eARC on your Samsung TV and soundbar

A Samsung TV and soundbar

If you’re searching for a way to get the best sound possible from your Samsung TV, Odyssey Ark, or soundbar, you can use eARC. "Enhanced Audio Return Channel," or eARC for short, is the next-generation of sound. It allows you to send your TV’s audio to a soundbar or AV device through a single HDMI cable. eARC can even be used when you’re streaming content to your TV, like movies or shows.

Samsung products that support eARC

  • 2023 (C model TVs): All Neo QLED 8K & 4K TVs, all OLED and QLED TVs, all Crystal UHD TVs, all Frame TVs, the Sero, and the Serif

  • 2022 (B model TVs): All Neo QLED 8K TVs, all Neo QLED 4K TVs, the S95B OLED, all QLED 4K TVs, all Frame TVs (except the 32 inch model), the Sero, and the Serif TVs.

  • 2021 (A Model TVs): All QLED 8Ks, all QLED 4ks, all UHDs, all Frame TVs (except the 32 inch model), and the Micro LED TVs.

  • 2020 (T Model TVs): All QLED 8Ks, all QLED 4ks, all UHDs, all Frame TVs (except the 32 inch model), all Serif TVs, all Terrace TVs, the Sero, and the Premiere projectors.

  • 2023 Soundbars: Q990C, S800B, and G60C

  • 2022 Soundbars: Q990B, Q800B, Q700B, Q600B, Q67B, Q6CB, and Q60B.

  • 2021 Soundbars: Q700A, Q800A, Q900A, and Q950A.

  • 2020 Soundbars: Q70T, Q800T, Q900T, and Q950T models.

Differences between HDMI ARC and eARC

Note: The eARC feature has been implemented in the latest HDMI 2.1 compatible TVs.

Most TVs will compress audio signals in advance before transmitting them through HDMI cables. eARC, however, transmits and reproduces the sound in its original resolution through an HDMI cable. The improved quality, bandwidth, and speed makes it superior to the regular ARC format. eARC is compatible with DTS Master, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Atmos audio formats as well.

Note: Samsung TVs do not support the DTS Master or DTS: X audio formats.

Difference between ARC and eARC

Set up eARC

Before you start using the eARC format, you’ll need to activate Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) in your TV’s settings. Then, you can enable HDMI eARC Mode.

Note: By default, the HDMI eARC Mode is turned off. Make sure you are using an eARC-compatible HDMI cable, such as an HEAC or HEC cable.

  1. Press the Home button on your remote control, and then select Settings (All Settings).

  2. Navigate to General, and then select External Device Manager.

  3. Select Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) to enable.

  4. Navigate back to Settings (All Settings) > Audio (Sound) > Expert Settings, and select HDMI eARC Mode. Then, set it to Auto.

Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) switched on with a Samsung TV

On a soundbar, you connect to the eARC port on the bottom/back of the soundbar and then change the source of the soundbar to D. In. The soundbar's source will automatically change to TV eARC.

If you are not getting sound when using eARC, check out our troubleshooting guide.

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