Sony Support

Article ID : 00092233 / Last Modified : 02/03/2022Print

What is the Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature?

    The ARC feature eliminates the need to use an additional composite audio cable or an optical cable when connecting an Audio/Video (A/V) receiver or surround sound system to a TV. Connecting an HDMI cable from an ARC-compatible A/V receiver to an ARC-compatible TV will allow the following:

    • Send audio to the A/V receiver from the TV.
    • View and listen to movies and other content from source devices as they are passed through the A/V receiver to view on the TV.

    The following image displays the connections required to get sound from a TV that is ARC compatible to an audio unit that is also ARC compatible:

    Image
    [A]: TV
    [B]: Audio system
    [C]: HDMI ARC input on the TV
    [D]: HDMI ARC output on the Audio system
    [E]: HDMI cable (high quality, high-speed HDMI cable)

    NOTE: Low quality HDMI cables that are not labeled high-speed will not be able to provide the ARC function.

    The following image displays the connections required to get sound from a TV to a home audio device when either of the units are not ARC compatible:


    Image