The signal is transmitted in the form of light through glass strands that do not suffer from interference. Optical audio, on the other hand, uses fiber optic strands made from glass, which are complex and expensive to produce. Although copper cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, they have served us well for centuries. HDMI cables are made using copper wires, which are cheap and easy to produce. HDMI ARC and digital optical cables are distinguished by the materials they are made from. Lets discuss all the difference in detail. Feature/Capabilityĭifferences Between HDMI ARC And Optical Audio Let us now compare Optical Audio and HDMI ARC and how they differ.
So make sure to buy a soundbar or A/V receiver that can work with your TV. For instance, HDMI sound is not supported by some soundbars. Therefore, they are not affected by electromagnetic interference.Īnother thing you should check is the compatibility of your equipment. However, they use light for transmitting signals instead of electrical currents. It is easy to manufacture optical cables. In contrast, optical cables are made of fiber optic strands made of glass. But it can be affected by electromagnetic interference. The main reasons we manufacture these cables with copper are its low cost, ease of production, and long history. Copper is a common material used in electronic cable manufacturing and is the primary component of HDMI cables. In terms of material construction, HDMI and optical are very different. It shouldn’t be a problem since you already have an HD television. An optical cable will not transmit video, which is the only difference between the two in terms of function. These cables are used for transmitting multi-channel audio between devices. The optical cable and HDMI ARC serve the same purpose. It became very popular in the ’90s when it was recognized as the most convenient way to connect your cable/satellite box to your receiver. Toshiba developed this device in the 1980s. Audio signals are transmitted from one device to another using this technology, especially in consumer audio equipment such as CD/DVD players, game consoles, and DAT recorders. TOSLINK, or optical audio, is a system of optical fibers that transfers audio from a device to an audio AV receiver or speaker.
However, what exactly is HDMI ARC? ARC stands for Audio Return Channel, which connects your TV and sound system with a single high-speed HDMI cable – thus eliminating the need for a composite or optical audio cable. Since HDMI was initially developed, several versions have been released, with the most recent HDMI 2.1 version offering enough bandwidth to allow console gamers to play in 4K at 120Hz. As well as being the most popular format for consumer goods, it is also widely used in the commercial AV sector. Now, let’s get started! What is HDMI ARC?Īn HDMI cable is an interface that enables a connection between a device and a TV or monitor to transmit high-definition video and audio. Which is Better Optical Audio or HDMI ARC? You’re on the right page if you want to read about audio quality, features, and how HDMI ARC and digital optical compare. There are many facets to consider, such as cable length, quality, connection options, and the cables you already have. You may be stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to decide which is better for your television because it has both digital optical audio and HDMI ARC capabilities. HDMI cables that support ARC (or even eARC) provide a better all-around experience. Both are excellent choices when delivering high-quality audio to your sound system, but which is better? Optical or Toslink cables are the two most popular ways to connect more expansive A/V systems and soundbars to your TV, games console, or media player.