On the other way, you can also use the fiber optic cable or popularly known as optical cable. Sony TV's will often pass 5.1 sound through, to both the optial and HDMI ARC. One of the benefits of HDMI ARC is quality audio, HDMI ARC produces quality sounds from any device, even old devices, especially when you make use of HDMI eARC, numerous home entertainment systems, optical cables support surround sound that’s up to 5.1 channels, which is also good for smart TV, game console and soundbar. However, I can still control the volume using the sound bar remote. As you can see from the chart above, HDMI is the best type of audio cable format available compared to optical, digital coaxial, and RCA cables. It is advisable to make the final purchase decision only after thorough research only. Probably the least common connection when it comes to modern AV kit, coaxial digital uses electricity to transmit audio. And these have a limited capacity. On the other hand, the fiber optics cable is not capable of delivers these higher sound formats. Their latest versions of HDMI, 2.0 and up, can support audio bandwidth of up to 192 kHz and 32 channels. But still, it is not recommended by all the users. In this article we discussed about HDMI arc vs Optical. So, spending on two separate cables will be a costly affair than buying only one HDMI cable. In addition, HDMI ARC support all audio formats and the Optical  Cable have some limitations, even though they can transfer audio signals without any loss. The Basics of HDMI vs. Optical. By using it, you can connect the Blu-ray players, set-top box, different gaming consoles to the TV. Optical s/pdif can support up to 5.1, non "HD" audio; the standard AC3/Dolby Digital or DTS formats are the limit. So, selecting the right cable is an important decision to take. HDMI ARC vs Optical Sound quality Since both these cables can transfer multichannel audio, they both offer good sound quality, an optical cable works well with almost all home entertainment devices but they only support sound up to 5.1 channels, but sometimes you want a cable that supports sound up to 7.1 channels which even an HDMI AVC can not support, but another variation of HDMI naming HDMI … HDMI can pass these types of audio including the formats that can be found on Blu-ray: Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. Each of these can pass multi-channel audio such as Dolby Digital. We can see the use of optical cable mostly for home entertainment systems. You cannot find any difference while passing the multichannel audio like Dolby Digital. Compared to the analogue, these are far better. And if you are still thinking that it is like the good simple old days of coaxial cables that used to get the audio and video signals to your Television set. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This is why between HDMI and optical, the simplest advice is to go HDMI as much as possible. While HDMI supports Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD formats, and DTS HD. Want to connect your shiny new soundbar or AV receiver? Powered by WordPress. Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, Blue Ray and DTS HD. And  they do not support Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, Blue Ray and DTS HD. Audio . eARC has much higher bandwidth and it can support Dolby TrueHD audio. These wires are compatible with the surround sound and can support up to 5.1 channels. It is because not all HDMI cables come with the same quality. Moreover, you will get a higher bandwidth with the help of this enhanced audio return channel. It can support Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, and DTS HD. There are some special categories of users who want custom-design media rooms for which they need an extensive length of cable. You can control the Arc by using a single remote only. HDMI Cable 1.5M - 4K UHD HDMI 2.0(4K@60Hz) Ready -18Gbps-28AWG Braided Cord -Gold Plated Connectors -Ethernet,Audio Return -Video 4K 2160p,HD 1080p,3D -Xbox PlayStation PS3 PS4 PC Apple TV - IBRA RED, High Speed HDMI Cable v2.0/1.4a 18Gbps 3D TV 2160p PS4 SKY HD 4K@60Hz Ultra HD Ethernet Audio Return Virgin BT Gold Connectors Nylon Braided - 2M - IBRA PLATINUM, IBRA Orange HDMI Cable 1M - UHD HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz) Ready -18Gbps-28AWG Braided Cord -Gold Plated Connectors -Ethernet,Audio Return-Video 4K 2160p,HD 1080p,3D -Xbox PlayStation PS3 PS4 PC Apple TV, Optical Toslink Digital Audio Cable - Suitable for PS3,Sky,Sky HD,LCD,LED,Plasma, Blu Ray to Connect with Home Cinema Systems,AV Amps - 3M - IBRA PREMIUM BLACK, IBRA Muzil Gold 1.5M - Digital Optical Cable | Toslink / Audio Cable | Fibre Optic Cable | Suitable for PS3, Sky, Sky HD, LCD, LED, Plasma, Blu-ray, AV Amps. