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HDMI vs Optical audio
#366778 02/15/12 11:55 PM
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Is there any reason to run HDMI cable to an AVR that does not support HD audio or will I really just get the same result using an optical cable?

Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366782 02/16/12 12:31 AM
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so the HDMI is a passthrough for the video only? I would use it simply because of less cables, one hdmi from output to receiver, one hdmi from receiver to tv. I understant that some receivers are unable to decode the HD audio, but devices such as the PS3 decode the lossless audio and output the data, but not sure if regular AVRs are able to play it. If you worried about price of cable, I would check monoprice.com for cables, they are pretty cheap.

Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366821 02/16/12 05:04 AM
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The main reason would be for the HD video 1080P otherwise component can handle the 720P signal.

Seems odd to me that if a receiver has HDMI inputs it should support HD audio in some form, I guess some very early HDMI compliant avr's might not support HD audio.


Jason
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Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366831 02/16/12 07:43 AM
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After reading your other posts I now know you are working with an older HK 645; someone correct me if I am wrong but isn't the HK645 capable of playing HD audio when the Player is set to output PCM?


Jason
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Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366833 02/16/12 09:28 AM
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those AVR with HDMI 1.2 or lower would accept 7.1 LPCM signal but would not take bitstream from the player.

as long as the player can decode those HD Audio and send as PCM, it will be fine....I have a Yamaha V861 previously so I knew that.

Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366837 02/16/12 12:18 PM
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Thanks for your help. So what I think I understand from your replys is I should scrap the optical cable and run the 8 (6) channel analog from player to AVR and set player to output pcm? When doing this, since the signal is output as analog, is there any audio quality difference between the DAC in the samsung BR vs the one in the Oppo DVD. I am trying to convince myself that it is time to retire the Oppo and let the BR take over, but I dont seem to want to let it go.

Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366845 02/16/12 02:17 PM
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Actually, since the Oppo is a DVD player (I am assuming is not a BR player), then you don't have HD audio from that player anyway - HD audio codecs are only BR discs. IMO I would just use the BR player for everything - the only thing you'd be giving up is the Oppo's well known good up-conversion for standard def video material - but this will not affect your audio options. Unless SACD or DVD Audio are a concern for you? Those might be other reasons why you'd want to keep the Oppo in the mix.

So, the only way you're going to get HD Audio with your current setup is to use LPCM output from the BR player over HDMI to your receiver.

Hope that helps, and if I've made a mistake or bad assumption please correct me!


Dan
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Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366851 02/16/12 02:26 PM
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You are correct about the Oppo and I have played the same DVD's on the BR with only a slight difference in video quality. My concern was the audio quality of the Oppo vs the BR but I think I have come to realize that as long as the signal is digital it shouldnt matter since the AVR will handle that anyway. Will the 8 channel analog outputs of the BR also give me HD audio to the AVR?

Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366855 02/16/12 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted By: mreed
... Will the 8 channel analog outputs of the BR also give me HD audio to the AVR?


Actually that I am not 100% sure of - someone else will answer that I'm sure. However I believe if you go LPCM over HDMI there's no advantage to the 8 analog cables. It should amount to the same thing either way with the likelihood of better bass management through HDMI.


Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
Re: HDMI vs Optical audio
mreed #366857 02/16/12 02:43 PM
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Ok, so if BR is set to output LPCM to 8 channel would I them choose PCM on a DVD menu as opposed to 5.1? All my DVD's have either a 5.1 Dolby, DTS or PCM option. How does that setting fit into the mix?

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