The best connection between your TV and Teufel system is usually HDMI ARC or eARC. This allows video and audio signals to be transmitted conveniently, often requiring just a single HDMI cable between your TV and audio system. The right connection option for you depends on:
1. Does your TV support HDMI ARC or eARC?2. Does your audio system support HDMI passthrough?3. Where are your source devices, such as game consoles or Blu-ray players, connected?
This article shows the right connection option for your device combination.
Table of Contents
- What is HDMI ARC?
- What is HDMI Passthrough?
- Which connection variant is the right one?
- Variant 1: TV with HDMI ARC and HDMI Passthrough
- Variant 2: TV with HDMI ARC without HDMI Passthrough
- Variant 3: TV without HDMI ARC with HDMI Passthrough
- Variant 4: TV without HDMI ARC and without HDMI Passthrough
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is HDMI ARC?
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is an audio return channel within an HDMI connection. This allows the TV to send audio back to a soundbar, AV receiver, or other audio system via the same HDMI cable.
Advantages of HDMI ARC:
- Fewer cables between TV and audio system
- Volume control often possible via the TV remote
- Devices can be turned on and off together
- More convenient installation
How can I tell if my TV supports HDMI ARC?
The HDMI port is often labeled directly with “ARC” or “eARC.” Alternatively, you can find this information in the user manual or the manufacturer's technical specifications.
More information can be found in our blog:
- What HDMI cables can do: ARC and CEC explained
- HDMI, ARC, CEC - what is it?
- What goes where? Audio cables explained
2. What is HDMI Passthrough?
HDMI passthrough means that video and audio signals from a source device (e.g. Blu-ray player, game console, or streaming box) are passed through an AV receiver or soundbar to the TV. The video signal is forwarded to the TV, while the audio signal can be processed and output by the audio system. Many devices support HDMI passthrough even in standby mode, so video and audio reach the TV without the receiver being turned on.
Typical example: Game console → Audio system → TV
The audio system processes the sound and forwards the video signal to the TV. Often, this even works in standby mode.
3. Which connection variant is the right one?
You can find your variant with the following 2 steps:
- Check if your TV’s HDMI port is labeled “ARC” or “eARC.”
- Check your audio system’s user manual to see if HDMI passthrough is supported.
Based on the table, you can then select the appropriate connection variant directly.
| HDMI ARC / eARC on TV | HDMI Passthrough on Audio System | Connection Principle |
Recommendation | Matching Variant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Source device → Audio system → TV |
Best solution for convenience and simple cabling | Variant 1 |
| Yes | No | Source device → TV → Audio system |
Good solution with few limitations | Variant 2 |
| No | Yes | Source device → Audio system → TV + separate audio cable |
Works, requires additional audio cable | Variant 3 |
| No | No | Source device → TV + separate audio cable to audio system |
Only recommended if no other option is available | Variant 4 |
Variant 1: Setting up TV with HDMI ARC and Passthrough Connection
In this variant, the Teufel system (e.g. Teufel soundbar or an AV receiver) acts as the central hub. You connect playback devices such as Blu-ray players or game consoles via HDMI cables. The sound system takes over the audio signal and passes the video signal on to the TV. Conveniently, the TV audio is sent back to the audio system via the HDMI ARC cable. This saves an additional cable and reduces effort.
Advantages:
- Only 1 HDMI cable needed between sound system and TV
- No complicated cabling of the TV required
- Sound system and TV turn off simultaneously
- Volume of the audio system adjustable via TV remote control
- Automatic source switching when playback devices are turned on
Variant 2: TV with HDMI ARC without Passthrough Connection
With this solution, you connect all playback devices via HDMI directly to the TV. The TV acts as the central interface. Thanks to the ARC connection, the TV forwards all audio signals to the audio system, allowing it to output sound in high quality. When connecting, you only make minor compromises: it is a bit more cumbersome.
Advantages:
- Only 1 HDMI cable needed between audio device and TV
- Audio system switches on and off with the TV
- Convenient volume control of the sound system via TV remote
- Automatic source switching when playback devices are turned on
Disadvantages:
- Connection to TV is a bit more cumbersome than Variant 1
Variant 3: TV without HDMI ARC Port and with Passthrough
Your TV does not allow an audio return channel via ARC? Then this variant is the best solution. First, check if a regular HDMI port is configured as input or output. Additionally, you need an extra audio cable to connect the TV and Teufel system. Since the TV audio is transmitted via the separate cable, the TV also acts as a source device. Three types of cables are suitable for this connection:
- RCA connectors for transmitting analog signals electrically via two connectors
- Toslink cables for transmitting audio optically using a light signal
- Coaxial cables with separate inner and outer conductors
Advantages:
- Audio system switches on and off with the TV
Disadvantages:
- Additional cable connection required
- Volume control of the audio system cannot be done via TV remote
Variant 4: TV without HDMI ARC Port and without Passthrough
If the HDMI connection to the TV can only be made without ARC, there is one more option. Although it has many disadvantages, it is presented here for completeness. In this case, all playback devices are connected directly to the TV using regular HDMI cables. Passthrough is therefore not used. For this variant, you also need a separate RCA, Toslink, or coaxial cable. The audio cable transmits the TV sound to the sound system.
Disadvantages:
- Additional audio cable necessary
- Sound system and TV do not turn on and off simultaneously
- Volume of the audio device cannot be controlled via TV remote