Use the HDMI-ARC port on a Samsung TV
What is HDMI-ARC?
Most Samsung TVs support the HDMI feature called Audio Return Channel. HDMI-ARC is designed to reduce the amount of cables between your TV and an external Home Theatre System or Soundbar. With HDMI-ARC, the audio signal is capable of travelling both ways to and from the speakers, which will improve the sound quality and latency of the signal. Really it just means you don't need a second optical/audio cable connected to a HDMI-ARC compatible speaker.
To connect your TV with an ARC enabled speaker, make sure you're using a HDMI cable 1.4 or higher. The HDMI-ARC functionality is only available through the specific port on the TV or One Connect Box, and the external speakers need to be compatible. You may also need to adjust the settings of the external speakers to turn on HDMI-ARC controls.
To ensure the HDMI-ARC settings on the TV are correct, you'll need to enable HDMI-CEC protocols in the Settings Menu on your TV. Samsung TVs call the HDMI-CEC protocol Anynet+. You can find out more at the page What is Anynet+.
The menu path to turn on Anynet+ will be something like the following:
Home
button on your Samsung
remote control and then select
Settings
.
Settings
screen, choose the 
General Menu
which is found on the left hand side, fourth from the top. Once on the General Menu
, choose External Device Manager
.
To find out if your Samsung TV has an HDMI-ARC port, it's pretty simple - the HDMI port will be labelled 'ARC' on the back of the TV or One Connect Box. You can check out the page How to tell if a Samsung TV has a HDMI-ARC port for more information. If you do have a One Connect Box connected to your TV, you can check out the page Ports on the One Connect Box - the good news is most One Connect Boxes have a HDMI-ARC port (it's usually the 3rd HDMI port).
The audio formats that are available with HDMI-ARC:
- PCM (2 channel)
- Dolby Digital (up to 5.1 channel)
- DTS Digital Surround (up to 5.1 channel)
Please Note: Most 2018 model Samsung TVs do not support DTS
Connecting Speakers to the HDMI-ARC Port
For Samsung Soundbars - make sure to change the Source to D.IN. If it is left on BT Mode, the TV may have issues identifying the Soundbar and it may not appear in the speaker output list.
Make sure Anynet+ is enabled before proceeding.
- 2017/2018 TVs - Settings > Sound > Sound Output
- 2016 TVs - Settings > Sound > Select Speaker
- 2015 TVs - MENU > Sound > Speaker Settings > Speaker Select
- 2014 TVs - Settings > Sound > Speaker Settings > TV Sound Output
If you require more information for your product, please consult the user manual from our Manuals & Downloads page. Otherwise, please get in touch with our Samsung Care experts on 1300 362 603 (Toll Free in Australia) or contact our Live Chat Australia team.
This product should be mounted to a wall or other suitable surface to avoid serious injury. Find out more here.
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