What does Audio passthrough mean?
Audio passthrough sends supported encoded sound onward for another device to decode rather than decoding it in the player first. The receiving equipment and transport route must understand the format being sent.
Why it matters
Enabling it is not a general sound-quality upgrade. A television, receiver and soundbar can accept different formats, and a route through ARC or eARC can behave differently from a direct connection. App-level and system-level controls may also differ. Compare the same known track with a supported decoded output and document whether sound, channel layout or lip sync changes.
A practical example
A capable receiver may decode a bitstream that an older television cannot pass correctly. If passthrough produces silence, restore the compatible setting and consult the equipment documentation rather than raising the volume or assuming that every programme in the subscription has lost its soundtrack.
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Related terminology: Audio dynamic range, Audio sample rate.
For practical setup and troubleshooting, browse the journal or support guides.