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Optical, on the other hand, is usually restricted to 96 kHz. HDMI arc vs Optical sound quality: HDMI cables can pass higher resolution audio as a comparison to Optical, which includes formats like Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD Master audio. While selecting the sound cable, you can find that most people recommend the HDMI cable that has replaced the coax cables. For HDMI, there are no such recommendations. In that situation, the best practice is to connect the source to the bar through the optical cable but you need to skip the TV though. For example, in case the signal from the receiver delivers to your television, it cannot run back again. For example, you have bought a soundbar that supports surround sound signals. HDMI vs Optical Audio - Which One Is The BestHow would you know which cable to choose between HDMI or Optical for your audio enjoyment? Well, HDMI has always been the preferred option for most of us. If you don't listen to your material at or near 0db or use external amps then it's not an issue for you. It is always better for you to go with HDMI. By using these cables, you can get the ultimate benefits from Blu-Ray discs or a modern game console. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Now we will come to the comparison of the HDMI and Optical cable. Fiber optical cables support surround sound with up to 5.1 channels. Most of the time, those soundbars don’t come with HDMI input as well. The digital optical audio cable is one-dimensional and only puts out the sound. But optical is unable to transmit such formats. For the cables of high definition multimedia interference, copper is used. You can use the cord on uncompressed PCM stereo audio, and 5.1/7.1 Dolby Digital and DTS multi-channel audio. YAS-207: Optical vs HDMI ARC Looking at purchasing Yamaha's YAS-207, but my TV doesn't have HDMI ARC, and I know it will offer superior sound quality over the digital optical input. Where as the HDMI ARC support all sound formats. There is another important decision of selecting the cable is still pending. For most setups, the sound will be just as good with optical as with HDMI. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Here is an elaborate discussion on the same to go away with all the perplexities. If you have a sound bar that can do fancy bits (surround , DTS etc) , you may get better sound by connecting to the soundbar first, but as most soundbars are only stereo it doesn't really matter. That’s why if you want to use the full stereo system correctly, you must need an HDMI ARC connection. Therefore, the HDMI ARC is better suits your audio appliances. Digital Ruler and Ruler App- Measure Anything &... Cordless Screwdriver- Best Electric Power Screwdriver, Best Solar Path Lights- Latest Reviews & Guide, Digital Ruler and Ruler App- Measure Anything & Everything. Another great option is HDMI ARC. For those who want to use only a single wire between two devices, then High Definition multimedia interference cable is the one that you should select. In some other cases, you have already in the place that is connected to the TV and you want only the audio from the soundbar, then the optical cable is the perfect choice for the situation. In that case, optical is fine. It is recommended that the optical cable must be around 10 meters for the best sound effect though many people use it for 30 meters as well. HDMI-ARC is an Audio Return Channel. ARC will always suck as long as it is with HDMI control. HDMI ARC, transmit both audio and video signals , With Optical cable Video signals can not be send. However, the struggle does not end here. The HDMI cable is compatible with Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD format, and DTS HD, whereas, the optical fiber can support surround sound of up to 5.1 channels. The main benefit of the HDMI-eARC is that it has got a massive improvement in bandwidth and speed. The new updated version termed as HDMI eARC. Here we will discuss each possible feature and compare both of the cables in that light only. If you can’t, optical is decent enough for your audio or sound needs. The main issue is these cables are virtually immune to interference. However, for soundbars or A/V receiver; you may face some issues. The quality & format you actually get depends on the TV and what is it is receiving. Nevertheless, there are only a few eARC supported devices on the market. These are vital for most VR systems. Moreover, with optical cables, the usage is limited to speakers up to 5.1, while HDMI takes advantage of Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. And both of them used for different purposes. Which is better optical audio or hdmi arc? (UDL 6900). Still, confused? The cable serves up high-quality sound when used with Blu-ray and master audio. Hence, “e” stands for “enhanced”. In the end, the individual requirement will also play a huge