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Applications > HDMI 2.1 eARC Technology

HDMI 2.1 eARC Technology

Enhanced Audio Return Channel Solutions for HDMI 2.1

Related Products
HDMI 2.1 includes a home theater feature called eARC, or Enhanced Audio Return Channel, whi
HDMI 2.1 eARC Transmitter/Receiver compatibility between audio devices such as a Sound Bar, A/V Receiver (AVR) and TV. eARC is de
compatibility because it removes the audio device from the video path.

Related Applications With a conventional AVR, both the audio and video flow through the AVR and onto the TV. With e
eARC signal to the AVR. This keeps the AVR out of the video stream, which dramatically extends
HDMI® Standard, Founder
home theater systems.

HD and 4K/UHD TVs let consumers create a home theater with immersive video and surround s
the movie theater experience. Until now, configuring and using these systems has been complic
Mixing and matching audio and video devices from different manufacturers doesn’t always wor
of two remotes in order to switch inputs, control volume, and so forth. The HDMI 1.4 Audio Retu
improves this somewhat, but it does not offer the full audio performance of HDMI.

eARC technology provides a dedicated audio link within the HDMI cable, which substantially imp
use, and audio performance. This audio link utilizes the two pins used for the HDMI Ethernet Ch
dedicated differential pair providing a “system within a system,” specifically for high performanc
dedicated discovery and control functions, enabling it to operate independently of the HDMI ver
field” for creating compatibility among products from different manufacturers.

The differential signal used in eARC can transmit the full bandwidth of HDMI audio, up to 8 chan
kHz audio. This can enable up to 32 channels of audio as well as all of the well-known compress
Atmos and DTS:X. The dedicated control signal also transmits lip sync information to ensure tha
seamlessly in a home theater. A heartbeat signal is continually transmitted by the audio device t
signals the television to mute its own speaker automatically, and un-mute in case of signal loss.
Video

Simplify Audio Connectivity with HDMI 2.1 eARC

HDMI 2.1 now includes a home theater feature called Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC
compatibility between audio devices such as a Sound Bar, A/V Receiver (AVR) and TV.

Expand Image "

Function TOSLINK HDMI ARC

Cable Used Optical SPDIF HDMI

Stereo Support Yes Yes

Compressed 5.1 Very Limited Yes

Uncompressed 5.1 No No

Uncompressed 7.1 No No

High Bitrate
- Dolby Atmos No No
- Dolby TrueHD No No
- DTS: X No No
- DTS-HD No No

Maximum Audio Bandwidth ~384 Kbit/sec ~1 Mbit/sec

Link Discovery No CEC

Capability Discovery
None CEC
(Audio EDID, etc.)

Lip Sync No (Optional)

TV Mutes & Controls Volume No Yes (CEC)

Powering TV Powers Audio Device No Yes (CEC)

ARC Fallback No N/A

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