Best audio: HMDI or Optical? - Blu-ray Forum

nycomet · 01-07-2008, 06:12 PM

My system: Sony BDP-S300, Sony STR-DG710 (6.1) receiver (two HDMI in / one out to TV), Sharp Aquos 52-inch 1080p LCD, 200-watt self-powered Sony Subwoofer.

Anyone know which hook-up will yield the best audio on this equipment: HDMI or optical?

Sorry of this question has been previously addressed. I could not find any posts in the forum search.

PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD · 01-07-2008, 06:18 PM

Not sure ...I assume HDMI but I am using OPTICAL cable for now. I assume they both all digital sound

Leopold BUTTERS · 01-07-2008, 06:21 PM

HDMI so you can get Dobly Tru HD too bad you have the 710 tho because it only does 2.0 PCM instead of 5.1 the 810 does 5.1

CptGreedle · 01-07-2008, 06:21 PM

HDMI

Optical can not handle all the same encodes HDMI can. Also HDMI goes up to 7.1, optical only goes up to 5.1. Also, for example, the PS3 can not play an SACD using optical, only HDMI.

Edh63 · 01-07-2008, 06:21 PM

I use optical also, but my Bose doesn't allow HDMI. The sound is great. I've got my Blue Ray set to Bitstream instead of PCM. Major difference in sound with that adjustment. This is how you work around the 2.0 issue with PCM. Bitstream will open up 5.1 for you on the Blue Ray.

Luis_A51 · 01-07-2008, 06:22 PM

HDMI for sure. You can listen to 5.1 PCM using HDMI. I have the 910 and it handles 7.1 PCM and decoded Dolby True HD. Thats not possible using optical

Sonny · 01-07-2008, 06:23 PM

HDMI for GOD sakes

& NOT 'Monster' either LOL!!!

Pilam69 · 01-07-2008, 06:32 PM

HDMI is the only way to get the BEST sound. I have optical and it's "ok."

seto · 01-07-2008, 06:38 PM

Hands down HDMI. Optical will only get you so much.

Petra_Kalbrain · 01-07-2008, 06:43 PM

HDMI... No contest IF your receiver can decode PCM properly.

Edh63 · 01-07-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

HDMI... No contest IF your receiver can decode PCM properly.

Exactly. If it can't, then optical will have to do.

kingtuna · 01-07-2008, 06:59 PM

Hey Luis,

In order to get Dolby True HD on the STR dg910, do you leave the PS3 on Linear or do you switch it to Bitstream? I have the same receiver (HDMI connected), and usually just leave it to PCM. Any suggestions?

King TUNA

Disco_And · 01-07-2008, 07:09 PM

HDMI all the way it's the only way to get DTSHD MA, Dolby TrueHD and 7.1 PCM

Luis_A51 · 01-07-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingtuna

Hey Luis,

In order to get Dolby True HD on the STR dg910, do you leave the PS3 on Linear or do you switch it to Bitstream? I have the same receiver (HDMI connected), and usually just leave it to PCM. Any suggestions?

King TUNA

Put the PS3 to Linear PCM, and make sure the movie is set to the right audio output (you can tell when the PS3 is outputting DOlby TrueHD by pressing the Display button on your blu ray remote, or I think its select on a standard remote) You can change which audio track the PS3 is playing by either pressing "Audio" on the bluray remote or from the main movie menu.

Also make sure in the audio settings section that your PS3 is set to output 5.1 and 7.1 PCM.

Mensrea69 · 01-07-2008, 07:23 PM

Here is the story. DVI (Digital Visual Interface) came out first. It only carried the high res. video from point A to B. A separate cable was needed for the digital audio (either coax or optical. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) solved this problem because it carries both the high res. video and digital audio through a singal cable. Basically, one cable instead of two. The only difference someone could possibly argue deals with interference. Optical is great because light is used to transfer the signal, and light is almost impervious to interference. However, most of the high-end cables today use some sort or shielding to reduce possible interference. I would doubt that you could hear the difference between the two. Hope that helped!subject.

crackinhedz · 01-08-2008, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mensrea69

The only difference someone could possibly argue deals with interference.

...or the fact Optical does not transmit Multichannel PCM.

HDMI = Multichannel PCM

Optical = (stereo) 2.0 channel PCM

Meaning you cannot get 5.1 or 7.1 Lossless audio from Optical.

JasonR · 01-08-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...or the fact Optical does not transmit Multichannel PCM.

HDMI = Multichannel PCM

Optical = (stereo) 2.0 channel PCM

Meaning you cannot get 5.1 or 7.1 Lossless audio from Optical.

Very true, know from experience.

crackinhedz · 01-08-2008, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

Very true, know from experiance.

does your receiver have multichannel analog audio inputs? (the S300 can still pass Uncompressed PCM!

