Do Samsung TVs Have HDMI Arcs? (2023)
Do Samsung TVs Have HDMI Arcs? Using your Samsung TV for video games, streaming shows, or listening to music can quickly result in a tangle of cords.
To address this issue, engineers created what is known as a “HDMI Arc,” which basically routes media directly to your TV without the need for AUX cords and other cables.
But, do Samsung televisions have this feature?
HDMI Arcs are found on many Samsung televisions. This connects all audio and video output devices to your TV. Users must connect HDMI cables 1.4 or higher between the two devices in order to use it.
Continue reading to find out how to use your HDMI Arc and what it means for your smart home experience.
If you’re unsure whether your specific model has this feature, consult your user manual.

DO SAMSUNG TVS HAVE HDMI ARCS?

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HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TV HAS AN HDMI ARC?
Check the input and output ports of your Samsung TV or apple tv to see if it has an HDMI Arc built in. They should be located on the device’s bottom or back. HDMI should be written beneath the HDMI port (ARC).
This is your best bet for determining whether your TV has this feature. If you don’t want to inspect your TV’s HDMI ports, you can do the following:
- Examine your user guide. The manual that came with your television should list the input ports, including whether or not it has HDMI Arc.
- Go through your input options. When you select HDMI (Arc) from the input menu on your Samsung TV, it may say so.
ACTIVATING ARC CHANNEL ON SAMSUNG TV
Home Button: To activate the HDMI ARC port on your Samsung TV, use the remote control or manually navigate to the settings tab.
Samsung Settings Tab: Your settings should provide you with a slew of extra options, including Samsung TV sound output settings.
Samsung TV Sound Settings: Inside your Samsung TV Sound Output, you will see sound output options and speaker settings, which you must now go ahead and select a designated receiver from the dropdown list, which in this case will be your HDMI ARC enabled speakers. Once again, the steps to configure your Samsung TV HDMI ARC are as follows:
- Open The Residence
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Choose Sound.
- Go to Speaker Settings.
- Choose Your Receiver HDMI ARC from the drop-down menu.

