HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) sends TV sound down the same cable that brings video up, and lets your TV or streaming remote control the soundbar volume. One cable, one remote — when it's connected to the right ports.

What you'll need

  • A TV with an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC
  • A soundbar with an HDMI ARC/eARC port
  • One high-speed HDMI cable

The steps

  1. Find the ARC ports

    On the TV, one HDMI port is labeled ARC or eARC (often HDMI 1 or HDMI 3). On the soundbar, the port is labeled 'HDMI Out (ARC)' or 'TV eARC/ARC'.

  2. Run the cable

    Connect TV ARC to soundbar ARC with the HDMI cable. Streaming devices stay plugged into the TV's other HDMI ports (or into the soundbar's HDMI input, if it has one, for formats like Dolby Vision passthrough).

  3. Enable HDMI-CEC on the TV

    CEC is what lets volume buttons reach the soundbar. Brands name it differently: Samsung Anynet+, LG SimpLink, Sony Bravia Sync, Vizio CEC, TCL/Hisense 'HDMI-CEC'. Turn it on in the TV's system or external-device settings.

  4. Set the TV audio output

    In the TV's sound settings, choose 'Receiver', 'HDMI ARC' or 'External speakers' as the audio output, and set digital audio format to Auto or Passthrough.

  5. Test volume and power

    Play something and adjust volume with the TV or streaming remote. The soundbar should respond and, with CEC on, power on and off with the TV.

Worth knowing

  • eARC (on newer TVs) carries uncompressed Dolby Atmos; regular ARC carries compressed Atmos from streaming apps, which is what most services deliver anyway.
  • No sound? Power-cycle both devices with the cable connected — ARC handshakes stick after a restart.
  • Optical works as a fallback but loses TV-remote volume on some sets and can't carry Atmos.

Common mistakes

  • Plugging into a regular HDMI port instead of the one labeled ARC.
  • Leaving TV speakers on, creating an echo.
  • Expecting ARC to work through an HDMI switch or splitter — many break the handshake.

Research basis: ARC and eARC soundbars from Roku, Sonos, Bose, Samsung and Vizio. Steps checked against current manufacturer documentation as of the last-updated date above.