HomePod HomePods and Apple TV and ARC (not eARC)

[tCHat89]

Hi,

I have a Samsung TV from 2018, which only supports ARC (and not eARC). I plan to buy 2 HomePods (Gen 2) and use them as a pair with my Apple TV 4K.

What will I lose in terms of audio quality with this setup compared to a scenario where the TV supports eARC?

Are those HomePods overkill for this setup?

OR is this a stupid question if I use an App on the Apple TV to stream the signal ?

 

[waw74]

eARC just adds extra bandwidth so that it can carry newer higher bandwidth formats, regular ARC will carry dolby digital 5.1 just fine.

The only thing it would add is atmos, which the homepods just kinda similate, so you're not loosing a lot


If you're using an app on the aTV, then it will just go direct from the aTV to the homepods.
If you're using an app on your television, or a device connected to your TV, like a cable box or blu-ray player, then eARC is used to get audio to your homepods, by routing though the TV.

So if you're not using anything besides the aTV to play videos, then you won't need ARC/eARC at all.

and if you are using another device to play, it will be limited to DD5.1, which for a system like the hompods with no way to add surrounds, is more than enough.

you may want to look at other options, you should be able to get a sound bar with subs and surrounds for similar or less price than 2 homepods. I prefer a hard wired connection for my AV stuff, less options for failure or interference.