What is going on with eARC update for the soundbar HW-Q90R?

[zhspence]

Hi everyone,

I need some clarification, as to be honest the Samsung support staff are hopeless with knowing anything about their own products. 

I was on chat with support enquiring about the eARC firmware update for this soundbar, he replies to me saying it doesn't have eARC?! 

the whole reason I purchased it was because of this update, I have the LG C9 which is eARC!

if they don't provide this firmware update to allow it, then this soundbar is going back for a refund. 

[zhspence]

How do you know about LG not allowing dolbytrueHD on their apps?

[Blib]

Extensive googling. I think I found this in the Plex forums, I will see if I can find the thread again

[Blib]

https://lgcommunity.us.com/discussion/4633/c9-earc-not-passing-truehd-atmos-through-to-receiver

Here is the original source, people trying to use c9 Plex app to pass sound to a eARC reciever

[mike1986krk]

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock... [cough] 15th... [cough]

[mike1986krk]

By the way... to be able to use eARC on Samsung Q80 Soundbar do we need HDMI 2.1 cable or good quality 2.0b cable will be fine?

[zhspence]

I think you might be able to use a quality 2.0b but I have put a 2.1 cable in just to be safe as they allow more bandwidth so you’ll never be second guessing.

[mike1986krk]

Which cable you use? Belkin by any chance?

[zhspence]

I use a belkin one for Apple TV 4K but for the soundbar I paid £17 for a 2.1 cable from amazon the brand is True HQ and is legitimate HDMI 2.1 spec. I don’t fancy spending £50 on belkin just for the sound pass-through when the one I have now will do exactly what the belkin one will do.

[Soumil]

Hi Zach, please correct me if I am wrong, but your understanding is that Samsung will provide the eARC update for Q90R in November. Thanks.

[zhspence]

Hi soumil, yep as I understand the eARC support comes in the form of a firmware update and this month to all 2019 Q Series tv’s and soundbars.