HDMI ARC, DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?
HDMI ARC is not a new phenomenon; in fact, it is a modern clean and cable management connectivity standard that is used by most sound devices and projectors as a common sound and video connector to reduce clutter.
An ARC, or Audio Return Channel, is a channel that is used to transmit sound from a smart TV to a sound device, and sound can be sent back to the transmitter using this special function of HDMI-certified cables.
The Audio Return Channel in Samsung TVs exists solely to reduce the number of cables that exist between your external home theater and TV. The sound quality is distinct and excellent because the sound signal is transferred to and from the speakers.
Once you have an HDMI ARC, you can rest assured that there is no need for a second optical/audio cable that is compatible to connect to the speaker.
If you want to connect your ARC-equipped speaker to your TV, you must use an HDMI cable 1.4 or higher. This HDMI ARC functionality is mostly available on the TV via a specific port, and the speakers on the outside must be somewhat compatible. To enable the HDMI ARC controls, you must first adjust the settings of your external speakers.
HOW TO CONNECT HDMI ARC ON SAMSUNG TV?
You’ll need three items to set up your HDMI Arc: your Samsung TV, an HDMI cord, and a speaker. Your Samsung TV should already have the HDMI Arc port installed.
Before you begin, ensure that your TV and speaker are both powered on. From here, you can:
- Locate the HDMI IN port on the back of your television.
- Connect the HDMI cable to this port from either end.
- Locate the HDMI OUT connector on your speaker.
- Connect the HDMI cable to this port.
When you turn on your TV, the sound should now play through your speaker or home theater system.
TROUBLESHOOTING SETTING UP YOUR SAMSUNG TV’S HDMI ARC
If you’re having trouble using HDMI Arc connection on your Samsung television, consider how the following options might help:
1. Utilize a Different HDMI Cable
According to CNET, the most recent HDMI version is 2.1. So, if you buy an HDMI cable from most retailers, it will most likely run at that speed.
However, if you have an older HDMI cable (1.3 or less), it will not work with your Samsung HDMI Arc. You should use a different, more recent one.
2. Make Sure You Have Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) Enabled
This feature allows your HDMI cord to “talk” to your TV. To enable this setting:
- Press the home button on your Samsung remote control.
- Access your TV’s settings.
- Choose “General Menu,” then “External Device Manager.”
- Navigate to Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC).
- Press “Enter” on the remote to turn it on.
3. Turn on Your TV’s Receiver
This option generally works if you have a TV that’s more than four years old. To turn on your TV’s receiver:
- Press “Home” on your remote.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Press “Sound.”
- Press “Speaker Settings.”
- Choose “Receiver (HDMI)” from the drop-down list.
4. Reset Your Speaker
If this is your first time using an HDMI Arc with your speaker, try resetting it before turning on the TV. The steps for resetting your speaker differ depending on the device.
Resetting a Samsung Soundbar, for example, entails the following steps:
- Turn off your television and soundbar.
- For five seconds, hold down the “+” and “-” buttons.
- Turn on your television and soundbar.
- On your remote, press the home button.
- Choose “Settings.”
- Change the soundbar’s sound output.
5. Unplug the Cables, Then Plug Them Back In
Unplugging the HDMI cable, then plugging it back in basically clears your TV and audio system’s cache. Be careful when you do this; if you apply too much force when removing the cord, you risk damaging the connectors.
HOW ARE HDMI ARCS USED ON SAMSUNG TVS?
HDMI Arcs are designed to reduce cord clutter and streamline your entertainment system.
Audio is made up of “channels,” and the more audio channels a speaker supports, the more vibrant and layered the sound. According to Samsung, HDMI Arcs support the following audio formats on their televisions:
- PCM (two-channel). This is for digital audio tracks with two channels. It is frequently used with CDs and DVDs tv speakers.
- Dolby Digital Surround (up to 5.1 channels). This provides five channels of sound, as seen in feature films.
- Digital Surround Sound (DTS) (up to 5.1 channels). This is common in Samsung TVs manufactured prior to 2018. It’s also similar to Dolby Digital in that it generates five layers of sound, but it’s less compressed.
The best option for you is largely determined by the speaker you’re using.
IS IT A MUST TO HAVE A SAMSUNG TV ARC?
In reality, it isn’t that big of a deal. When you listen to audio through your TV’s speakers and do not have a soundbar or receiver, the feature becomes ineffective.
The sound on most TVs isn’t particularly pleasant, which is why you should invest in a soundbar to enhance your viewing experience. That’s when the ARC kicks in, sending the audio created by your TV to your external device, which is usually a speaker.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HDMI ARC
As many advantages as there are to using HDMI input ARC on your Samsung TV and the simplicity it provides, there are some drawbacks. Despite the fact that it was specifically designed to replace digital audio outputs, allowing it to support any audio format, there are some limitations.
High definition or high bit rate audio, for example, as used by Dolby Atmos and other standards such as DTS:X, cannot be used by these standards. This is a problem because the signal can be carried without issue by the downstream audio over the HDMI cec.
Furthermore, when the ARC is present, most TVs compress the audio output as the sound system is converted from 5.1 audio to two-channel audio. If you encounter this issue, you can use some extra cables to amplify the sound over the ARC.
FAQS ON DO SAMSUNG TVs HAVE HDMI ARCS
Most Samsung TVs on the market today include HDMI Arcs. It’s as simple as connecting your speaker to your TV with an HDMI cable to use this feature. If this doesn’t work, think about how the troubleshooting methods listed above might help you.
FAQs ON TV HDMI ARCS
Does every Samsung TV have an HDMI ARC port?
The majority of Samsung TVs support the HDMI feature known as Audio Return Channel. HDMI-ARC is intended to reduce the number of cables that connect your TV to an external Home Theater System or Soundbar.
What if my TV lacks HDMI ARC or optical?
A wireless connection, such as Bluetooth or WiFi, is the best alternative to HDMI or optical. These will preserve the surround sound and high definition experience provided by HDMI or optical.
Do all smart TVs have HDMI ARC?
Most new televisions, particularly smart televisions, support HDMI-ARC. It debuted in 2009 and has since become a common standard on nearly all TVs, soundbars, and receivers. ARC should be supported by any device that supports the HDMI 1.4 standard.