Explanation Required Please: Coaxial vs. Optical vs. HDMI audio

[JJ]

My current sound system set up is linked to my BluRay player via a Coaxial Digital Cable - now Ive heard lots of explanations from the good people at Best Buy, but no concise explanation - what kind of sound am I getting from the Coaxial? 2.0? 5.1? Something Else?

Also, as far as the Optical S/PDIF or TOSLINK or w/e its called, is that a better alternative?

And last but not least, the only way to get HD sound is to hook up the player to a different receiver, like the Onkyo or Pioneer Elites, correct? But this would be a far more expensive investment than just a cable.

[JJ]

Its a Philips 5.1 HTS-3555, by the way.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Speci...cation.do#tabs

[lch]

optical only have enough bandwidth to do up to 5.1
only hdmi can do full 7.1.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by lch

optical only have enough bandwidth to do up to 5.1
only hdmi can do full 7.1.

Optical has plenty of "bandwidth": 125 Mbit/s


It however, cannot provide HDCP. And is why its not capable of sending high resolution,lossless audio. Not because of bandwidth, but because of lack of its protection cabilities.

[BStecke]

Optical and Coax will do basically the same thing, standard 5.1 DD/DTS tracks. In order to use uncompressed or lossless audio (TrueHD, PCM, DTS HD) you will need to use HDMI in order to get 5.1 lossless/uncompressed. Optical can do 2.0 PCM. The other alternative other than HDMI is to use 5.1 analog inputs, which I highly doubt that home theater in a box has.

[JJ]

Hmm, I know, but for the time being, home theater in a box will have to do until I look deeper into the Magnolia section in Best Buy in the future for the full 7.1.

I was just curious as to whether I was still achieving 5.1 - which will do for now. Thanks again.