Optical or RCA cable for TV to home theater system?
I'll throw out my setup first, I think it'll better help you guys understand. Ok, so on my TV stand I have my 46" Sony Bravia, DirecTV HD receiver, PS3, Apple TV, and a Sony 5.1 home theater system. Now my question is how to get the best audio from my TV to the sound system? Right now I'm using an RCA cable from the back of my TV going to my sound system. I want to know if switching that cable to an Optical cable will make a difference. Mind you that I have all the devices listed above connected to the 4 HDMI inputs on the back of my TV, but whether I'm listening to music, watching TV, or playing PS3, I always have my sound system on to get a better sound obviously. But my concern is that- I may not be getting the best audio from my TV to the sound system because of that RCA cable. Example- I have music playing from my Apple TV, to my TV, and it's carrying HD audio via the HDMI. But that audio is coming out from the TV speakers only. And when it comes to getting that audio to my sound system, the RCA cable is then responsible for carrying that signal from the TV to the sound system. And that's where I'm curious to know if the HD audio is lost once it's going through the RCA? Cause as far as I know the Apple TV produced the original HD audio via and HDMI cable. Same applies for PS3/Directv receiver, to TV via HDMI, and TV to sound system via RCA. So is the outcome once it hits my sound system HD audio or not? So after all of that, should I switch to optical for a better sound? Hope somebody knows what I'm asking, I probably made the question harder than it is with all my examples and repetitive terms. Sorry lol, but I do appreciate anybody's help in advance! Thanks! Cheers
Should my optical cable be red on both ends?
The red light you see is the LED laser light that is used to transmit the digital audio. Thus you will only see it from the transmission side.
How does sound quality compare when using optical versus HDMI cables?
First, an answer, and then a few comments related to other answers.In practical terms, there won’t be a terribly meaningful difference, as even though HDMI can handle higher sample rates and bit depths, I will challenge any normal human (i.e. not a Stereophile reviewer) to tell the difference between two otherwise equivalent PCM streams of the same source material in a double blind comparison.)The major distinction that HDMI has is that due to that higher maximum bandwidth, and the ability to send some additional metadata about the audio stream, it can provide support for some audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, which provide higher audio quality than the more-compressed codecs that can be used in Optical, as well as higher channel count, e.g. 7.1 and now Dolby Atmos soundtracks. These more recent encodings cannot be sent through the optical audio output. Such formats need to be decoded internally by the player and possibly merged into a lower-channel count format before sending over the optical output.The main reason for there being a maximum length of an HDMI cable has absolutely nothing to do with the introduction of RF interference, as one writer implied. Rather, the signals being sent are of extremely high speed, which itself imposes length restrictions, for the following reasons:The signals must be of a low voltage (a few hundred millivolts, typically) so that the extremely fast rise and fall times required of the signal can be met. This means that even the relatively low resistance and parasitic capacitance of a high quality electrical cable will start to degrade the received signal after a certain distance.Signal skew between the pairs of adjacent cables due to slightly different lengths of cable causes the signal to appear at slightly different times at the far end, which decreases the margins available in detecting the proper data relative to the recovered clock signal. Controlling the possible skew in a lengthy cable due to tight tolerances becomes more difficult with increasing distance, but the first point is really the one that has more of an effect in practice. However, the video signal typically degrades much sooner than the audio, as it consumes the bulk of the available bandwidth in HDMI and contains no error detection capability (whereas the audio portion does.)
Samsung HT-Z310 Optical input?
First: The digital audio optical output of your HDTV can only deliver a 5.1 surround sound signal from the antenna input; any digital source (HDMI) or analog video source (Component or Composite video) is only going to transfer a 2 channel stereo signal to your Home Theater System. It is better to run the digital audio fiber optic cable direct from a HD cable set top box to the Home Theater input for true 5.1 surround sound capability, if you have a HD cable set top box. Second: you need to use the function button on the Samsung Home Theater receiver to select "D-In" (Digital - Input). By selecting the Digital Input as your source, the Home Theater knows to process the audio on the digital audio fiber optic input port to the attached speakers. Additional Details: Now you have just discovered why Home Theaters in a Box are not the best Home Theater Solution (they have very limited inputs for multiple external sources). It is far better to have purchased an A/V receiver like the Denon AVR-789 or a Home Theater System based on an A/V receiver like the Onkyo HT-S6100 system that actually has inputs for all your Home Electronic devices. Your best opportunity now (if you keep the Samsung Home Theater) is a TOSlink Selector Switch. With this device you connect your multiple sources with fiber optic cables to the TOSlink Selector Switch input ports and a signle fiber optic cable out to your Home Theater. Now rotate the Selector Switch to select the digital source that will be heard on your Home Theater. Here is an example of a TOSlink Selector Switch: http://www.monoprice.com/products/produc...
I have a rca professional series stav-4180 receiver but the optical cable gives me no sound. how to get sound?
Hello, I have a rca professional series stav-4180 receiver that I use to get sound from for my dvd system and tv but I put in the optical cable to get better sound but I don't know how to set it on the rca receiver please help me for I tried everything. What buttons on the receiver do I have to press to make the optical cable sound work. I tried and put the optical cable to my reciever and connected it to my dvd system but as I turned to setting on my reciever to TV/sat I still get no sound but if I use the red and white audio cable that works fine. So please instruct me on how to get sound thank you. I did all the correct settings in the dvd/ tv set for the optical the only problem how to do the settings for the rca receiever system please anyone help.
Does an HDMI cable transmit sound or just picture?
Not like other video connections, HDMI includes audio, eliminating the need for separate audio cables. HDMI delivers the best high definition picture and highest quality sound and doing away with excess cables.If you are planning to buy a high definition television and also subscribe to HD programming, HDMI is a very good choice fro connecting your components together and guaranteeing the highest quality video and sound.I would recommend Cable Matters Gold Plated DisplayPortTransmits high-definition audio and video from your computer to an HDTV for video streaming or gaming; Connect and configure your monitor for an Extended Desktop or Mirrored DisplaysConvenient cable directly connects a DisplayPort (DP, DP++, DisplayPort++) equipped computer to an HDTV, monitor, or projector with HDMI inputSupports video resolutions up to 1920x1200 / 1080P (Full HD) and flawless audio pass-thru for uncompressed digital 7.1, 5.1 or 2 channelsGold-plated connectors, bare copper conductors, and foil & braid shielding combine together to provide both superior cable performance and reliable connectivityDisplayPort connector with latches provides a secure connection with a release button that must be depressed before unpluggingHere you can find more info: 5 Best HDMI Cables
What is the difference between the "audio out" jack and the [optical] "digital audio out" port on my TV?
Here is the difference.The audio out is an analog signal meaning you could directly plug headphones or speakers to that port and get sound, because it is outputting an analog signal. But that sound will probably be at a low level typically -10dbu and will require amplification, so it wouldn't be loud enough for headphones you would need speakers with amplification.The optical out is a digital signal meaning if you would listen to that signal on its own it would sound like random digital noise beeps clicks and what not. So you have to plug the optical cable into a device that converts digtal data into analog sound. Most home theatre sound systems can handle this.Quality speaking you would want to use optical because you can buy a device that can convert the digital data into a higher quality analog sound.Where as the audio out will be converting the digital data into analog sound via the internal digital to analog converter(DAC), built into your tv. And even if you have a 5,000 dollar expensive 4k tv it will still have the same crappy DAC that some old low level 2005 plasma tv. TV companies spend the bare minimum on DACs.