HDMI ARC cables offer more functionality than optical cables. They support high-definition audio and video using a single cable and give you control over all of your connected devices with one remote. However, if your devices are compatible, you may want to consider an HDMI eARC cable for the best audio experience. HDMI eARC supports lossless audio formats and provides more advanced features like enhanced audio and video synchronization.
Are you struggling to decide which audio cable – Optical Audio or HDMI ARC – is better to connect your AV receiver, soundbar, or gaming setup to your TV?
There are strong opinions on using one connection over the other, but our recent survey shows there’s one that most prefer using.
Which Audio Cable Do Most People Prefer to Use?
The chart above shows the data from a survey we conducted in December 2023. Our survey collected a total of 147 responses. Among these responses, 63% (92 votes) use HDMI ARC/eARC in their home theaters.
The remaining 37% (55 votes) are from those who either prefer using optical cables or are limited to TOSLINK because their equipment doesn’t support ARC/eARC.
While both digital connection methods are widely compatible with modern devices, their capabilities and limitations make them distinctly different.
This comparison guide will give you insights beyond just the technical specifications. We’ll explore how these cables impact your audiovisual experience, from sound quality to compatibility, and weigh their pros and cons in different scenarios so you know when one should be used over another.
By the end, you’ll understand the nuances between Optical Audio and HDMI ARC and be well-equipped with the information needed to choose the best connection for your specific audio setup to achieve the best audiovisual experience. Plus, we’ll discuss another available audio connection that stacks up well against both.
Let’s begin by looking at what each audio cable offers regarding features and support.
Feature/Aspect | Optical Audio Cable (TOSLINK) | HDMI ARC | HDMI eARC |
Audio Transmission | Digital data as light | High-definition video and compressed audio | Uncompressed, high-definition video and audio |
Supported Audio Channels | Up to 5.1 channels of compressed audio | Up to 5.1 channels compressed audio, including Dolby Digital Plus (adds extra channels) | Up to 32 channels of uncompressed audio, supports Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X |
Interference Susceptibility | Low | Medium | Low-Medium |
Recommended Max Cable Length | 32.8 ft | 25 ft | 15 ft |
Compatibility | Older and newer devices | Requires HDMI ARC ports on devices | Best with devices supporting HDMI 2.1; backward compatible with ARC |
Advanced Features | None | CEC support, audio/video sync | Enhanced CEC, advanced audio formats, higher bandwidth, improved lip-sync |
Use Case | Simple surround sound setups, for old devices, when longer cable runs are needed | Modern AV setups with a need for audio/video through one cable | Advanced home theaters requiring high-quality, lossless audio |
What is an Optical Audio Cable?
An optical audio cable, or a TOSLINK cable, is a fiber optic cable specifically designed for digital audio transmission. Instead of an analog signal, it carries digital data as light, similar to fiber optic lines.
At the source device, like a TV, DVD player, etc., the digital audio signal is converted into light and transmitted through the optical connection to the receiving device like a Soundbar or AV receiver.
After traveling through a fiber optic cable, the light signal is received and transformed back into a digital audio signal. This signal is then processed and used to produce sound through the speakers.
The Pros and Cons of Optical Audio Cables
Pros of Using Optical Audio Cables
- Reliability and Interference-Free: Optical cables use light to send digital audio signals, so they don’t get interference from things like Wi-Fi. This gives you a clear sound without any annoying buzz or static.
- Longer Cable Runs: Optical cables are a better choice for entertainment setups that require longer cable runs. They can transmit signals over long distances without losing quality, an advantage the glass fibers provide over the copper used in HDMI cables. An optical connection is particularly useful in setups where devices are spaced far apart or when running cables across a room.
- Good for Surround Sound: They work well with most surround sound systems, supporting up to 5.1 audio channels.
- Works with Old and New Audio Devices: Optical cables are likely to work with your equipment whether you have the latest soundbar or an older stereo receiver.
Cons of Using Optical Audio Cables
- Only for Sound, Not Video: Optical cables are only for audio, so you’ll need an additional cable to send video to your TV.
