Make sure the unused HDMI port supports ARC, as normally TV only has 1 dedicated HDMI port that supports ARC and the other HDMI ports are just input only.
Check your TV manual which HDMI ports supports ARC

The HDMI ARC support need to be enabled from the configuration of your TV on the specific ARC supported HDMI port and your external audio receiver as well. Also most of the times it is required to enable the TV CEC support.

However there is no advantage of using HDMI ARC other than 1 less connection from TV to the audio receiver. Even though it is a HDMI connection, it can't pass through the high definition audio such as DTS-HD MA, Dolby TrueHD etc. So no different from using Optical output.

true in terms of sound quality - you're right. Not any different from optical.

But convenience - yes. I only need to use the TV remote and still see the TV volume bars on the screen.

Won't get this with optical...

thanks - I'll check this.

That's CEC functionality and not ARC..

Ahh..thanks.

Not sure about astro remote set volume, but if your soundbar got the HDMI Output with ARC, then connect this port to your TV HDMI INPUT (ARC), then when you watching astro, and on soundbar your astro sound will be sent to soundbar via the ARC (TV no more astro sound).


The ARC is just an extra bonus, we just need one connection from AV receiver/Soundbar to TV, then we can have sound from TV (Analog TV programs, Astro) to be output to soundbar (of course you wont be getting HD Audio like DTS HDMA, Dobly True HD). Furthermore TV programs or Astro do not have HD Audio at all.

You can only getting HD Audio from the HD Movies (Bluray, Bluray ISO, 1080p, remux), so just connect your HD player to AV Receiver/Soundbar then you can get the uncompressed HD audio (provided your av receiver/soundbar supported that particular HD Audio).

Parking for reference

I just bought Sony HT-CT800 sound bar and connected it to my Panasonic CX600 smart tv via both HDMI ARC ports and to TB box via HDMI port on sound bar.

I've got 2 problems:

1. Whenever I turn off TV box or TV, sound bar is still on and doesn't go to standby. I've checked the sound bar settings page and have set standby settings to auto. Any idea why sound bar cannot be on standby or turn off?

2. Whenever I play YouTube on my smart tv, the sound comes out from my tv speaker and none from my sound bar. But for my tvbox, sound comes out from sound bar instead of tv speaker.

Any idea how to some these 2 issues?

This post has been edited by jutamind: Nov 3 2017, 10:23 PM

Managed to solve both issues by simply change the sound origins in tv from TV sound profile to Home Cinema sound profile

why when i off my tv... my home theater system automatic go mute...

when i unmute also no sound. but if i on and off it will have sound back.

panasonic tv, sony home theater with ARC only

anyone?