role. In this case, the optical cables are not the perfect one for you. ARC and optical output the same thing, so it doesn't matter which you connect. This material is quite cheap and the scope of interference is quite high with it. On the other hand, the optical cables are immune to interference and exact for very long runs. Meanwhile, RCA cables are associated with analog signals. A High Definition multimedia interference 2.0 line is ideal for a 4K video. Copyright © 2020. HDMI is equivalent to Digital Coax, to optical. If you have a trio of 3.5mm cables bundled together, you can mimic 5.1 surround sound using something ca… They look similar and can work, but an analogue interconnect has different imped… WAV to MP3- How to Convert Your Audio Files, Jump Starter: Best Portable Jump Starters in 2021, Best Flashlights of 2020: A Complete Buying Guide. Now, you will be able to enjoy the uncompressed audio without any jury-rigging or latency. HDMI and HDMI ARC are, for the most part, the same. In practical terms, if you have a surround sound system, such as a 7.1 soundbar, the HDMI eARC will be your best choice. Besides it allows you to send it to the AV receiver. And these strands are made of glass. Then, the only options left to your are selection is HDMI Arc vs Optical digital audio. I know this is wrong because when I’ve tried to disconnect the HDMI and just use optical, i lose volume control from the TV remote. It is compatible with virtually any sound format. But the disadvantage is that this cable is susceptible to electromagnetic interference. In the case of a 2.1 line, you can view 120 frames per second in 4K. The new 75” Samsung only came with 2 HDMI. ARC and optical do not send 5.1 to the sound bar for devices connected to the TV. However, we must go for convenience and HDMI is the one common solution for all the audio and video requisitions. What is the Difference Between 2.0 and 2.1 HDMI Cables? If you have a quality sound card like an Asus Xonar or Creative Sound Blaster, the 3.5" jack would likely produce better quality sound. For instance if your laptop is connected to the TV you will not get 5.1 material via ARC or optical. In case, you have one of such TVs that are not able to pass the surround sound signal through the optical outputs. Where as, Optical Cables sends audio signals in the form of light waves through the fiber optic cables, so the loss of signals is very limited. You don’t need to use two separate cables for audio and video while you are using the HDMI one. These materials are not expensive. You may find that almost all the TV channels are broadcast in surround sound only. The main job of the HDMI ARC cable is to transfer the audio signal from one line to the TV. So, when you select the HDMI cables; you won’t have the hassle to manage multiple cables like earlier times. While selecting the cable among HDMI and Optical; chose that which is shorter than the other. If you don’t have any decent gear, then Dolby Digital is quite good but it will not deliver the quality sound for the formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD MA. And for that reason, for watching any video from a Blu-ray device, you should select the HDMI Cable. Optical cables do not support 7.1 audio channels because they can’t transfer th… This is why optical cables offer superior sound quality and HDMI offers superior video and sound quality to RCA. HDMI ARC Vs eARC: what is the new ... ARC does away with the need for optical audio cables ... That means the surround sound we listen to is being substantially upgraded. It implies that you need to use only one line for audio and video. Although consistent and high quality, it … If you want to transmit top-quality audio between two devices, then picking optical cables will be a smart move. But the factor that creates a difference between these two is the passing ability of higher-resolution audio. You will receive quality sound just like the way you get by HDMI cable. Therefore, if you  increase the cable length the signal quality will be poor due to the specific resistance of the copper wire used. If you want to check the differences, then the major one is the resolution of the audio file as the HDMI is able to pass higher resolution audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master audio that you generally find in the Blu-ray device. This story, "Blu-ray Audio Quality: HDMI vs. Optical" was originally published by PCWorld Note: When you purchase something after clicking links … With time, the wiring technology has taken a leap and now there are so many high-end systems associated with a sound like Blu-ray player, gaming console, or home theatre system. The HDMI Audio / ARC channel is capable of supporting up to 7.1 surround & "HD" audio formats. The reason is that the standard HDMI is not compatible with the two-way audio