- Durability: The cable’s fibers can break easily if bent or installed carelessly. Any kink in the cable could affect the audio quality. This really becomes a concern when you want to install them through walls. Also, the connectors at the ends of optical cables can be a little finicky. They can become loose over time or feel like they’re not in place if unplugged and plugged back in repeatedly.
- Lacks CEC Support: They don’t support CEC (Consumer electronics control) functions. This means you’ll have to use a separate remote for your TV and device.
- Limited to Basic Surround Sound: For up to 5.1 channels, it’s a suitable cable, but they can’t carry high-bitrate formats like Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio.
What is an HDMI ARC Cable?
HDMI ARC is a type of HDMI cable that transmits high-definition video and compressed audio signals through a single cable using high-quality copper wires.
The Audio Return Channel (ARC) HDMI feature, which was first introduced in 2009 as part of the HDMI 1.4 cable specification, improves the audio experience for consumers by enabling two-way audio communication between a TV and an external audio system like a soundbar or AV receiver while maintaining the video quality and supporting up to a 5.1 channel configuration.
They effectively eliminate the need for separate audio and video connections between devices, making integrating media components more streamlined and user-friendly.
The Pros and Cons of HDMI ARC Cables
Pros of Using HDMI ARC
- Easy Audio and Video Setup: HDMI ARC makes setting up your TV and sound system easier by using just one cable for both sound and picture. This means fewer cables to worry about.
- Works Well with New Devices: Modern TVs, sound systems, and gaming consoles are compatible.
- Keeps Sound and Picture in Sync: You won’t have to worry about the sound not matching what’s on the screen. It automatically aligns audio with the video.
- CEC Support: This feature enhances the interoperability between different HDMI devices, allowing control over your TV and audio device with one remote. This includes powering devices on/off, adjusting volume, and adjusting audio based on video inputs.
- Extension of Audio Channels: With Dolby Digital Plus, you can add more audio channels to your home theater without requiring the newest audio formats.
Cons of Using HDMI ARC
- Requires HDMI ARC Ports: For HDMI ARC to function, the TV and connected audio device must have ARC-compatible HDMI ports.
- Not Compatible with Older Devices: This can be a significant downside if you’re trying to integrate older systems into your home theater setup.
- Unpredictable CEC Functionality: The performance of HDMI ARC depends on how the CEC is implemented by the manufacturer of your connected device. Inconsistent CEC implementations from different brands can cause compatibility issues or unpredictable behavior with the functionality.
- Restricted High-End Audio Format Support: Although HDMI ARC cables give you access to more channels through Dolby Digital Plus, like optical cables, they still lack the support for high-quality formats.
The Introduction of HDMI eARC
In 2017, the HDMI 2.1 specification was released, introducing the new Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) cable. This was a massive advancement in audio transmission. HDMI eARC allowed for the processing of uncompressed audio and the support of lossless audio.
This meant that audio signals could be transmitted without losing sound quality. With this evolution came advancements in sound reproduction, providing more precise and realistic audio.
eARC can also handle a lot more data at once, which is important for getting the best sound quality.
This is especially true for newer audio formats that give you actual immersive experiences with three-dimensional soundstages, like Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X.
Plus, eARC works with up to 32 sound channels, so it’s perfect for building a custom home theater and giving you a lot of flexibility to create the environment you want.
Optical vs. HDMI ARC/eARC: Comparing Audiovisual Performance
Supported Audio Formats and Sound Quality
Optical Audio Cables (TOSLINK) are good for simple surround sound setups. They work well with standard audio formats like PCM (a basic but high-quality 2-channel audio format) and support compressed 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and DTS.
Because optical cables transmit audio signals through light, they aren’t susceptible to electromagnetic interferences.
This provides a pure, reliable, and clean sound. However, it operates with low bandwidth, so it can’t handle the more advanced, high-bitrate and object-based audio.
HDMI ARC is a step ahead of optical audio and the better option if your TV and sound system supports it.
