Does it matter what HDMI cable you use for soundbar?
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. With an HDMI 2.0b cable, you can transmit the sound of your television to your soundbar.
It is best to update your TV to the latest software version to enable ARC only CEC connection. To do this, connect your Vizio TV to the internet and go to the setting tab. Click on update firmware. People experiencing the same Vizio sound bar HDMI ARC not working issue solved it by updating their firmware.
Make sure all your HDMI cables are firmly seated in their jacks and not subject to being bumped or jostled. 2. Try the bitstream audio output setting on your TV and source devices. This setting determines whether the digital audio signal is decoded in the device (the TV or Blu-ray player) or in the soundbar.
Using HDMI ARC does not require a new HDMI cable. Any HDMI cable should be able to cope with the requirements - it's only when we move on to eARC this could (potentially) become an issue.
When you have invested in a high quality home theater or audio/video system, the last place you want to skimp is the HDMI cable. For a minimal expense, a high quality HDMI cable can make a noticeable difference in the video and audio quality.
It depends on what you're looking to use HDMI 2.1 for. As mentioned, HDMI 2.1 isn't always required for a feature such as eARC. It depends on the product and if it's using compatible hardware that can accept the necessary firmware update.
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.
- Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port on the back of the soundbar.
- Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the ARC HDMI IN port on your TV.
- Power on any external device connected to your TV, and then power on your TV and soundbar.
CONNECTING WITH HDMI
Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI 1 (ARC) port on the back of your TV. 2. Connect the other end to the HDMI OUT (ARC) port on your VIZIO Sound Bar.
There is no such thing as an HDMI ARC cable. Any HDMI cable will work universally for HDMI and HDMI ARC/eARC ports. Only a few very outdated HDMI cables could potentially struggle with some of the higher quality audio formats with eARC, but this is unlikely to happen.
Why won't my Vizio sound bar connect to my TV?
Make sure the Sound Bar is set to the correct input. Power on the TV, and put on a show or movie (so there is audio playing). The lights on the front will flash indicating the sound bar is cycling through all of the inputs to find the one the TV is plugged in to.
Check the HDMI connections on the back of your TV, soundbar, or receiver. If the HDMI port has ARC, it should be marked as such. Both your TV and the soundbar or receiver must have ARC for it to work. Note the tiny ARC label on the HDMI Out of this receiver.
Connect to a TV that is not compatible with the ARC (Audio Return Channel) function using the HDMI cable and audio input cable. Connect your TV with an HDMI connector to HDMI OUT (ARC) connector on your HEOS AVR using the included HDMI cable.
A feature of HDMI® 2.1, the latest HDMI specification, eARC transports audio signals at up to 192 kHz, 24-bit, making it possible to enjoy the very best in TV sound, whether it's uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 surround or 32-channel uncompressed.
You can determine if your existing cable is adequate in one of two ways. Check if the cable is labeled as High Speed, Premium High Speed, or Ultra High Speed. If your HDMI cable doesn't clearly specify what type it is, you might be able to look it up if the manufacturer and part number are printed on the cord.
Computers can send the maximum resolution and frame rate possible in the current HDMI spec. If you've got a beefy computer and want to connect to a UHD TV, it's probably worth it to get Ultra High Speed or at least Premium Certified cables. Noncertified cables might work, but it's less likely.
You'll need Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, which thankfully, aren't that much more than "regular" HDMI cables at this point. One final important reminder: if you have a receiver or soundbar in your system, and the game console is connected to that, it too has to be HDMI 2.1 in order to pass 4K120.
The cable is backwards compatible and can be used with all existing HDMI devices.
The main difference between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 is that the newer specification has a higher bandwidth capacity. That means HDMI 2.1 can transfer more data at a time, which allows it to support higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, and other features.
HDMI connectors are available in three sizes: standard, mini and micro. There are also different types of HDMI cable (see the chart below). Not all cables use the logo but the cable specifications should indicate whether it is Standard, High Speed, Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed.
What does ARC mean HDMI?
ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a special function of HDMI high-speed certified cables via which the sound can also be sent back to the transmitter.
Frequently asked questions about the HDMI eARC
Do I need new HDMI cables to use eARC? eARC should work over a standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, or a High-Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet. You don't need to upgrade your cables to Premium or Ultra High-Speed HDMI to use this feature.
