Wire clutter can be off-putting and unsightly. This will
probably be the case if you need to connect multiple electronics to your smart
TV. More often than not, your TV speakers will not suffice as the sole audio
source. This paves the way for the addition of a soundbar, home theatre system,
receiver, or other audio solutions.
The drawback sets in when you need all the devices connected
to your smart TV, whether a Blu-ray player or gaming console, to play the audio
through your sound solution. Thankfully, the HDMI ARC feature quickly solves
this challenge and more.
It is a feature that fits the bill when it comes to marrying
convenience with orderliness without sacrificing audio quality. In a more
cerebral context, this feature, Audio Return Channel, utilizes an HDMI cable to
channel output from a TV back to an AC receiver or external speaker.
This feature helps you notably alleviate the jumble of
cables between your smart TV and external sound system. It also supports prime
uncompressed audio channels like Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos.
How to use HDMI ARC on a smart TV
Here’s how to hit a home run in your home entertainment
setup by adopting the HDMI ARC option;
1. Verify the rating on your HDMI – Inspect
the ratings generally marked on the sides of the cords or the cable ports for a
high-speed rating.
2. Connect the cable to your TV’s HDMI port
– Locate the HDMI ARC port on your smart TV (usually fixed on the back of the
TV and labeled ARC/ TV IN standing for input). Then, slot one end of the cable
into this port.
3. Connect the other end to the HDMI
ARC-enabled external sound system – Insert the other respective end to the port
of the external speaker, usually labeled HDMI OUT (ARC).
4. Turn on both devices – With the cable
already set in place, switch on your smart Tv and the external sound system
(speakers). Usually, your smart TV will automatically detect and connect the
ARC connection. You will hear the TV sound play through your sound solution.
How to manually set up the ARC connection
There is a slight chance that these steps might not play as
expected for you. In the event that this happens, you can always try to
activate this feature manually. Here’s how;
1. Open the settings menu.
2. Navigate to expert settings/ HDMI
control/ CTRL. HDMI menu.
3. Press Enter.
4. Ascertain that the HDMI ARC option is
on.
5. If it is off, select CTRL ON or On and
press ENTER.
This hack should enable your Tv to channel the audio to the
ARC-linked sound solution. It does not mean you are permanently limited to
using your external speakers. You can always switch to using your TV speakers
by opening the sound settings menu and opting for the output settings to TV.
Be that as it may, you may find that the settings may vary
from the provided ones. This is because of variations in brands. In this case,
the user manual may come in handy.
Also, note that some input devices and TVs do not support
the ARC feature. To establish if your smart TV is ARC compatible, check the
marking on the HDMI ports on the back of the TV. A label denoted ARC, or HDMI
ARC, ascertains that your TV supports this feature.