It handles all the same formats as TOSLINK but adds support for Dolby Digital Plus. This audio format adds a 2-channel bitstream extension to Dolby Digital that your external audio system can decode.
So, if you have a 7.1 (8-channel) system, the HDMI ARC cable would provide the correct audio to those extra speakers and open up a larger soundstage.
However, to get the full effect, your TV, AV receiver, soundbar, or other devices must also be compatible with Dolby Digital Plus.
If not, it will revert to a 5.1 channel mix. As for added audio formatting, there’s not a significant shift from optical cables to HDMI ARC. For that, you’ll need to look at HDMI eARC cables.
Understanding the differences between soundbars and surround sound systems can further guide your choice between Optical Audio and HDMI ARC connections.
HDMI eARC provides excellent sound quality and a lossless audio experience with the latest high-definition audio formats. They handle every audio format available today and will be able to do so for the foreseeable future.
These formats include up to 5.1 (6-channels) or 7.1 (8-channels) of uncompressed PCM and up to 32 channels of uncompressed audio through Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
If your devices are compatible with eARC, you shouldn’t be using any other cable.
Cable Type | Supported Audio Formats |
Optical Audio Cable (TOSLINK) |
|
HDMI ARC |
|
HDMI eARC |
|
Synchronization
In terms of synchronization, TOSLINK cables typically have the most trouble compared to HDMI eARC and HDMI ARC cables. This is because they can only transmit audio. This means the audio and video signals travel separately on different paths.
This separation can sometimes cause a delay between what you see on the screen and what you hear, becoming out of sync.
This isn’t an issue with HDMI ARC/eARC connections because they transmit the audio and video signals through a single cable.
In addition, HDMI ARC and eARC, as advanced types of HDMI cables, both feature automatic audio synchronization capabilities. This means the timing between the audio and video signals is adjusted in real-time, automatically aligning themselves together and reducing delays.
Compatibility
In the 1980s, Toshiba revolutionized audio technology by introducing optical audio cables, which allowed customers to connect their CD players to an AV receiver. Since then, the TOSLINK name and technology have remained consistent, providing a simple digital connection for older and newer devices without issue.
Over the years, optical audio cables have been used to connect DVD/Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, AV receivers, soundbars, home theater systems, and in some professional settings.
While they’re not the most advanced audio connection, they’re still reliable, especially when HDMI ports are limited or when recording audio and video in modern sound systems.
HDMI ARC cables are backward compatible with any older version of HDMI cables (versions 1.0-1.3), but eARC cables aren’t. With HDMI eARC, the full functionality of advanced features like higher bandwidth and lossless audio formats is only possible when both devices support eARC.
However, HDMI eARC cables are backward compatible with HDMI ARC systems to an extent. If you were to connect an HDMI eARC cable to a device that supports only HDMI ARC, it would still transmit sound, but you’d be limited to the bandwidth and audio capabilities of HDMI ARC.
Looking at the broad compatibility of each, optical audio cables hold the advantage over HDMI ARC/eARC.
Cable Length and Materials
If you need to reach a device that’s far away, or if you want to hide your audio cable in walls for aesthetic purposes, you’ll need a longer audio cable to do that.
Whether you’re choosing to use an optical cable or HDMI ARC/eARC, each brand will have its own recommended max distance they can run before signal loss and sound issues occur.
Typically, cables built with higher-quality materials will be able to transmit signals further than those that are cheaply built.
Max Length for Optical Fiber Cables
High-quality optical fiber cables use a silica glass core to transmit the light signals and are surrounded by a plastic cladding layer. This cladding layer is then wrapped with an outer jacket that’s made from durable materials like PVC or TPU, providing added protection.
Many optical cables also include gold-plated connectors that are more durable and resistant to corrosion. This helps to maintain a stable and high-quality connection with minimal signal loss.
The maximum recommended cable length for optical cables is between 15 and 32.8ft (5 to 10 meters), depending on your equipment. Once you get past that point, you could technically continue the run if you wanted.
