Which Connection Is Better HDMI-ARC-Or Optical?

In the early years, a simple coaxial cable was sufficient for making all necessary connections. However, we are no longer the technical equivalent of cavemen. However, we provide a broad range of extras, such as Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, cable boxes, and A/V receivers.

To our great comfort, HDMI has replaced the function that the coax cable used to fulfill. You’re merely running additional cords. On the other hand, you can have some difficulties with the A/V receivers or soundbars you use. The regular HDMI cable does not support audio transmission in both directions.

Therefore, if your receiver receives your signal and then inputs it into your TV, it will not be able to leave again. You will need an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) connection to do this task. You could also use an optical cable, which more often refers to fiber optic cables. Which one is the better option? A summary is provided here.

Key Features of HDMI ARC and Optical Connections

Both HDMI ARC and optical wires serve the same role in a system. Both of these methods can send audio across many channels from one device to another. So far, so good.

The only important distinction in function is that an optical connection cannot carry visual signals. However, this should be fine since you already have a video on your high-definition television.

• HDMI-Arc-And-Optical-Inputs

The material architecture of HDMI and optical is where the two standards most diverge. Copper, a substance common for use in the construction of electrical connections, is the primary component of HDMI cables.

Copper is an inexpensive metal that is simple to manufacture and has been used extensively in industry for millennia.

However, it is subject to electromagnetic interference, which is a drawback. On the other hand, optical cables are constructed out of glass-based fiber optics, also known as “fibre optics.” Producing one of them is quite pricey.

Nevertheless, the signal is sent not by an electrical current but through light. Because of this, they are immune to the influence of external factors.

Pointing this out should be optional, but we will double-check that all your gear is compatible. Some soundbars, for instance, do not allow the audio output of HDMI.

If your television does not support the optical sound format, you will be required to run an optical connection straight from the source.

Although, at first glance, this may seem to be a viable alternative solution, there are other options. The audio and the video may not be in sync since the signals travel on distinct pathways.

To put it another way, before you purchase a soundbar or an A/V receiver, you must ensure that it is compatible with your TV.

• Audio Quality

Optical cables will be able to fulfill the requirements of most home entertainment systems. They are capable of supporting surround sound with as many as 5.1 channels.

That would be suitable for use with any soundbar. But let’s say you’re a total audiophile, and your home theatre has 7.1 channels of surround sound.

If that is the case, then using an optical cable won’t accomplish what has to be done. Additionally, True-HD, DTS HD, and Dolby Digital Plus are not supported by optical connections in any way, shape, or form.

That is quite a constraint for even a soundbar considered more sophisticated, much alone a whole stereo system.

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• Optical Audio Cable

The issue is that optical cables have a limited capacity, even though they almost completely resist interference. You will want an HDMI ARC connection to get the most enjoyment from your robust stereo system.

The HDMI ARC standard is compatible with practically every sound format. You will have access to support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, True-HD, and DTS HD formats. If you do this, the quality of your Blu-Ray discs or current gaming console will be improved to its maximum potential.

• HDMI Arc Cable Input

The absence of compatibility for 7.1-channel surround sound is the most notable limitation of HDMI ARC. You will need an additional upgrade to do that. The “e” in HDMI eARC stands for “enhanced,” and it can deliver 7.1-channel surround sound. In addition to that, it offers considerably greater bandwidth.

The vast majority of contemporary TVs, even the costly ones, emit a sound that is compressed and of lesser quality than the sound that is entered. Regardless of whether or not you are using HDMI ARC, your sound quality may suffer.

The output of an HDMI eARC connection is of the same high quality as the input, thanks to Ethernet technology.

In other words, you won’t need to deal with any jury-rigging or delay to use the high-quality, uncompressed audio. At the moment, eARC technology is only supported by a small number of devices. Be sure to double-examine all of the technical specifications of your gear before making a purchase.

• Video Quality

Although this only affects video quality when using HDMI connections, it is nevertheless important to bring up. The reason for this is that the quality of each HDMI cable varies greatly. A 4K video signal may be sent using an HDMI 2.0 connection. It meets your needs. You can only shoot at 60 frames per second.

On the other hand, the HDMI 2.1 connection can deliver 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. Even 8K videos can be displayed at a frame rate of 60 frames per second. Even 8K videos can be displayed at a frame rate of 60 frames per second. This is required for most VR systems.

Additionally, there are distinct additional arguments that may be made regarding video. An additional cable must be used if the video signal cannot be sent via an optical connection. Investing in a quality HDMI ARC cable can be a more economical decision than buying optical or cheap HDMI cables.

• Favorite TVs and audiotapes

Depending on your needs, cable length may or may not matter. It does not matter if the TV and the audio-visual receiver are installed near it. Plus, having a media room or a dedicated sound system for your entire home becomes a big problem.

Before proceeding, never use a cable longer than what is needed for the job at hand. No matter what type of cable you choose, longer wires will reduce the signal somewhat.

However, with HDMI, the video signal degrades faster than the audio signal. This is because video consumes a very high percentage of bandwidth. The video has a lower threshold for acceptable signal loss levels than audio.

Due to this fact, when connecting separate wires to different sets of speakers, you should always use cables of the same length. This is because the signal may be distorted depending on the length of the cable used. The greater the difference, the more difficult it is for the A/V receiver to detect the correct clock signal.

The longest length that can be transmitted via an HDMI cable is approximately 15 meters (approximately 50 feet). This description has two parts. First and foremost, there is the interference problem that we have just discussed. However, it is only part of the account of what happened.

The second issue is that an HDMI transmission only needs 5 volts of electricity, which is a very low value. Consequently, even a cable of extremely high quality and very low resistance will only be able to transmit the signal for a limited distance.

After a distance of 15 meters, there will be a discernible decrease in quality.

The maximum length of optical cables ranges from 10 to 30 meters, depending on the quality of the cable (about 33 to 99 feet). The fact that no material is entirely see-through is the rationale that they have a maximum length. In due time, the light signal quality will begin to deteriorate.

Key Differences

FAQs About HDMI-ARC-VS-OPTICAL

Does HDMI ARC need an optical cable?

However, to utilize both, the technology must be able to accommodate both. It is important to ensure that the A/V devices have both an HDMI port and an Optical audio input.

Is there just ARC output on HDMI?

Audio input and output are combined on a single HDMI ARC port. The return channel is often used when the television itself is the source or receiver of the visual and audio stream.

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Conclusion

As can be seen, each of these technological features is used in various contexts. To begin, if you are looking for the highest possible level of audio quality, the most suitable option is the HDMI ARC connection.

It is compatible with all the most recent audio file formats, and you can use the same remote control for all your devices. In addition to this, it helps you get rid of cluttered cords and tangled wires.

On the other hand, optical cables maintain a level of sound quality that is acceptable. In addition, they are unaffected by interference and can function well even when used over extremely great distances. At the end of the day, the kind of cable you need will be determined by the cable’s purpose.