Cables and connections
eARC
Enhanced Audio Return Channel, an HDMI feature that sends full-bandwidth, lossless audio from a TV back to a receiver or soundbar.
ARC lets a TV send audio back down the same HDMI cable that carries video to it, so the TV's built-in apps play through the receiver. eARC, part of HDMI 2.1, raises that return path from about 1 Mbps to 37 Mbps and adds mandatory lip-sync correction.
The practical difference is format support. ARC is limited to compressed 5.1 such as Dolby Digital. eARC carries Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Atmos, so the TV can be the hub while the receiver still gets the lossless track.
Both ends must support eARC and have it enabled, and HDMI-CEC is usually required. A High Speed cable with Ethernet generally works, but an Ultra High Speed cable removes doubt. A receiver with only ARC falls back to compressed audio.
Related terms