cgkmdeut :
if i use the arc with a hdmi cable, do i still need to hook my dish box to the soundbar
This suggests the dish box is already hooked up to *something* the TV I guess?
Dish box to TV is fine, then the audio signal path is: Dish ---> (HDMI no ARC) TV (HDMI ARC) ---> SB.
So when u watch TV you want to:
Tell TV: Select (HDMI no ARC) Input. "This is my source."
Tell SB: Select (HDMI ARC). "This is where my audio is coming from."