Do TVs Have HDMI Out? What Those Ports Really Do
Almost every question about a TV HDMI output starts with a soundbar that will not play or a projector that shows nothing. The short answer is that televisions are built to receive video, not send it, so the ports on the back are inputs. The single exception is the audio return channel, labelled ARC or eARC, which sends sound out of the TV to a soundbar or receiver while the picture comes in on the same cable. Knowing which port does what saves an hour of cable swapping and one unnecessary adapter purchase.
Quick Answer
Most TVs have HDMI inputs only. A port labelled ARC or eARC can send audio out to a soundbar, and a few TV-monitor hybrids have a true HDMI output. To send video from a TV to another display you need a splitter, a receiver with dual outputs, or a capture device.
| Port type | Found on | Sends | Typical destination |
|---|
| HDMI input | All modern TVs | Video+audio in | Console, player, PC |
| HDMI ARC | Many 2016+ TVs | Audio out (compressed) | Soundbar |
| HDMI eARC | 4K TVs 2019+ | Audio out (Dolby Atmos) | Soundbar |
| HDMI out (rare) | Old PC-monitor TVs | Video+audio out | Projector/monitor |
Inputs, ARC, and the Rare True Output
Every HDMI port on a modern TV accepts a signal from a source: a console, a streaming stick, a cable box, or a PC. The port labelled ARC, usually HDMI 1 or HDMI 2, can also work in reverse for audio. A true HDMI output, one that sends video out to a projector or a second screen, appears only on a handful of TV and monitor hybrids and on some hospitality displays. If the label says input, the port will not send a picture no matter which cable you use.
What ARC actually sends
ARC carries compressed surround audio, usually Dolby Digital, from the TV tuner or a streaming app to a soundbar over the same cable that feeds the picture. It supports up to five channels of compressed audio and works with a standard High Speed HDMI cable. Turn it on in the TV audio menu and select the ARC input on the soundbar.
eARC and the bandwidth difference
Enhanced ARC adds bandwidth for uncompressed formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and it passes Dolby Atmos. It needs an HDMI 2.1 port and, on most sets, an Ultra High Speed cable. Match the setting on both ends, because a soundbar left on ARC will not accept an eARC stream.
Why TVs Rarely Have a Real HDMI Out
A television is the end of the video chain, so there is little reason to build a video transmitter into it. Adding an output would require a second HDMI transmitter, HDCP handling for the outgoing stream, and a scaler for the second display. That costs money and opens a copying path that content owners dislike. The result is that consumer sets ship with inputs plus an audio return channel, while video distribution is left to receivers, matrix switches, and splitters.
Where true outputs still appear
Commercial and hospitality displays sometimes include an HDMI output so a hotel room can feed a bathroom screen. A few all-in-one PC monitors with a tuner also pass video through. Check the printed label on the chassis and the spec sheet, not the marketing photos.
How to Send TV Video to Another Screen
If you need the picture from a TV on a projector or a second screen, the practical options are limited and each has trade-offs. An HDMI splitter placed before the TV sends the same source to both displays, which is the cleanest method because the TV never has to output anything. An AV receiver with two HDMI outputs does the same job with switching built in. A capture card on a PC can record the signal, at the cost of added latency.
Splitters, receivers, and capture cards
Put the splitter at the source, not at the TV. A powered 1×2 splitter with HDCP support feeds the TV and the projector at the same resolution, provided both displays accept the same signal. Cheap passive splitters tend to drop the signal or strip HDCP and leave a black screen.
Real-World Applications
- A soundbar stays silent after installation because its cable sits in HDMI 3, which carries no ARC label. Moving it to the ARC port fixes the audio with no new hardware.
- A hotel TV has a port marked HDMI out and feeds a ceiling projector in a meeting room, a setup almost never found in a living room.
- A gamer wants to stream console footage. A capture card between the console and the TV records the picture without needing an output on the set.
- A bar wants the same match on two screens. A powered splitter before both TVs costs less than a second source device and keeps them in sync.
Related Guides
For the full product range, browse our productlist. For a deeper dive, read 20 foot hdmi cable, and for the next step, see types of tv cords.
FAQ
Can I use the HDMI ARC port as a video output?
No. ARC sends audio only, and only to a device that supports the return channel. The port will not send a picture to a projector or a second TV, even with a different cable.
How do I know if my TV has HDMI out?
Read the label next to each port. Inputs say HDMI IN or just HDMI. An audio output says ARC or eARC. A true video output is rare and usually marked HDMI OUT on commercial displays.
Do all TVs support eARC?
No. eARC arrived with HDMI 2.1 and appears mainly on 4K sets from 2019 onward. Check the spec sheet or the port label before buying an eARC soundbar for an older TV.
What cable do I need for ARC or eARC?
A standard High Speed HDMI cable handles ARC. For eARC with uncompressed audio, use a certified Ultra High Speed cable, especially on runs longer than six feet.
Need a custom length, gauge or connector build? Contact our cable team with your spec and quantity.
