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HDMI audio vs. Optical?

5437 Views 24 Replies 15 Participants Last post by ClevelandRob, Jan 29, 2008

JD-AVS

Discussion Starter · Jan 23, 2008

Is there any discernable difference in SQ to the human ear between the two?

My situation is that I would like to use a PS3 for BluRay duty and would like to use a Yamaha RX-V461 receiver, which doesn't have an HDMI switch on it. Can I run the PS3 via HDMI to my TV and run an Optical audio cable out from the TV to my receiver? This would save me quite a bit of money if it's possible.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

JOHNnDENVER

· #2 · Jan 23, 2008

yep, that's how I run my PS3.... HDMI to display and optical to AVR.

Most people are way best off using optical. I'd say the difference is audible though for sure from lossy to lossless in general.

JD-AVS

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 23, 2008

Thanks for the info. JOHNnDENVER!

On the audible difference, does your setup sound very good to you? Have you had the chance to compare the 2 to hear how much of a difference is there? I'll be listening to music about 50% of the time and am a pseudo audiophile on a budget.

MichaelJHuman

· #4 · Jan 23, 2008

I don't know that all TVs can output the same PCM stream that's been input via HDMI. Can't you run both cables from the PS3, or can't it send data down both at the same time (a serious limitation) ?

JD-AVS

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 23, 2008

From what I've read the PS3 is unable to send audio from HDMI and optical simultaneously, which I agree is a serious limitation.

JOHNnDENVER

· #6 · Jan 23, 2008

Well I never tried at the same time. It will run video HDMI and audio optical of course though.

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MichaelJHuman

· #7 · Jan 23, 2008

Bummer. Hopefully your TV sends back the correct data. I have heard some people mention that the optical out from TVs may be two channel PCM only. Maybe that's the minority, or maybe those comments were about optical in, not HDMI.

TowJumper

· #8 · Jan 23, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by JD-AVS /forum/post/12909451

Thanks for the info. JOHNnDENVER!

On the audible difference, does your setup sound very good to you? Have you had the chance to compare the 2 to hear how much of a difference is there? I'll be listening to music about 50% of the time and am a pseudo audiophile on a budget.

Do you mean the difference between HDMI "digital" audio and optical (or coax) "digital" audio? My understanding is that there is no difference, same stream, just different a way to get it there. Wow, if that is not the case, HDMI is the suck!

FWIW I also run my PS3 and a cable box via an HDMI switcher to my display and optical from each to my receiver with no problems they sound great.

OhioMike

· #9 · Jan 23, 2008

If the optical comes from TV to AVR it will only be 2ch. Run HDMI to TV from PS3 and Optical to AVR from PS3. Don't put the TV in the middle of your audio. In the PS3 menu go to system settings and select video via HDMI and audio via Optical/SPDIF and set it to bitstream. You will then get 5.1 from DD and DTS. PCM will only be 2ch either way and TrueHD and DTS-MA will be sent out as DD and DTS core only. But this is the only solution without and HDMI receiver on the PS3.

JD-AVS

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 23, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by JOHNnDENVER /forum/post/12909935

Well I never tried at the same time. It will run video HDMI and audio optical of course though.

Just to confirm, are you saying that the PS3 will run video through HDMI and optical out from the PS3 (not from the display) to the receiver?

JD-AVS

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 23, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by JD-AVS /forum/post/12910195

Just to confirm, are you saying that the PS3 will run video through HDMI and optical out from the PS3 (not from the display) to the receiver?

Nevermind on this question. It looks to be confirmed. Thanks for the assistance folks!

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Jack Gilvey

· #12 · Jan 23, 2008

Quote:
Do you mean the difference between HDMI "digital" audio and optical (or coax) "digital" audio? My understanding is that there is no difference, same stream, just different a way to get it there.

If referring to legacy DD/DTS tracks or "core" DTS, yes, same stream. Optical can't carry lossless codecs like TrueHD or DTS-HD MA, either as a bitstream or decoded to MC LPCM...this is where HDMI leaves it behind.

