Samsung BDP 3600- which is better, digital audio out optical vs. HDMI ?

[sawoolie]

I have a Harmon Kardon AVR 147 connected to a FIOS HD DVR and the Samsung bdp 3600 via optical cable. Is there a big difference in sound quality, if I just switch to using HDMI through my receiver( it has two inputs, one output)?

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by sawoolie

I have a Harmon Kardon AVR 147 connected to a FIOS HD DVR and the Samsung bdp 3600 via optical cable. Is there a big difference in sound quality, if I just switch to using HDMI through my receiver( it has two inputs, one output)?

I wouldn't say it's a huge difference, but audio via HDMI will sound at least as good as sound via optical. What the difference is depends entirely on the quality of your speakers. Optical limits you to 5.1 while HDMI can do up to 7.1. HDMI also allows for HD audio, but once again this doesn't mean much unless you have speakers that will detect a difference.