Optical, HDMI ARC, or eARC? Best Choice for Home Theaters

Your home theater can only perform as well as the connection between your TV and speakers. This guide breaks the choice into a few easy steps. First confirm which audio formats and features your TV and receiver support, then pick the hookup that matches how you watch and play (streaming, gaming, Blu-ray, and more), and finally choose a certified cable that fits your room size and layout. We also lay out what each connection can deliver, flag common snags like passthrough limits, and wrap up with cable recommendations matched to different setups.

For our top recommendations, see Our Recommended Cables for budget and premium options.

Refer to the Glossary for unfamiliar terms.

• Use eARC if both your TV and audio device support it.
• For streaming-focused setups prioritizing simplicity, ARC is typically sufficient.
• If ARC or eARC is unavailable or you're using older equipment, optical is a great alternative.

Before you buy anything, do these quick checks:

• Check your ports:
  Look for an HDMI port on your TV labeled ARC or eARC. Then look for the same label on your soundbar or AV receiver.

  • If you do not have ARC or eARC on both devices, plan to use an optical cable instead.

• List what you plug in:
  Write down your sources, like built-in TV apps, Roku or Apple TV, game consoles, cable boxes, and Blu-ray players.
  Different sources send different kinds of audio, and some need more bandwidth than others.

• Decide where your devices connect first:

  • Sources into the TV first: The TV has to send audio back to the receiver. Some TVs cannot pass every format.
  • Sources into the receiver first: The receiver handles audio and video, then sends video to the TV. This avoids most TV format limits.

• Pick what matters more: simplicity or best audio:

  • ARC: Easiest setup. One HDMI cable, and the TV remote usually controls volume.
  • eARC: Best sound quality, including lossless surround and disc-quality Atmos.
  • Optical: Works with older gear, but supports fewer higher-quality audio formats.

• Future-proof only where it helps:
  eARC is the upgrade that improves audio formats. Newer HDMI versions mainly improve video features like 4K120 or 8K, not the audio return itself.

Best for: older TVs or receivers, basic soundbars, and simple stereo or 5.1 setups.

• Sends audio as light through a fiber cable, so it is not affected by electrical noise.
• Works for stereo sound and basic surround sound (Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1).
• Does not support Dolby Digital Plus, lossless audio, or Atmos.
  If your TV outputs Dolby Digital Plus, some TVs convert it to regular Dolby Digital over optical, while others drop it to stereo.
• No remote control features. You usually need separate controls for power and volume.

Best for: streaming-focused setups that want one cable and easy control.

• Sends audio from the TV back to your soundbar or receiver through the same HDMI cable already carrying video.
• Supports CEC, so your TV remote can usually control volume and power.
• Bandwidth is limited, so ARC only carries compressed surround formats.
• Supports Dolby Digital and often Dolby Digital Plus, depending on your TV.
• DTS may not work on some TVs. Even if your receiver supports DTS, the TV might not pass it through.
• Lip-sync problems are uncommon, but if they happen you may need to adjust delay settings.

Best for: Blu-ray players, modern game consoles, premium soundbars, and anyone who wants the best audio quality.

• Much higher audio bandwidth than ARC, enough for full-quality formats.
• Supports uncompressed multichannel PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and lossless Dolby Atmos.
• More reliable than ARC, with automatic lip-sync correction.
• Works with ARC devices too, but drops to ARC features if either device is not eARC-capable.
• Still depends on what your TV can pass through.
  If your TV will not pass a format (like DTS on some brands), eARC cannot fix that. In that case, plug that source directly into the receiver.

• Optical: Older receivers, basic soundbars, or systems limited to stereo or 5.1.
• ARC: Streaming-heavy setups desiring single-remote control and Atmos from apps.
• eARC: Configurations with Blu-ray, premium Atmos, lossless surround, or multichannel PCM.

Match the connection to what your gear actually plays. More demanding formats need more bandwidth.

Audio Format	Optical	HDMI ARC	HDMI eARC
Stereo (PCM)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dolby Digital 5.1	Yes	Yes	Yes
DTS 5.1	Yes	Varies by TV	Varies by TV
Dolby Digital Plus	No (TV may convert to Dolby Digital)	Yes	Yes
Dolby Atmos from streaming apps	No	Yes	Yes
Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio	No	No	Yes
Lossless Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)	No	No	Yes
Uncompressed PCM (more than 2 channels)	No	No	Yes

Quick takeaway:

• Optical covers stereo and basic 5.1.
• ARC handles almost all streaming audio, including streaming Atmos.
• eARC is needed for full-quality disc audio and high-end gaming formats.

• DVD, broadcast TV, most regular channels: about 0.3 to 0.8 Mbps (Dolby Digital or DTS).
  Optical or ARC is enough.
• Streaming 5.1 and streaming Atmos: usually under 1 Mbps (Dolby Digital Plus).
  ARC works for most TVs.
• Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray lossless audio: often 10 to 18 Mbps, sometimes higher.
  You need eARC if the player plugs into the TV first.
• Multichannel PCM from consoles or PCs: can use the full eARC bandwidth.
  eARC is required.

Use Case	Recommended Connection	Why It Fits
Everyday TV, music, stereo soundbar	Optical or ARC	These formats are low bitrate.
5.1 streaming from apps	ARC or eARC	Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 fits within ARC limits.
Streaming Atmos	ARC or eARC	Streaming Atmos is carried as Dolby Digital Plus.
4K Blu-ray with TrueHD or DTS-HD	eARC or plug source into receiver	Lossless disc audio is too large for ARC or optical.
New consoles with Atmos or PCM	eARC or plug source into receiver	Keeps full audio quality and avoids downmixing.

