Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
HDMI cables carry digital audio and video information back and forth in your home system, plus ensure your devices communicate with each other for easy control. So how can you get everything hooked up and working right, with so many inputs, outputs, and cables to choose from?
Our expert shows you which connections do what, plus explains what all that HDMI jargon means in this video.
Shop for all your HDMI needs, plus a lot more at Crutchfield: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc334
The most important HDMI connection is the ARC or eARC connection. ARC stands for "audio return channel." That's the one that works two ways, carrying video to your TV and returning the audio to your sound equipment. All the other HDMI connections, like an Apple TV, game console, Blu-ray player, etc., connect as inputs, with their video and audio ultimately ending up passing through the ARC or eARC connection.
eARC means "enhanced audio return channel," and it's the current standard. It has the ability to carry a lot more signal than the original ARC, and thus is ideal for video gaming, where a lot of data needs to get through without smearing or stuttering of the picture. It's also the best option for home theater sound, because it passes through an uncompressed signal, where ARC needs to compress a bit.
CEC refers to "consumer electronics control," and with HDMI connected it means you can use one remote to control volume, on/off, and other basics so you don't need a pile of remotes or a programmable universal remote like in years past.
Crutchfield, America's trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at crutchfield.com
See more home and car electronics videos on our channel: youtube.com/user/crutchfieldtv
Video chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:44 Current standard is HDMI 2.1
1:37 How to tell if a cable is HDMI 2.1
1:54 What does an HDMI cable do?
2:22 What does ARC do?
2:56 ARC connection example #1
3:41 ARC connection example #2
4:33 ARC vs eARC
5:51 CEC: how devices "talk" to each other
7:10 Making the right HDMI connections
8:00 HDMI considerations for gamers
9:28 What is HDCP, and why should I care?
10:20 HDMI cables are "hot swappable"
10:44 Passive vs active HDMI cables
11:22 Directional HDMI cables
11:39 Recap and contact info
HDMI cables carry digital audio and video information back and forth in your home system, plus ensure your devices communicate with each other for easy control. So how can you get everything hooked up and working right, with so many inputs, outputs, and cables to choose from?
Our expert shows you which connections do what, plus explains what all that HDMI jargon means in this video.
Shop for all your HDMI needs, plus a lot more at Crutchfield: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc334
The most important HDMI connection is the ARC or eARC connection. ARC stands for "audio return channel." That's the one that works two ways, carrying video to your TV and returning the audio to your sound equipment. All the other HDMI connections, like an Apple TV, game console, Blu-ray player, etc., connect as inputs, with their video and audio ultimately ending up passing through the ARC or eARC connection.
eARC means "enhanced audio return channel," and it's the current standard. It has the ability to carry a lot more signal than the original ARC, and thus is ideal for video gaming, where a lot of data needs to get through without smearing or stuttering of the picture. It's also the best option for home theater sound, because it passes through an uncompressed signal, where ARC needs to compress a bit.
CEC refers to "consumer electronics control," and with HDMI connected it means you can use one remote to control volume, on/off, and other basics so you don't need a pile of remotes or a programmable universal remote like in years past.
Crutchfield, America's trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at crutchfield.com
See more home and car electronics videos on our channel: youtube.com/user/crutchfieldtv
Video chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:44 Current standard is HDMI 2.1
1:37 How to tell if a cable is HDMI 2.1
1:54 What does an HDMI cable do?
2:22 What does ARC do?
2:56 ARC connection example #1
3:41 ARC connection example #2
4:33 ARC vs eARC
5:51 CEC: how devices "talk" to each other
7:10 Making the right HDMI connections
8:00 HDMI considerations for gamers
9:28 What is HDCP, and why should I care?
10:20 HDMI cables are "hot swappable"
10:44 Passive vs active HDMI cables
11:22 Directional HDMI cables
11:39 Recap and contact info