If you want to connect your TV to a soundbar via an HDMI cable, use the HDMI (e)ARC input. This is the only HDMI input with which the TV not only receives but also transmits signals.
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.
The biggest difference is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on streaming services such as Dolby Atmos and DTS HD Master Audio. These formats can't be transmitted across optical. In terms of simplicity, HDMI also passes video signals.
HDMI ARC vs eARC: What's the Difference? The main difference between HDMI ARC vs eARC comes down to bandwidth. Since HDMI 2.1 has a higher bandwidth than HDMI 1.4, it can transfer more data faster. That means the audio signal doesn't have to be compressed as much, and you'll get better audio quality with eARC.
You can use a variety of cables including a digital optical cable, coaxial cable, or an RCA cable, but HDMI is usually recommended as the best option. Some sound bars may also have a Bluetooth pairing feature, and allow you to set up a wireless connection.
The HDMI PORT IS FOR ARC AND FOR INPUT. THE ARC ALLOWS ALL OF YOUR DEVICES CONNECTED TO YOUR TV TO WORK WITH THE SOUND BAR. THE INPUT IS TO CONNECT ONE DEVICE DIRECTLY TO THE SOUND BAR.
HDMI is renowned for its video quality, but it also can carry audio without the need for multiple cables. HDMI supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD for 7.1-channel sound for loss-less, theatre-quality audio. HDMI 1.4 also supports audio return channel, which sends sound from your TV tuner to your receiver.
There are many ways to avoid using HDMI or optical connections. You can connect wirelessly with Bluetooth, or use a 3.5 mm AUX cable, RCA cables, or even an auxiliary device that converts coaxial cable to another kind of connection.
How do I get my TV to play through my soundbar?
Connect one end of the HDMI cable (sold separately) to the HDMI IN port on your TV. Connect the other end to the TV OUT (ARC) port on your sound bar. Then, connect an optical audio cable from the TV's Optical digital audio out to OPTICAL IN on your sound bar (this is necessary to hear the TV audio).
To get your TV to recognize a soundbar, you must connect the output on the TV to the input of the soundbar, then modify the audio output settings on your TV to match. You can connect the TV and soundbar using HDMI ARC, a digital optical cable, AUX, or by using Bluetooth if the feature is available.
Performing a factory reset on your VIZIO soundbar completely erases any custom settings and/or preferences to their original factory settings. Press and hold the Bluetooth and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for five seconds. All 12 LEDs will flash three times. The factory reset is complete.
Audio return channel (ARC) is a feature introduced in the HDMI 1.4 standard.
Even though eARC is built into the HDMI 2.1 specification, it's not limited to HDMI 2.1 cables. HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. (HDMI LA) clarifies that eARC also works with any high-speed HDMI cable with Ethernet. So we can say, no, you don't need an HDMI 2.1 cable for eARC.
Can a very expensive HDMI cable show a better picture and sound quality than a cheaper one? The quick answer is no. An HDMI cable, regardless of the materials used, can either transmit a signal or not – there's no in-between. An expensive HDMI doesn't produce richer colors or crisper sound than cheaper versions.
If you want to connect your TV to a soundbar via an HDMI cable, use the HDMI (e)ARC input. This is the only HDMI input with which the TV not only receives but also transmits signals.
All HDMI cables are essentially the same in that no matter what version you have, they connect your HD TV and audio/video devices such as Blu-ray player, Xbox, Playstation, Apple TV, or other media players. They basically allow a data signal to be sent from your media device to your TV.
In the same way, a higher bandwidth allows HDMI 2.1 to transfer more audio and video data over time. With its higher bandwidth, HDMI 2.1 can also transfer enough data to support uncompressed 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.
Both cables can be had pretty cheap. The biggest difference is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on streaming services such as Dolby Atmos and DTS HD Master Audio. These formats can't be transmitted across optical. In terms of simplicity, HDMI also passes video signals.
How do I know if my HDMI cable is ARC?
To determine if your TV supports HDMI ARC, you can look at the HDMI ports on the back of the TV. If an HDMI connector is labeled with “HDMI ARC” or “ARC,” the TV supports it. Additionally, if your TV was made after 2009, it's likely that it will have HDMI ARC.