Device limitations can affect audio output, even with the correct cable.

• TV passthrough constraints: Some TVs do not transmit DTS or specific Atmos variants, even via eARC. Recent models from certain brands have eliminated DTS support. For DTS or full disc-quality Atmos, connect your player directly to the receiver.
• App-specific variations: Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Prime Video typically deliver Atmos via Dolby Digital Plus. Some apps revert to 5.1 based on TV settings.
• Configuration settings: Set the TV's digital audio output to "Auto" or "Bitstream" for ARC or eARC. Use "PCM" only if the receiver cannot decode Dolby or DTS.
• CEC reliability: If remote control fails, toggle CEC off and on, then power-cycle both devices.

• High Speed HDMI with Ethernet: Supports ARC and eARC for typical home theater distances.
• Premium High Speed HDMI with Ethernet: Certified for 18 Gbps, reliable for ARC or eARC.
• Ultra High Speed HDMI: Certified for 48 Gbps, ideal for 4K120 and eARC setups.
• Ultra96 HDMI: Certified for HDMI 2.2 and up to 96 Gbps of video bandwidth. You only need this for advanced HDMI 2.2 video features, not for eARC by itself.

These selections cater to common home theater configurations, from basic optical to advanced eARC systems.

These cables support ARC and eARC, covering typical home theater distances, from short passive connections to long in-wall fiber solutions.

A reliable short-distance cable for TV-to-soundbar or AV receiver connections.

• Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 with 48 Gbps bandwidth.
• Supports 8K60, 4K120, and Dynamic HDR.
• Fully compatible with eARC for Dolby Atmos and modern audio formats.

A highly rated cable for short to medium living room setups.

• HDMI 2.1 cable with Ultra High Speed certification ensures stable 48 Gbps performance.
• Supports 8K60, high-refresh 4K, ARC, and eARC.
• Dependable choice for maximum compatibility without requiring fiber.

A durable, braided cable for home theater and gaming applications.

• Certified 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1, supporting 8K60 and up to 4K240.
• Optimized for gaming with VRR, QFT, ALLM, and Dynamic HDR.
• eARC-compatible for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X passthrough from supported TVs.

A premium solution for long runs, projectors, wall mounts, or in-wall installations.

• Fiber optic HDMI 2.1 with 48 Gbps bandwidth for extended distances.
• Supports 8K60, 4K120, Dynamic HDR, and full eARC audio.
• Armored, flexible jacket with detachable heads simplifies installation and future upgrades.
• Note that this active fiber HDMI cable is directional with ends labeled Source and Display, and the Display end requires USB power, so be sure to orient and power it correctly during installation.

These cables emphasize secure connectors, durable construction, and reliable digital signal transmission for stereo or compressed 5.1 audio.

A compact, durable cable ideal for TV-to-soundbar or AV receiver connections in confined spaces.

• Fiber optic TOSLINK with precision-polished, gold-plated tips to minimize signal loss.
• Aluminum shell connectors and flexible PVC jacket withstand regular bending.
• Includes protective caps and a lifetime warranty for long-term reliability.

A popular, highly rated cable for standard living room setups.

• Standard S/PDIF optical connection for stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, or DTS 5.1.
• Flexible design for easy routing without kinking.
• Cost-effective, reliable choice for straightforward optical connections.

A space-saving cable designed for wall-mounted TVs or tight port configurations.

• Right-angle connector with a rotating head prevents sharp bends near walls.
• Reduces cable stress and port wear in compact installations.
• Fiber optic link remains immune to electrical interference, consistent with standard TOSLINK performance.

Optical is straightforward and immune to electrical interference but is generally limited to stereo PCM or compressed surround formats like Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1. HDMI ARC transmits audio over the same HDMI cable as video and supports CEC for TV remote control, though it is typically restricted to compressed formats.

Streaming Atmos typically uses Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos metadata, which ARC can handle on compatible TVs and soundbars. Optical usually cannot support Atmos in standard home setups. For lossless Atmos from Blu-ray or high-bitrate files, eARC is required.

Generally, no. Since streaming Atmos is delivered via Dolby Digital Plus, ARC is sufficient if your TV and audio system support Atmos. eARC is primarily beneficial for lossless audio sources or when TVs downmix audio during passthrough.

Yes. If either device only supports ARC, the connection automatically reverts to ARC functionality.

No specific "eARC" branded cable is needed, but the cable must include an Ethernet channel. Certified High Speed HDMI with Ethernet, Premium High Speed HDMI with Ethernet, Ultra High Speed HDMI, or Ultra96 HDMI cables all support eARC. Ultra96 is only required for HDMI 2.2’s advanced video features.

The cable is rarely the cause. Ensure eARC is enabled in your TV settings, the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC is used, and both your source and audio system support the Atmos format being played.

eARC is the best choice when both devices support it, as it accommodates all modern audio formats and offers the most future-proofing. ARC is effective for streaming-centric setups. Optical remains valuable for older equipment or as a dependable fallback.

• Optical (TOSLINK): Fiber-optic digital audio connection supporting stereo PCM or compressed 5.1.
• ARC (Audio Return Channel): HDMI feature transmitting TV audio to a soundbar or receiver via a single cable.
• eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel): Higher-bandwidth ARC supporting lossless formats and automatic lip-sync correction.
• CEC (Consumer Electronics Control): Enables HDMI devices to control each other, such as TV remote volume adjustments.
• LIP (Latency Indication Protocol): HDMI 2.2 feature improving audio-video synchronization in complex setups.
• Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable: Certified for up to 48 Gbps video bandwidth.
• Ultra96 HDMI Cable: Certified for HDMI 2.2’s 96 Gbps video bandwidth.