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eARC Extender - Home Theater System

  • June 6, 2025
  • 11 replies
  • 136 views
Daze
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  • Daze
  • Contributor I
  • 3 replies

Hello Sonos Community. 

 

This is my first post, and its a question I am hoping someone else has solved already. 

 

My system:

Arc Sound Bar

Era 300 x 2

Gen 3 Sub

Apple TV 4K

Sony Bravia 8 (K-77XR80)

 

I am looking to use the eARC HDMI port on my TV with my Apple TV, however from what I understand I have to use that port for my Sonos sound system as well.  Meaning I have one port, and I need two on the TV. Does any one know of or can recommend an eARC Extender(Does that exists)?  I am hoping there is such a thing so I can plug the Apple TV HDMI cable and the Sonos HDMI cable into the same eARC port on the Sony TV.

I am wanting to get the most from the Apple TV as far as sound / video goes and I cannot do that if the Sonos System is using the only eARC port on the TV.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Daze (Jeff)

Best answer by Rhonny

​@Daze 

Apple TV to any HDMI.

Arc to the eARC port. Your Apple TV does NOT need this port.

Ensure Dolby Atmos is on in your Apple TV sound settings, and that you are playing Dolby Atmos content (ensure your subscriptions have that).

Ensure you have Passthrough activated in your TV sound output settings so the Apple TV signal isn’t processed by the TV.

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11 replies

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • 44829 replies
  • June 6, 2025

You don’t need to connect the Apple TV to the eARC port. Any HDMI port will do. Only the Sonos gets added to the eARC port, nothing else.

Bruce
Daze
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  • Daze
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 3 replies
  • June 7, 2025

You don’t need to connect the Apple TV to the eARC port. Any HDMI port will do. Only the Sonos gets added to the eARC port, nothing else.

I forgot to add, I want to take advantage of Dolby ATOMS from the Apple TV and from the Sonos system.  That is the kicker.  You have to use the eARC port for both.  

 

Jeff

Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • 12406 replies
  • June 7, 2025

Strange, I have no issues getting Atmos sound using a regular HDMI port for input and the eARC HDMI port to connect my soundbar.

Where are you seeing the requirement to use the eARC as an input to your TV and not as the output to your soundnar?

How would that even work considering I have never seen a TV with multiple eARC ports?

AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 7, 2025

I agree with ​@Airgetlam and ​@Stanley_4 . If you are not getting Dolby Atmos via AppleTV make sure of the following:

Apple TV models from the 4th generation onwards support Dolby Atmos. To get Atmos on Apple TV, ensure that your software is up to date and check your TV and soundbar connections and settings. You can also play audio in Dolby Atmos by adjusting the audio format settings on your Apple TV

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • 44829 replies
  • June 7, 2025

As I stated, there’s no reason to connect the Apple TV to the eARC port. The Atmos signal is carried by the regular HDMI ports to the CEC system in the TV, which then sends out the signal via the eARC port. Which is then used for connection of a speaker, in this case a Sonos. 

Bruce
R
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  • Rhonny
  • Prodigy II
  • 2607 replies
  • Answer
  • June 7, 2025

​@Daze 

Apple TV to any HDMI.

Arc to the eARC port. Your Apple TV does NOT need this port.

Ensure Dolby Atmos is on in your Apple TV sound settings, and that you are playing Dolby Atmos content (ensure your subscriptions have that).

Ensure you have Passthrough activated in your TV sound output settings so the Apple TV signal isn’t processed by the TV.

106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • 6600 replies
  • June 7, 2025

​@Daze Where did you find the ATV needs eARC?

jgatie
  • jgatie
  • 28217 replies
  • June 7, 2025

I forgot to add, I want to take advantage of Dolby ATOMS from the Apple TV and from the Sonos system.  That is the kicker.  You have to use the eARC port for both.  

 

Jeff

 

No, that isn’t the kicker.  There is absolutely no need to connect the Apple TV to an eARC port to get Dolby Atmos.  Connect the Arc to the eARC HDMI.  Connect the Apple TV to any regular HDMI. 

Daze
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  • Daze
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 3 replies
  • June 7, 2025

You guys were correct.   I have it connected and working great.  Thanks for the information everyone.

AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 7, 2025

​@Daze 

Just curious…

You started your post 20 hrs ago and received your answer 20 hrs ago. Yet still you had to be convinced by 6 different members that whatever you were thinking was wrong. Why didn’t you just plug the ATV into an HDMI port 19 hrs ago to try what was suggested without all the back and forth? Seems you wasted a lot of your time and enjoyment of your ATV.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Daze
Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Daze
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 3 replies
  • June 7, 2025

​@Daze 

Just curious…

You started your post 20 hrs ago and received your answer 20 hrs ago. Yet still you had to be convinced by 6 different members that whatever you were thinking was wrong. Why didn’t you just plug the ATV into an HDMI port 19 hrs ago to try what was suggested without all the back and forth? Seems you wasted a lot of your time and enjoyment of your ATV.

 

Your comment comes off as unnecessary and condescending. How I choose to troubleshoot something with my equipment and my time is entirely up to me. I posted in good faith to gather different perspectives before taking action—something forums are meant for. If that bothers you, you’re free to scroll past. No need to police how others go about solving their own issues.

Bye Bye,

Daze

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