SPDIF (Optical) Vs HDMI - Which one transfers better DTS/Dolby Sound ?

Question

Hi there !

I have a Sony Home theater receiver which has both the SPDIF (optical)- IN as well as HDMI - IN. I wanted to connect my Cable Set Box which Has both SPDIF (optical) - Out & HDMI - Out. Right now i have connected through HDMI Cable,which provides video & audio, should i continue with that or should i opt for HDMI only for video & connect SPDIF(optical) for Audio. Which option Provides a Better Surround sound ??? Pls advice...

Answer 1

Here is what i did and it was for different reasons. I use to connect my settop box (Communist cast) through hdmi, it was their new dcx series, into my receiver. but the problem was when i would shut everything off the box would not remember the settings when i would turn it back on due to the Hand-shaking issue with HDMI. So I switched to using componet video cables and SPDIF (optical cables) for audio since most cable shows due to resolution and audio output don't need HDMI. So I would say if you don't have problems HDMI is fine. if you do use component and optical cables. The only thing you won't get from optical is 7.1 surrond sound or the DTS-HD or any of the HD codecs optical can carry DTS/Dolby fine and 5.1 surround.

Answer 2

Spdif Vs Hdmi

Answer 3

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RE:

SPDIF (Optical) Vs HDMI - Which one transfers better DTS/Dolby Sound ?

Hi there !



I have a Sony Home theater receiver which has both the SPDIF (optical)- IN as well as HDMI - IN. I wanted to connect my Cable Set Box which Has both SPDIF (optical) - Out & HDMI - Out. Right now i have connected through HDMI Cable,which provides video & audio, should i continue with...

Answer 4

Leave it as is. Technically either would work for DD and DTS but with HDMI it is one less cable.



Also if they ever add newer and more advanced audio tracks (like HD Audio tracks) you will need HDMI anyway. We are years away from that for cable boxes and you would likely need to upgrade hardware but the bottom line is HDMI is the way of the future and optical is old technology...

Answer 5

If its working well now I would leave it as is more than likely the difference would be subtle,and may be no different at all it also could cause latency problems and be worse...usually HDMI will have the edge but sometimes depending on the manufacture and the age of the equipment optical might sound better to you...

Answer 6

HDMI has one thing different than others, i.e. it gives 'lossless' signals. So u get the whole signal without any loss in it.



SPDIF is very good but as u know it can carry only one signal (audio) & cannot carry lossless signals.



So HDMI is more better.

Answer 7

I think HDMI provides better sound.BTW,Can you say the model of Sony HT you are using?

Answer 8

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There is no real performance benefit to change it. I would only consider the change if there is a con- venience improvement over your current set-up.