Audio difference between toshlink and HDMI

For games there is probably no perceivable difference IMO.

5.1 channels max via TOSlink (2+ PCM, DD, DTS5.1)

7.1+ channels via HDMI (7+ PCM, DTS-MA, Dolby TrueHD, and everything else below)

So it all depends on your receiver & speaker setup.

It all depend on if the games support 5.1/7.1 lossless audio. Then yes, it does make a difference.

straight to the TV it probably won't make any difference, though. No TV I'm aware of supports advanced audio.

PS3-receiver is a nice upgrade, provided you don't have HTIB speakers from Wal-Mart.

I have read recommendations to not daisy chain the HDMI through the receiver then the TV as it may decrease video quality. I have the PS3 connected to the TV via HDMI and have my TV out via TOSlink to the reciever.

I have a 5.1 system so I assume this is the best setup, for picture quality and possibly equal sound quality since I don't have 7.1.

Daniel

Im not sure how many games have lossless audio but If you watch Blu-ray you should definitely go hdmi to the receiver.

Possibly. Unlikely. Also possible to improve video quality if the AVR has a cutting edge video processor. IMHO, the convenience and potential use of HD audio codecs outweighs such considerations.

Video degradation very unlikely. But on the audio side. Your current set up is more than likely giving more audio degradation, by running HDMI to the TV FIRST and getting TOSlink out. As opposed to running TOSlink directly from the PS3 to the AVR. Most TV's Toslink out is 2 ch PCM. At least the PS3 can do Bitstream via Toslink. So the 5.1 you are getting is Dolby PLII matrix (taking 2CHs and making it into 5) With Bitstream from the PS3. you get true DD with discrete surround channels (true surround sound)

QFT. Several first-party titles feature lossless audio and they're fantastic.

Thank for the heads up. My TV currently is setup to deliver Dolby Digital via Toslink(the other option is PCM, which you referred to).

I am assuming that this means there will not be degradation in sound quality?

I do have the option of running the toslink directly to the reciever, however this means I have to deal with one more remote or get up to change the input. I like having everything on one input so I don't have to mess with it.

Daniel

It all depends on manufacturer price level of the AVR. Low/mid level H/K's all seem to attempt to video process 720p signals possibly causing changes. Yamaha's for what ever reason for many years running on they lower/mid models all clip BTB. What you need is an AVR that does straight video passthrough, or allows video upscaling to be turned off. You also need to be sure that the AVR's video card does nothing with the color spectrum either, like the Yammy's. Just becareful and do some reading on the AVRs.

TOSlink cannot handle the new HD audio codecs, regardless of how it is connected. You need HDMI for them (or analog).

Thank you for the clarification.

I have the SONY STR-DG510, basically a HT in a box from my understanding. It is a hand me down from when my dad upgraded. I don't know much about it and have no idea what the different output settings do.

I will try out the HDMI setup once I setup my two rear speakers. I have been busy and need to go buy some cable to run.

Update: I did some research and it seems as if my unit doesn't allow audio via HDMI. So that completely negates that option. I tried it and wasn't able to get it to work, it would only say optical in.

So is running audio via hdmi to my tv and then optical out (Dolby Digital) via toslink to the receiver a good setup? Will I receive true 5.1 surround sound and not the 2 channel changed to 5? My other option is to run toslink directly from the PS3 to the receiver but I would rather not since I will have to use an extra remote in dong so.

you should run toslink from the PS3 to your receiver.

Otherwise you will never get DTS audio.

As for the remote...one word...Harmony.

Yeah, it really depends on the quality of the AVR. My crappy Samsung HTIB strips out blacker-than-black if I pass the HDMI through, but not if I go straight to the TV. So my set-up is HDMI to the TV, optical to the HTIB.

i use component cables from my ps3 to my receiver, then component cables to my 1080i tv.

then i use the toslink from the ps3 to the receiver. my receiver is a few years old and doesn't have HDMI inputs or outputs.

You can probably run the component cables straight to the tv. Unless it's a 1080i only tv and your receiver upscales.

my tv only does 1080i. i like having everything go through the receiver.

Thanks, I will heed your advice. I also found a cheap solution so I won't have to change inputs. A toslink splitter, this way I can have my TV and PS3 feed one input on the receiver.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...t=1#largeimage

The splitter allows one source to go to two devices, not two sources to one. You need a switch to do what you want.

If you read the reviews you will find that most people are using it as I intend to use it with no problems. The tosink cables must all be oriented the same way with flats on one side.

Silly me, I went by Monoprice's description:


You're right, though. The reviews all seem to indicate that it'll work for what you want.