Samsung releases eARC update for three soundbars from 2019

Samsung has released the eARC update for the Q70R, Q80R and Q90R soundbar. This means that users can, for example, transmit lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio to the soundbar via their television.

On a European page of Samsung, among others, users report in a forum topic that update 1010.5 has arrived for the three soundbars mentioned. The update can be obtained via the Samsung SmartThings app, where the relevant soundbar can be selected and the update can be implemented. Users now also see the text eARC on the small screen at the front of the soundbars if the update has been successfully implemented.

The soundbars came on the market around June last year and in several reviews, especially by tech journalist Stephen Withers, it was stated at the time that an update for eARC support would follow. However, that lasted quite some time. Withers acknowledged this and adapted his reviews accordingly. It was unclear for some time whether the update would come, which many owners complained about.

With the support of eARC it becomes possible to transmit lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X and Dolby Atmos. Therefore, the television or other device connected to the sound source must support it. This is the case with hdmi 2.1, but eARC support is also possible with hdmi 2.0.

For example, this update is useful for users who connect their Xbox One or a Blu-ray player directly to the TV. If a game or movie with Dolby Atmos is then started, the audio can be fully passed through the eARC connection.