After multiple delays, Samsung has released the promised firmware update to enable HDMI eARC on select soundbars from 2019.

eARC soundbar update
Firmware update version 1010.5 enables HDMI eARC on select Samsung 2019 soundbars, specifically the Dolby Atmos-capable HW-Q90R, HW-Q80R and HW-Q70R soundbars.

To take advantage of HDMI eARC's support for lossloss audio (unlike standard ARC) your TV must also support eARC. The system allows you to connect a Blu-ray player with Dolby Atmos (in Dolby TrueHD) or another lossless audio format directly to the TV and then pass-through full-quality audio to the soundbar via eARC.

Also read: HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC explained

The update had been promised since last year but was been delayed multiple times.



To install the update you must open the SmartThings mobile app and select your soundbar from there. Owners report that the eARC is working as intended after the update.

Samsung has also promised to update its 2019 Q90R 4K TV with eARC. This update is still pending. Samsung 2020 TVs come with eARC baked-in.

- Source: Samsung community