ARC (Audio Return Channel) & CEC (Consumer Electronic Control)

What is ARC? ARC or Audio Return Channel is a feature of the HDMI Specification (available on HDMI version 1.4 and forward) that allows you to send audio “upstream” from your TV’s HDMI Input port back to your Audio System’s HDMI Output port. This allows you to listen to the TV’s internal audio sources (Smart-TV Apps like Netflix / Hulu or Tuned Over-the-Air Channels) as well as your TV’s other HDMI inputs through your Audio System using only one cable. It is important to note that both devices in this signal chain (Smart TV & Audio System) must have ARCcapable HDMI input and output ports. These ARC capable ports will be labeled specifically for this function.     If you do not have an ARC capable sound system, you can use the J-Tech Digital HDMI Audio Extractor w/ ARC function, to extract the audio from your TV and output the audio signal via SPDIF or 3.5 mm analog audio to your sound system.

***Please note that when you’re using the ARC function of HDMI, both your TV and your Sound System device must have CEC enabled.***

What is CEC?

CEC or Consumer Electronic Control is a feature of HDMI that allows you to command and control other CEC enabled devices that are connected through HDMI, without user intervention.

An example of the CEC power and Input feature would be allowing your DVD player to turn on your television and change its input over the HDMI cable, or allows your PlayStation 4 to power and change inputs on your AV receiver.

Manufacturers may use different names for CEC with their products. Some common names for CEC include: