Why don't all the HDMI ports of a TV support ARC?

avg123 · February 13, 2021

ARC is a useful feature. It is part of the HDMI specification now. So why don't all the HDMI ports of a TV, Receiver, or Soundbar support ARC.

Usually only one HDMI port supports ARC.

Is there some technical limitation that does not allow more than ARC port?

Can a device have multiple ARC ports?

Letgomyleghoe · February 13, 2021

you wouldn't really need to use multiple ARC ports at once, and it's likely cheaper for the manufacture to just use regular ports, I'm sure there's tv's or displays with multiple ARC ports but there's no reason for it.

RageTester · February 13, 2021

1 hour ago, Letgomyleghoe said:

there's no reason for it.

Have yet to brake full size HDMI port, so I guess it's non issue.

But assuming it's the port you use all the time, it would break down 1st... but by the time you could already afford cheaper TV with better specs...

Kisai · February 13, 2021

3 hours ago, avg123 said:

ARC is a useful feature. It is part of the HDMI specification now. So why don't all the HDMI ports of a TV, Receiver, or Soundbar support ARC.

Usually only one HDMI port supports ARC.

Is there some technical limitation that does not allow more than ARC port?

Can a device have multiple ARC ports?

You can't because the ARC port is intended for the surround receiver. The TV should be able to program one of the ports for ARC. If ARC runs to all ports, it consumes internal bandwidth, and bandwidth on the devices if they don't use ARC.

In a perfect situation you want only one or two audio outputs so that you don't have audio coming out with different latency. You have to program the surround boxes for audio latency.