)

JasonR · 01-08-2008, 02:48 AM

I wish, only digital inputs.

crackinhedz · 01-08-2008, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

I wish, only digital inputs.

...what model.

01-07-2008, 06:12 PM	#1
nycomet Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Long Island, NY, USA ; I enjoy watching 3D blu-rays; 41 Blufans steels so far Home Theater Gallery:11 Blu-ray collection:1344 DVD collection:55 Digital collection:246 Blu-ray reviews:40 Trading Score:343	Best audio: HMDI or Optical? My system: Sony BDP-S300, Sony STR-DG710 (6.1) receiver (two HDMI in / one out to TV), Sharp Aquos 52-inch 1080p LCD, 200-watt self-powered Sony Subwoofer. Anyone know which hook-up will yield the best audio on this equipment: HDMI or optical? Sorry of this question has been previously addressed. I could not find any posts in the forum search.

01-07-2008, 06:32 PM	#8
Pilam69 Senior Member Member since:Apr 2007 Blu-ray collection:126	Hdmi HDMI is the only way to get the BEST sound. I have optical and it's "ok."

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
receiver audio are HDMI audio, optical, and digital coaxial inputs the same?	Receivers	mustang-gt-2002	9	07-09-2014 03:51 PM
Optical Audio	Home Theater General Discussion	browndk26	4	02-19-2010 03:11 PM
Audio over Optical vs. HDMI	Audio Theory and Discussion	Shinrai	3	02-06-2010 08:22 PM
audio options from optical out	Newbie Discussion	golfer	1	03-11-2008 04:06 PM
optical audio?	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	professorfate	3	05-21-2007 08:12 AM

01-07-2008, 06:18 PM	#2
PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA, USA	Not sure ...I assume HDMI but I am using OPTICAL cable for now. I assume they both all digital sound

01-07-2008, 06:21 PM	#3
Leopold BUTTERS Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:AB,Canada Blu-ray collection:93 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	HDMI so you can get Dobly Tru HD too bad you have the 710 tho because it only does 2.0 PCM instead of 5.1 the 810 does 5.1

01-07-2008, 06:21 PM	#4
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	HDMI Optical can not handle all the same encodes HDMI can. Also HDMI goes up to 7.1, optical only goes up to 5.1. Also, for example, the PS3 can not play an SACD using optical, only HDMI.

01-07-2008, 06:21 PM	#5
Edh63 Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Wimberley, TX	I use optical also, but my Bose doesn't allow HDMI. The sound is great. I've got my Blue Ray set to Bitstream instead of PCM. Major difference in sound with that adjustment. This is how you work around the 2.0 issue with PCM. Bitstream will open up 5.1 for you on the Blue Ray.

01-07-2008, 06:22 PM	#6
Luis_A51 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Calgary, AB Blu-ray reviews:4	HDMI for sure. You can listen to 5.1 PCM using HDMI. I have the 910 and it handles 7.1 PCM and decoded Dolby True HD. Thats not possible using optical

01-07-2008, 06:23 PM	#7
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	HDMI for GOD sakes & NOT 'Monster' either LOL!!!

01-07-2008, 06:38 PM	#9
seto Senior Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray reviews:1	Hands down HDMI. Optical will only get you so much.

01-07-2008, 06:43 PM	#10
Petra_Kalbrain Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Vancouver, BC 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:561 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	HDMI... No contest IF your receiver can decode PCM properly.

01-07-2008, 06:59 PM	#12
kingtuna Member Member since:Dec 2007	Hey Luis, In order to get Dolby True HD on the STR dg910, do you leave the PS3 on Linear or do you switch it to Bitstream? I have the same receiver (HDMI connected), and usually just leave it to PCM. Any suggestions? King TUNA

01-07-2008, 07:09 PM	#13
Disco_And Active Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Bristol, England 4K collection:102 Blu-ray collection:684 Blu-ray reviews: 7	HDMI all the way it's the only way to get DTSHD MA, Dolby TrueHD and 7.1 PCM

01-07-2008, 07:23 PM	#15
Mensrea69 Member Member since:Oct 2007	Here is the story. DVI (Digital Visual Interface) came out first. It only carried the high res. video from point A to B. A separate cable was needed for the digital audio (either coax or optical. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) solved this problem because it carries both the high res. video and digital audio through a singal cable. Basically, one cable instead of two. The only difference someone could possibly argue deals with interference. Optical is great because light is used to transfer the signal, and light is almost impervious to interference. However, most of the high-end cables today use some sort or shielding to reduce possible interference. I would doubt that you could hear the difference between the two. Hope that helped!subject.

01-08-2008, 02:48 AM	#19
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	I wish, only digital inputs.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals