC HDMI port (e.g. a Blu-ray player)?
You can still use that port for video. As long as your TV is playing that content, the audio will be sent back to your sound system via the ARC-enabled HDMI cable. ARC doesn’t require your source device to use the ARC port — the audio return is handled by the TV.
Should I care about eARC instead of ARC?
It depends on your setup. If you're content with standard Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 audio from streaming services or TV broadcasts, ARC is often more than enough. If you watch high-resolution Blu-rays, 4K HDR content, or want lossless audio (e.g. Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, Dolby Atmos), and your devices support it — then eARC + a high-quality HDMI 2.1 (e.g. Maplin V2.1 8K Ultra HD) cable is worth the upgrade.
Final Thoughts
HDMI ARC (and the newer eARC) can greatly simplify and streamline your home-theatre setup. By sending both video and audio over a single HDMI cable, you reduce clutter, simplify wiring and make control easier. With quality cables like Maplin’s HDMI-to-HDMI Braided cables (V2.1 or V2.0), you can ensure reliable audio return and future-proof your system, whether you’re watching streaming shows, gaming, or enjoying Blu-ray movies.
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About the author
Pete Luckhurst is a Website Manager at Maplin.After getting an early start in the world of computing with C64 & Amiga computers, Pete now spends much of his spare time in PC VR and dabbling in game development. He also has a strong interest in film, photography and music.
Among other endeavours, he previously worked in a Maplin store, so it was a no-brainer when the opportunity arose to work on the modern incarnation of Maplin online. Besides writing for the blog, Pete works alongside the Maplin team to help keep the online store running smoothly.
