HDMI vs. HDMI arc

No home entertainment system can be fully complete without a high definition multimedia interface. Since this interface came into existence in 2003, it has managed to replace analog interfaces.

If you look at the back part of your television, you may notice one of the HDMI ports labeled as HDMI arc. Though the HDMI arc may have the same appearance as HDMI, one is better than the other. Understanding how they differ is essential, especially when you have many devices you need to connect. Here is everything you should know regarding HDMI in comparison with the HDMI arc.

What are the differences between HDMI and HDMI arc?

Name	HDMI(High definition multimedia interface)	HDMI ARC( audio return channel)
Versions	1.4, 2.0 and 2.1	Found in 1.4 HDMI versions
Support for two way transmissions	No	Yes
Audio quality	Normal	Enhanced
Cabling	Few cables	Only one cable
Year released	2003	2009

HDMI vs. HDMI arc- How do they compare?

Connection

If you want a straightforward theater system set up, you should use the HDMI arc. This is because the arc uses a single HDMI connection that can transmit audio from your TV to the soundbar or AV receiver. It not only makes the setup easier but also eliminates the need to use so many cables. On the other hand, the HDMI is the cable that is meant to transmit audio and video.With ARC, you only have a single connection between the TV and the rest of your devices, while HDMI involves several connections.

Versatility

Since the HDMI ARC offers a two-way flow of sound, it offers more versatility than the HDMI cable. You can do a lot of things that needed extra cabling, such as connecting a soundbar to your TV through the HDMI arc port. The regular HDMI cable may not give you the same versatility as the HDMI arc since it fails to support two-way audio transmissions. HDMI arc helps you minimize the number of cables and remote controls you need for a home theatre.

Audio quality

Using the HDMI arc can help you enjoy enhanced audio quality than sticking to the standard HDMI technology. This is because the HDMI arc supports a high number of formats and carries a bandwidth of up to 1Mbps. Though HDMI has decent sound quality, it is more susceptible to interference.

HDMI vs. HDMI arc Comparison overview

HDMI

The high definition multimedia interface is a cable that people use to send audio and video streams between devices. This technology is often used with different devices such as a cable box, HDTV, game console, Projector, 4K TV, streaming device, and Blu-ray player. You should connect an HDMI cable that can carry video and audio streams together to the HDMI port. Such a cable can eliminate the need for more cables.

HDMI not only transmits audio and video but also transfers data from one device to the next. Different companies founded this technology, and it keeps on advancing with time. The latest HDMI version is 2.1 offers support for advanced video technologies such as HDR, 8K, and 4K. Apart from that, it also delivers speeds of up to 120 fps.

Since HDMI supports different formats, it can give you a high-quality experience when using devices such as a gaming console or Blu-ray player. You get the option of picking between different HDMI cables versions. The problem with HDMI is that it does not give you a seamless experience when you are trying to run different apps at the same time.

Pros

• The HDMI interface can carry video and audio signals.
• It displays sharp texts on a screen.
• You only use to use fewer cables to connect to different devices.
• The data carried by different cables is encrypted.

Cons

• Issues with a blank screen
• It prevents you from running multiple applications simultaneously.

HDMI ARC

Most of the home theater systems available in the market today contain the HDMI ARC. This type of technology stands for Audio Return Channel. It is found in HDMI 1.4 version and is now the standard in most HDMI cables. The technology facilitates the transfer of audio signals from a device to another. It is not only found in TVs but also receivers and soundbar.

With the HDMI Arc, you don’t have to use numerous audio cables that can easily form clutter in your home. This can, therefore, make your house look less messy even when you have so many devices. Using the HDMI ARC can simplify a home theatre setup and help you save some cash. The HDMI arc can offer more than one communication method between different devices over one HDMI connection. You can either use the HDMI Arc port as an audio output or input.

If you connect your TV to a soundbar via the HDMI arc, the sound of any media type you choose to watch is directly sent to your soundbar. The HDMI arc is important since it can redirect audio to the appropriate speakers. If you choose to use the HDMI arc, you don’t have to get a different HDMI cable when you already have an old one. Though this technology is commonly used in the 1.4 HDMI version, most modern HDMI cables meet this standard.

Since the HDMI arc came into existence in 2009, it has been used for various purposes. It can help you connect an audio soundbar with a Blu-Ray player or game console.  If you have a smart TV that you use to access Netflix, you should use the HDMI arc to boost the audio quality of the speaker system.

The HDMI arc allows you to use a single remote to control the common functions of different audio devices. For you to activate the Arc output on your TV, you should go to the settings menu and click on audio. Take note that not every TV can detect devices that have ARC capability automatically.

Pros

• It allows you to use the HDMI as an audio output and input.
• The HDMI arc simplifies a home theatre setup
• It handles both the 5.1 surround surround and a TV’s two-channel audio well.
• You don’t need a new NDMI cable to use the HDMI ARC.

Cons

• It cannot send audio that is often used by standards such as Dolby Atmos.

Verdict: So, which is better? HDMI vs. HDMI arc

Most modern televisions, home theater systems, and soundbar use different HDMI and HDMI arc technologies. We found the HDMI arc to be better than HDMI since it allows a downstream and upstream of signals over one HDMI connection. Using the HDMI arc prevents the need for extra cabling and makes the setup easier. We also liked how the HDMI arc makes controlling a home theater system easy since you only need to use single remote control. It can also help you enjoy enhanced audio quality.

FAQs

Does the HDMI arc make it easy to control the volume?

Yes. This lets you control the volume of different connected devices through the TV remote. It can therefore cut down the number of remote controls you use.

What is the importance of the HDMI arc?

This technology was invented to make our lives easier since it eliminates cable clutter and improves a speakers’ overall sound quality.