Guides · 5 May 2026

HDMI passthrough, 4K/120 and HDR10+/Dolby Vision

Some soundbars have HDMI inputs as well as an HDMI connection to the TV. A console or streaming box plugs into the soundbar, and the soundbar passes the picture on to the TV. When it does, the soundbar sits in the video path, so its video specs matter as much as its audio specs. This guide explains how passthrough works and how to read the Passthrough column in the comparison table.

How HDMI passthrough works

Dolby describes HDMI passthrough as the option for a TV that does not support ARC or eARC. The soundbar needs at least one HDMI input and a dedicated HDMI output. First, connect the HDMI output of the streaming device, Blu-ray player or console to an HDMI input on the soundbar. Then connect the HDMI output of the soundbar to an HDMI input on the TV.

Many soundbars have several HDMI inputs, and the soundbar remote switches between the connected devices. Dolby adds a caution: when you use passthrough, double-check that your soundbar supports HDMI 2.1, and use devices with confirmed compatibility.

In the table, HDMI passthrough says whether a soundbar has it at all, and HDMI inputs counts the inputs. See all soundbars with HDMI passthrough, or soundbars with at least two HDMI inputs.

Resolution and refresh rate: 4K60, 4K120, 8K60

The first chip in the Passthrough column is the highest video format the manufacturer states the soundbar can pass through. It combines a resolution with a refresh rate in frames per second: 4K60 is 4K at 60 frames per second, 4K120 is 4K at 120, and 8K60 is 8K at 60. A plain 4K* means the manufacturer states 4K but no refresh rate.

Higher resolutions and refresh rates need more HDMI bandwidth. HDMI.org states that the Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable was introduced with the HDMI 2.1 Specification and supports configurations up to 48 Gbps. The newer HDMI 2.2 Specification goes up to 96 Gbps and supports resolutions including 4K240 and 8K60.

Examples from the table:

The LG S95QR lists 4K120 passthrough.
The Sony HT-A7000 lists 8K60.
The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max lists 4K60.

The table can sort by the Passthrough column, highest video format first.

HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision

HDR (high dynamic range) is the second group of chips. With passthrough the HDR picture reaches the TV through the soundbar, so the column lists each HDR format the manufacturer states the soundbar passes.

HDR10: Samsung calls it the original and most common variation of HDR. It uses static metadata.
HDR10+: according to Samsung, which pioneered it, HDR10+ uses dynamic metadata instead of the static metadata of HDR10.
Dolby Vision (chip DV): Dolby says Dolby Vision dynamically optimizes the image quality based on your service, device and platform.
HLG: listed when the manufacturer states it.

HDMI.org explains what dynamic HDR adds: it ensures every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast and wider color gamuts, on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis.

Soundbars differ in which formats they pass. The LG S95QR lists HDR10 and Dolby Vision, the Samsung Q990B lists HDR10+, and the Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless 11.2.6 lists both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. A No HDR chip means the manufacturer states that no HDR format passes through.

Match the list to your TV and your sources. See soundbars that pass Dolby Vision, soundbars that pass HDR10+, soundbars that pass both, or any HDR format.

Gaming features: VRR and ALLM

The third group of chips is for gaming. HDMI.org lists both among the enhanced gaming features of the HDMI specification:

VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): according to HDMI.org, VRR lets a console or computer deliver video frames as fast as it can, and it reduces or eliminates lag, judder and frame tearing.
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode): a console, PC or other device sends a signal so the display switches to a low-latency mode automatically, and back when it is no longer needed. It replaces switching game mode on and off in the menus.

HDMI.org notes that the Xbox Series X and Sony PS5 were the first consoles to support these HDMI gaming features. The column lists which of them each soundbar passes through. See soundbars that pass both VRR and ALLM.

HDCP

The last chip, when stated, is the HDCP version the soundbar supports, for example HDCP 2.3. It comes from the manufacturer's spec sheet like the other chips.

Summary

Passthrough puts the soundbar between your sources and the TV, so it needs HDMI inputs and an HDMI output.
Check the highest video format (4K60, 4K120, 8K60) against your TV and sources. 4K* means the refresh rate is not stated.
Check the HDR list: HDR10+ and Dolby Vision are separate formats, and a soundbar may pass one, both or neither.
For a console, check VRR and ALLM.

To connect the soundbar to the TV over ARC or eARC instead, see HDMI ARC vs eARC: what passes through.