optical output &hdmi

[mrski1957]

i had my pace x-1 box replaced with a arris x-1 THANKS SUPER DAVE FOR THE INFO! the tech said that i should be using the optical output along with hdmi for better sound.he said that using light(optical)than wires(hdmi)for improved sound,just use the hdmi for video is this true?

 

[teachsac]

Huh? Optical will not get you better sound than HDMI. Just use HDMI for both audio and video.

S~

 

[mike123abc]

TOSLINK does not have the bandwidth to carry lossless audio like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD master Audio. HDMI has that capacity.

 

[teachsac]

CAble box won't support TrueHD and Master Audio anyways.

 

[fr8flyr]

As recommended stay with HDMI. Toslink has restricted bandwidth and isn't really good for much of anything.

 

[mrski1957]

just what i thought. thanks for the info

 

[jerryez]

Page 88 of the Hopper with Sling Users guide states the following:

Your new receiver uses an optical port for outputting digital audio. The optical output can
provide two audio data types: Dolby Digital and Linear PCM (only Dolby Digital can
provide full 5.1-channel sound).

So, what does this mean. Does the HDMI also output these and does it do it better than optical. This sounds like Dish is recommending optical.

 

[teachsac]

They will output one and the same. There will be no difference between HDMI audio and optical (when using Dish, Direct, Cable, etc.). HDMI is just a one cable solution for both audio and video. Now when you start talking about Blu-ray players, then there will be a difference in capabilities. So whether you are using optical or HDMI with Dish receivers DD will provide 5.1 audio (when available) and PCM will be 2 channel stereo. I use HDMI through my receiver when I want surround sound. I also have a component with optical connected directly to my TV when I don't need it.

S~

 

[jerryez]

Teachsac, So, I can disconnect my optical cable between my tv and my Onkyo av receiver and just use the hdmi cable for satisfactory audio.

 

[teachsac]

If you want a clean single run. That's how all my systems run except for the living room above.

 

[jerryez]

My runs are far from clean. The wiring behind my tv is scary. I have tried to clean it up and eliminate excess, but it is impossible. Between power wires, OTA wires, Dish wires (some left over from my VIP system), speaker wires, component wires, phono wires, a five camera security system with DVR, and HDMI cables from BluRay, DVD recorder, Onkyo AV receiver, Hopper (with two External HDs, and the tv, it is a mess. And one optical cable, which would not make a difference if eliminated. OH yeah, wifi cables from a seven way splitter.

 

[jayn_j]

My runs are far from clean. The wiring behind my tv is scary. I have tried to clean it up and eliminate excess, but it is impossible. Between power wires, OTA wires, Dish wires (some left over from my VIP system), speaker wires, component wires, phono wires, a five camera security system with DVR, and HDMI cables from BluRay, DVD recorder, Onkyo AV receiver, Hopper (with two External HDs, and the tv, it is a mess. And one optical cable, which would not make a difference if eliminated.

Many of us solve this problem by using some form of tie wrap to bundle similar cables. I personally like these velcro ones:
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=105&cp_id=10520&cs_id=1052003&p_id=6462&seq=1&format=2

They allow you to group similar functions. The color coding lets you instantly associate cables with function. For a clean organization, loop excess cable a foot or so away from the receiver. Better solution is to have cables of appropriate length. Monoprice and Amazon both carry most of these cables in 1 ft increments. Doing that makes management much easier. Oh yeah, get a label maker and label your cable runs as well. Really helps when you need to unplug stuff.

 

[jerryez]

Last month, I purchased the Onlyo TX-NR 636. So, I pulled all the cables from behind the tv and even moved the 65" Samsung tv. I started out to clean up the cables. I ended up with a pile of excess cables that were still behind the tv, but were not connected to anything. I rerun all the cables, and used the shortest that I had that fit. Rolled up excess and secured the rolls. But with all the cables listed above, I still have a mess, but a cleaner looking mess. I will look into your suggestion, but there are not that many similar cables going in the same direction. I do need a label maker. Wish me luck.

 

[jayn_j]

Luck

 

[talos4]

I would love to have single runs however, I have an "older" Yamaha RX-V657 A/V without HDMI inputs. I run all of my HDMI outputs to an HDMI switcher to a single input on the TV. I then run all optical/coax outputs to my receiver. That does mean I have to change the source twice when I change devices but it works for me.

 

[jayn_j]

I would love to have single runs however, I have an "older" Yamaha RX-V657 A/V without HDMI inputs. I run all of my HDMI outputs to an HDMI switcher to a single input on the TV. I then run all optical/coax outputs to my receiver. That does mean I have to change the source twice when I change devices but it works for me.

Yeah, I have a similar setup on a bedroom TV. A low end Harmony remote makes the job a lot simpler since it is one button press with the built in macros.

 

[jevans64]

TosLink DOES have the bandwidth to support high-resolution multi-channel audio. It is the LACK of copy-protection that relegates that connection to audio below HDMA and TrueHD. Rather than update the specifications for TosLink, the studios pressed for a new interface where they could control how their media is consumed. I still don't think TosLink could have made it as an A+V interconnect, but there is really no difference between it and HDMI for uncompressed/compressed 5.x audio streams.

It is perfectly fine, if you have an older AVR that doesn't support HDMI, to run HDMI to the TV and TosLink to the older receiver/processor but, because of the greedy studios, you are limited to compressed audio.

 

[dantheman77]

However you go, just remember, use MONSTER cables!!!!!

 

[jayn_j]

However you go, just remember, use MONSTER cables!!!!!

And the reason for that?? Did I miss a smiley?

I think it has been well established through multiple blind comparison tests that Monster delivers signals that are no higher in quality than other brands. What they do have is an incredibly high markup at the retailer level which gives large chains such as best Buy incentive to promote them.

I personally would recommend you shop for quality cables from monoprice.com or from Blue jean cables. Both provide a quality product at significantly lower cost.

Note, I am trying to stay away from the endless cable wars here. Look in the archives if you want to see those discussions.

 

[dantheman77]

Opps! your right I did forget a smile, now I frown. lol