TowJumper

· #13 · Jan 23, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Gilvey /forum/post/12910259

If referring to legacy DD/DTS tracks or "core" DTS, yes, same stream. Optical can't carry lossless codecs like TrueHD or DTS-HD MA, either as a bitstream or decoded to MC LPCM...this is where HDMI leaves it behind.

Wonderful, thats what I thought. With my older receiver lossless codecs are not the issue.

peeweep69

· #14 · Jan 23, 2008

You're missing half the "picture", if you're not listening to MPCM on blu-ray. Why even get a blu-ray player if you're going to listen to core DD, a lot of upconnverting players look great. Lossless sound is amazing, I went out and bought a stand alone just to use the analog outs. You don't have to buy a new receiver. But if you're adamant about using optical, it would also depend on what you're watching, movies using optical and music like Dave Mathews using HDMI stereo through tv speakers sound great. Of course not all tv speakers are built the same

.

And I'm not trying to tell everybody to upgrade to hell, just my 2 cents on MPCM sound.

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Pocket Aces

· #15 · Jan 24, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman /forum/post/12909940

Bummer. Hopefully your TV sends back the correct data. I have heard some people mention that the optical out from TVs may be two channel PCM only. Maybe that's the minority, or maybe those comments were about optical in, not HDMI.

You are so right. My brother had HDMI from his PS3/HD Cable Box to his Plasma Screen then optical out from the plasma to his receiver. He was only getting two channel mixes (Dolby Prologic) at best. I showed him his problem over xmas and he finally saw the light and rewired optical from the PS3 and Cable Box straight to the receiver and finally got 5.1 sound. He didn't know this whole time and thought he was getting 5.1. Now he can really hear the difference.

hylong09

· #16 · Jan 24, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioMike /forum/post/12910133

If the optical comes from TV to AVR it will only be 2ch. Run HDMI to TV from PS3 and Optical to AVR from PS3. Don't put the TV in the middle of your audio. In the PS3 menu go to system settings and select video via HDMI and audio via Optical/SPDIF and set it to bitstream. You will then get 5.1 from DD and DTS. PCM will only be 2ch either way and TrueHD and DTS-MA will be sent out as DD and DTS core only. But this is the only solution without and HDMI receiver on the PS3.

"Run HDMI to TV from PS3 and Optical to AVR from PS3. Don't put the TV in the middle of your audio. In the PS3 menu go to system settings and select video via HDMI and audio via Optical"

I would prefer PCM. You'll need to increase the volume a bit higher and you'll be rewarded with clean, clear focus dialogue. The effects on surround are precise and dynamic creating realism.

OhioMike

· #17 · Jan 24, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by hylong09 /forum/post/12913264

"Run HDMI to TV from PS3 and Optical to AVR from PS3. Don't put the TV in the middle of your audio. In the PS3 menu go to system settings and select video via HDMI and audio via Optical"

I would prefer PCM. You'll need to increase the volume a bit higher and you'll be rewarded with clean, clear focus dialogue. The effects on surround are precise and dynamic creating realism.

I'm not really sure I understand your post...but the only problem is that the PS3 will only send 2ch PCM over optical. Bitstream through optical allows for true 5.1 from DD and DTS, although it is lossy, I think (as most) it is still better than stereo only lossless.

03Cobra

· #18 · Jan 24, 2008

You cant just run an HDMI cable from the PS3 to your RCVR's HDMI input?

DO you Have to run an Optical out from the PS3 to your RCVR?

Ascen5sion

· #19 · Jan 24, 2008

I should probably do the same with my 360 then??? Currently I have it running to the tv with component cables and then from my tv to the receiver via analog L and R. It doesn't sound bad, when people are running behind me I hear them from the rear speakers only. But I guess I will have to give this a try. I was thinking of getting the 360 pro or elite for the HDMI hookup.

MichaelJHuman

· #20 · Jan 24, 2008

There is no need to hook up the 360 with HDMI unless you need to do so to get 1080p for 1080p games.

You are stuck with Dolby Digital/DTS even if you move to HDMI, and 720p works perfectly well over component. That's how I roll.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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