The right HDMI port for XBOX question

ECW_guy · Mar 11, 2025

Hello, I believe I'm gonna get Xbox Series X soon, however I still have 1080P TV (yes I know its old but for now its all I have) So on my 1080P TV I only have two HDMI ports one is labeled HDMI arc and the other is HDMI MHL, So if I do get that new Xbox Series X do you recommend that I connect it to the HDMI port labeled Arc or MHL or it doesn't matter. I know the TV is old but I just want to get the maximum performance out of it, hence I'm asking this question. I will use the HDMI cable that comes with new Xbox. So if you guys can shine some light on which HDMI port is better to use that would be great

Thanks

:)

Emmanuel Santana

Greetings, and welcome to the Xbox Community! Connect with players from around the world, get help when you need it, and share your gaming journey.

Between the two HDMI ports, I’d go with the HDMI ARC port for your Xbox. It’s technically meant for audio stuff, like sending sound to a soundbar, but it works just as well as a regular HDMI input and gives you full bandwidth and better compatibility.

The HDMI MHL port, though, is more for hooking up phones or tablets, and it can sometimes have issues like lower bandwidth or a bit more input lag.

So, definitely stick with the HDMI ARC port and keep using the HDMI 2.1 cable that came with your Xbox, it’ll give you the best quality now and keep you covered if you ever upgrade your TV.

CacsTech

Hello C0nd1t10nR3D,

How the Xbox One works with being able to control the TV is that the Xbox One has a HDMI In port and a HDMI Out port. If a person had a cable set-top box, they would take the HDMI cable from that and plug it into the HDMI In port on the Xbox One, and then
connect an HDMI cable to the HDMI Out port and connect that to the TV.

In your case, I think it could only work if your TV had both a HDMI Out port and a HDMI In port. If this is the case, which I don't ever think I've heard of a thing for just a TV (I guess it could be possible), then you would go from the TV's HDMI Out port
to the Xbox One's HDMI In port and from the Xbox One's HDMI Out port to the TV's HDMI In port.

I hope I have answered your question!

-cacman14

napalm 31337

My son was moving his xbox one last night and somehow broke his HDMI port. I am thinking he tripped on the cord that was still plugged in to the console. After reading online, this seems to be a lengthy, involved repair. I guess my question at
this time is, is there a way to reroute it? Is there an adapter he could use?

There is no adapter, you must use the HDMI output port, but the Xbox One have also an HDMI it, check if you use the right port at the moment.

mbertoncini

And yes, I’m using the right HDMI port on the Xbox.

ADRNN_38

Im using the hdmi out port right now, but I'll try the hdmi in port

The right HDMI port for XBOX question