HDMI vs. Optical?

[plasticmanpat]

Which cable sounds better for audio sound quality?

[un4gvn94538]

multi channel hd audio hdmi only. hands down

[My_Two_Cents]

Optical: Lossy DD and DTS, not HD audio capable

HDMI: HD audio codecs (Dolby True HD, DTS Master, multichannel PCM)

Winner: HDMI

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Optical: Lossy DD and DTS, not HD audio capable

HDMI: HD audio codecs (Dolby True HD, DTS Master, multichannel PCM)

Winner: HDMI

+1

HDMI FTW

[crackinhedz]

...to be fair, yes you can still listen to HD audio with Optical. Two channel of course, so the advantage goes to HDMI.

HDMI = 7.1 discrete channels = Winner

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...to be fair, yes you can still listen to HD audio with Optical. Two channel of course, so the advantage goes to HDMI.

HDMI = 7.1 discrete channels = Winner

Exactly. I have to use optical running from my PS3 to my receiver, and the HD audio is then remixed (I'm assuming) by my receiver from the two channels provided by the optical connection. It still sounds incredibly better than Dolby Digital 5.1. I can't imagine it sounding much better, but I'm sure it would with HDMI.... I just don't have an HDMI audio input on my receiver.

[papaholmz]

HDMI hands down. And not because it "sounds" better, but because it's technically capable of handling HD Audio where Optical can't.

-papaholmz

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by papaholmz

HDMI hands down. And not because it "sounds" better, but because it's technically capable of handling HD Audio where Optical can't.

-papaholmz

Well thanks for clearing that up. The bottom line as to which is better has been established: HDMI, no contest. I was merely telling my 'oops' story. Also, optical CAN handle HD audio, but only two channels, not multiple.

[bassbone57]

Originally Posted by papaholmz

HDMI hands down. And not because it "sounds" better, but because it's technically capable of handling HD Audio where Optical can't.

-papaholmz

Optical can handle HD audio, but because of copy protection it is not allowed to.

-K

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by bassbone57

Optical can handle HD audio, but because of copy protection it is not allowed to.

-K

You're serious?

[Nick4Blu_81]

I recently upgraded to an Onkyo TX-SR606. I am a huge fan of HDMI, but the thing that I dont like is that I have to have my stereo on in order to get video on my T.V. I typically use my stereo when I watch movies but dont always need that kind of sound when watching normal T.V. I resorted to using the optical out on my T.V. and running it to the optical in on the reciever. But after reading the earlier post and finding out I dont get HD sound this why, I may need to revert back. Any ideas?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Nick4u_81

Any ideas?

connect your cable box directly to the TV.

Use an optical cable from the cable box to the Receiver and connect analog Red/White audio cable from the cable box to the TV. (if they can output simultaneously?)

When you want to hear the audio through the receiver, turn it on. When you only want to listen from the TV speakers, you should be set with the analog.




...or just connect the HDMI cable from the cable box directly to the TV, and then an optical cable from TV to the receiver. You will never get lossless audio from any tv shows, so it wont matter.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Nick4u_81

I recently upgraded to an Onkyo TX-SR606. I am a huge fan of HDMI, but the thing that I dont like is that I have to have my stereo on in order to get video on my T.V. I typically use my stereo when I watch movies but dont always need that kind of sound when watching normal T.V. I resorted to using the optical out on my T.V. and running it to the optical in on the reciever. But after reading the earlier post and finding out I dont get HD sound this why, I may need to revert back. Any ideas?

Not sure I follow you. I understand what you are saying about running your cable/sat through your 606 to your TV and having to keep your 606 on in order to pass the signal, but you lost me after that. Since I rarely ever used my 705 to listen to cable broadcasts, I simply connected my cable box directly to my TV via HDMI. Problem solved for me, and made things easier for the family.

Your comment about connecting optical from the TV to the 606 is what confused me. Why do that? Regardless, you needn't worry about missing HD audio using optical, since you won't get HD audio out of cable/sat, anyway, so it doesn't matter.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

connect your cable box directly to the TV.

Use an optical cable from the cable box to the Receiver and the analog Red/White cable from the cable box to the TV.

When you want to hear the audio through the receiver, turn it on. When you only want to listen from the TV speakers, you should be set with the analog.

I haven't checked, yet, but can most cable boxes output audio through HDMI and optical at the same time? I know the PS3 can't, but haven't checked my HD cable box, yet. If it does, I guess I'll run a line to my 705 for that rare time I want to listen to cable audio through it.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I haven't checked, yet, but can most cable boxes output audio through HDMI and optical at the same time?

that I do not know.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

that I do not know.

[crackinhedz]

shhhhhh

lets not let that get out.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

that I do not know.

I know mine can.

[Big Daddy]

Besides, HD audio, you can get SACD and DVD-A through HDMI. You cannot through optical or digital coax because of copy protection. I am surprised that nobody has mentioned it so far.

You can also get SACD, DVD-A, and lossy DD/DTS through i-link (IEEE 1394). Does anyone know if it is possible to get HD Audio through i-link? Is such a receiver/preamp available for home audio?

[Nick4Blu_81]

Thanks guys, I will run my cable box directly to my T.V. via HDMI. Run optical out of my T.V. to my receiver. I will hook up my Ps3 to my reciever, then my receiver to my T.V. via HDMI also. Sound good?