Making sense of HDMI ARC

DeaconFrost

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So, to make a long story short, my wife recently won a 65" 4K HiSense TV. Don't know much about the brand, but free is free. I have an LG sound card with an HDMI input and an HDMI ARC output. I've been doing a little reading on the subject, but still have some questions.

I get that if I connect the HDMI ARC ports on both TV and soundbar, I can control the soundbar from the TV, as if it is replacing the built-in speakers. But will other devices output sound to the soundbar, such as my Xbox One and Chromecast Utlra? If the answer is yes, can I use the soundbar's HDMI input to connect a device, such as the Chromecast, so I don't lose an HDMI port for the soundbar?

Maybe this makes it more clear:

HDMI1: Cable Box
HDMI2: Xbox One
HDMI3; Soundbar (ARC port)
HDMI4: Open

Will those devices output sound to the soundbar? If I were to connect my Chromecast to the soundbar's HDMI input, will that display on the TV, or will I need to use HDMI4?

Hopefully I haven't been too vague. If more info is needed, let me know. Thank you in advance.
 
yes everything should output to the soundbar. You may have to change settings on the TV to output soundbar but that is how ARC works in a nutshell.
 
Even though this has been confirmed I figured I'd second that. Yes, all audio should go to the soundbar. Think of your TV as if it were acting as a traditional receiver.
 
Even though this has been confirmed I figured I'd second that. Yes, all audio should go to the soundbar. Think of your TV as if it were acting as a traditional receiver.

Yes, or like your TV remote was controlling your receiver's volume.
 
I was pretty disappointed when I purchased my 4k Samsung and THEN realized it didn't have ARC like my old Samsung Plasma.. real shame they are dropping it on a lot of tv's. Congrats on getting one that still has it! Enjoy!
 
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