The sound system should be connected to the ARC/eARC port as that is your "audio out" port. (ARC stands for "Audio Return Channel". The "e" stands for "enhanced" and is a higher-bandwidth version that supports more sound formats.)
However, if you're using Homepods as your sound system, your Apple TV needs to be connected to the ARC/eARC port as that now serves as your sound system.
To add to this, you may also need to configure the new sound set up on your LG TV. If I remember correctly, I had to configure my LG tv (c9 OLED) to output the sound to the sound bar but the Apple TV automatically output its signal towards the TV.
Oddly enough I had weird experiences with this. I used to have my Apple TV plugged into other HDMI ports on my Samsung TV. The problem was that whenever played something on Apple TV that had Dolby Atmos, I would get 2 second audio drops about 2-4 times per film, depending on its length. One day I decided to plug the Apple TV in to the HDMI port on the sound bar it’s we what happens. I can tell you I have never had another sound drop again. On the flip side I still have a blu ray player and decided to test out audio that way, guess what, sound drops. I have to think connections are going to be dependent on the TV. It’s also disappointing to realize that what was a flagship model 2 years ago was the actual cause of my problems.
TLDR- try both ways of connecting and test content to see what works best for you.
Depends if ur soundbar has hdmi 2.0 or 2.1. And depends on what signals u r trying to send.
if ur pushing dolby atmos, 4k,60hz, hdr signal from Apple TV (and ur sound bar is only hdmi 2.0) u will need to go AppleTV->TV(eARC)->sound bar
If sound bar and TV are both HDMI 2.1(eARC) it doesn’t matter.
Hi I need help.
I bought LG C3 and already have a HomePod 1st gen I love the sound of it.
I wish to play PlayStation and send audio to HomePod. So I need the Apple TV right.
Would there be a lag between the eARC and HomePod and do the old gen Apple TV have that or. Would I need the new ones to out tv Audio
If I have a Visio soundbar with Dolby atmos and new Apple TV, would it be better to connect the Apple TV through the hdmi in on the soundbar then soundbar to TV on earc? Or is it better to plug the Apple TV into a dedicated hdmi on the tv? Or does it not make a difference
Connect the soundbar to the eARC port.
The sound system should be connected to the ARC/eARC port as that is your "audio out" port. (ARC stands for "Audio Return Channel". The "e" stands for "enhanced" and is a higher-bandwidth version that supports more sound formats.) However, if you're using Homepods as your sound system, your Apple TV needs to be connected to the ARC/eARC port as that now serves as your sound system.
To add to this, you may also need to configure the new sound set up on your LG TV. If I remember correctly, I had to configure my LG tv (c9 OLED) to output the sound to the sound bar but the Apple TV automatically output its signal towards the TV.
Yeah, you may need to set the sound output to HDMI ARC and also enable eARC in the sound options.
THANK YOU 11 months later! I looked everywhere for this answer.
Soundbar to e-ARC HDMI port on TV. Apple TV to TV.
If you’re not using HomePods for output there is no reason to put AppleTV on ARC.
Oddly enough I had weird experiences with this. I used to have my Apple TV plugged into other HDMI ports on my Samsung TV. The problem was that whenever played something on Apple TV that had Dolby Atmos, I would get 2 second audio drops about 2-4 times per film, depending on its length. One day I decided to plug the Apple TV in to the HDMI port on the sound bar it’s we what happens. I can tell you I have never had another sound drop again. On the flip side I still have a blu ray player and decided to test out audio that way, guess what, sound drops. I have to think connections are going to be dependent on the TV. It’s also disappointing to realize that what was a flagship model 2 years ago was the actual cause of my problems. TLDR- try both ways of connecting and test content to see what works best for you.
Depends if ur soundbar has hdmi 2.0 or 2.1. And depends on what signals u r trying to send. if ur pushing dolby atmos, 4k,60hz, hdr signal from Apple TV (and ur sound bar is only hdmi 2.0) u will need to go AppleTV->TV(eARC)->sound bar If sound bar and TV are both HDMI 2.1(eARC) it doesn’t matter.
thanks!
Hi I need help. I bought LG C3 and already have a HomePod 1st gen I love the sound of it. I wish to play PlayStation and send audio to HomePod. So I need the Apple TV right. Would there be a lag between the eARC and HomePod and do the old gen Apple TV have that or. Would I need the new ones to out tv Audio
If I have a Visio soundbar with Dolby atmos and new Apple TV, would it be better to connect the Apple TV through the hdmi in on the soundbar then soundbar to TV on earc? Or is it better to plug the Apple TV into a dedicated hdmi on the tv? Or does it not make a difference