But there’s no guarantee the sound quality will be any good. The longer you extend it, the more likely you’ll encounter signal loss issues.
To extend the cable length, you can attach two optical cables to a coupler, or if you’re using an AV receiver, you can use an optical to coaxial converter. In my opinion, the coaxial converter does a great job of maintaining the signal’s integrity.
Max Length for HDMI ARC Cables
An HDMI ARC cable 25 feet or less is generally recommended to avoid any potential signal loss or sound issues. If you need to go beyond that distance, consider using an active optical HDMI cable instead. This type of cable is designed to maintain the signal quality even over longer distances by incorporating optical fibers with the pass-through.
Max Length for HDMI eARC Cables
The HDMI 2.1 hardware specifications state that every functionality of eARC cables should be able to be achieved at 15ft (5 meters) or less, though they don’t specify a specific max length. This shorter distance is because of the higher bandwidth requirements of eARC, which is designed to support more advanced audio formats.
For setups requiring longer cable runs, make sure to choose the right type of cable. A high-quality HDMI 2.1 cable with a thick copper conductor and shielding layer can help reduce signal degradation and maintain eARC functionality. In some cases, an active cable solution may be necessary.
HDMI ARC and eARC cables should have a strong copper conductor and multi-layer shielding (including aluminum and copper) to reduce signal interference and provide sound stability.
Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)
CEC functionality is a feature that lets users control the volume, power, and other settings of their TV and connected audio devices (like a soundbar or AV receiver) with one remote control.
Optical cables don’t support this feature as they are designed exclusively for audio transmission. HDMI ARC supports basic CEC functionality, but for the most advanced control, HDMI eARC cables are recommended. Using eARC cables, you’ll get:
- Automatic Device Detection and Synchronization for synced audio-video timings without having to activate CEC functionality in your settings.
- Advanced Audio Control for managing complex audio settings and ensuring lip sync.
- One-Touch Play for turning on all systems simultaneously and switching them to the correct input, all with a single button press and input selection.
- Routing Control to manage audio distribution, allowing audio from the TV to be sent to the soundbar while simultaneously playing different audio from another source through the TV’s speakers.
- Voice Control Integration for systems integrated with smart home technology. This lets you use voice control through the TV or a connected smart speaker.
If convenience and the ability to control multiple devices with one remote are priorities, HDMI ARC/eARC is the better choice over optical cables.
Which Audio Cable is Better? Optical vs. HDMI ARC vs. eARC?
With all the information in this comparison guide, you should now be able to decide which cable will better fit you in your setup.
To summarize what we covered:
Optical Cables Are Best For
- Basic home theaters
- Setups requiring long cable runs
- Older devices lacking HDMI ARC compatibility
Optical audio cables are great for basic audio needs. They’re reliable, don’t pick up interference, and work well with older equipment. However, they don’t support the latest high-quality audio formats and can only handle up to 5.1 surround sound.
HDMI ARC Cables Are Best For
- Modern home entertainment systems
- Users seeking simplified cabling and remote control functionality
- Audio setups that don’t require the highest-end audio formats
HDMI ARC cables are a step up from Optical Audio. They combine the audio and video in one cable, eliminating the need to separate them. They’re compatible with newer sound systems and support slightly better audio quality. They also allow you to control your TV and sound system with one remote.
HDMI eARC Cables Are Best For
- Audiophiles seeking lossless, high-definition audio
- Systems requiring advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
- If you’re just starting to build your own home theater system and plan to add more speakers in the future
HDMI eARC is the best cable choice for those who want support for advanced audio formats and automatic synchronization features. They deliver high-bandwidth audio signals, providing an unmatched immersive audio experience.
Equipment Compatibility Checklist
- Most TVs
- Soundbars
- DVD/Blu-ray Players
- AV Receivers
- Newer and Older TVs
- Gaming Consoles
- Modern Surround Sound
- AV Receivers
- Latest TVs
- Soundbars
- High-End Audio Systems
- Advanced Audio Formats
In the comments below, let us know which cable type you prefer to use or which cable has worked the best for you and your setup
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