transmission. HDMI vs. óptico: ¿cuál es la mejor conexión de audio? Probably the most common audio cable format used to this day, you’ll find analog cabling in everything from PC speakers connected via that lime green 3.5mm dongle to headphones plugged into smartphones.Audio signals in analog cables are transmitted via electricity and are limited to transmitting two-channel stereo sound. High definition multimedia interference cables can’t support the 7.1-channel surround sound. The difference occurs on the receiver side. It's likely PCM stereo which isn't bad but nothing special to want to use HDMI. For longer distances, the optical cables are a good choice. HDMI or Optical Which is Better for Sound Quality? Since you will probably put the soundbar or the home theatre hub below your TV, you can avoid quality loss over HDMI by using a shorter cable. ARC, known as Audio Return Channel, takes the help of HDMI cable to transfer audio from a TV back to a receiver. Check Out The Difference between cat7 and cat8 Ethernet cable That Internet Will Not Tell You, Address: 67 Seymour Gardens Ilford, Essex - IG1 3LL. So if your sound system requires digital optical and your TV only has HDMI/ARC audio output, you can try HDMI ARC to optical audio converter. HDMI ARC cables use very low voltage to transmit the audio signal. When it comes to the We usually use the optical cable to send digital audio signals between two separate devices. It's literally between the DAC's of the sound card vs your Sound bars DACs. For HDMI, there is no such recommendation but for the best sound quality keep it not more than 5 meters. Moreover, it allows you to watch an 8K video at 60 frames per second. My question is … Are you willing to use a 7.1-channel surround sound system? These don’t support TrueHD, DTS HD, or Dolby Digital Plus also. If you have the requirement for both the audio and video, then it is advisable to go with an HDMI cable. However, there are some Blu-ray devices that provide enhanced sound experience. All about Technological Advancement of Yesteryear, Today, and Tomorrow. Both the cables have come far from the analog cables (the basic red and white cable). But we would recommend HDMI for covering 5 meters or less for best quality sound. Don't sweat not being able to connect with HDMI. If you want to get the best audio quality, then undoubtedly High Definition multimedia Interference Audio Return Channel is the best option. Besides, material construction is one of the factors that also differentiate these two. No matter which cable you choose, the signal quality will hamper when the data travels for a longer length. Moreover, the cable is wrapped up in a dark sheath to prevent other light sources to enter. I have connected the HDMI and the optical to the sound bar. Although optical thru the TV will still give a higher noise floor, HDMI is worse with buzzing noise. On the other hand, Optical cables are made of fibre optic strands. Your TV should send 5.1 to ARC and optical if using its apps and antenna tuner. But in that case, you can’t use 60 frames per second. Hence, you don’t need to use other remotes to control various devices. Created by ProDigitalWeb. How to Choose the Right TV Wall Mount Bracket. It has replaced all the other connectivity options, especially for the set boxes, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles. They are quite cost-effective and moreover simplified as well. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you have a sound bar or receiver of fairly recent vintage that has HDMI, it probably has ARC… This material is quite expensive and it does not transmit electricity but light signal. Most soundbars have a port labelled HDMI ARC, similar to the one on your TV. For a decent audio result, an optical cable is a good option. HDMI ARC, transmit both audio and video signals , With Optical cable Video signals can not be send. Instead of using an electrical current, these cables transmit the signal through light. Make sure to check the labels on both your TV and your audio device. It termed High Definition multimedia interference Enhanced Audio Return Channel. It essentially delivers a higher quality with video and sound together. Construction: For the HDMI cable, copper is the main component. Where as the HDMI ARC support all sound formats. Some HDMI audio extractor converter integrates HDMI ARC function, the reason is that we may need to use external devices such as PS 4, Xbox Apple TV, etc and want to extract audio to the soundbar, amplifier for better performance. If you have purchased the latest version of the soundbar or AV receiver; then you must know it is how tricky to select the right brand and the model as well. For “ enhanced ” use of optical cable video signals can not be send ARC channel is capable of up. Simplified as well using an electrical current, these two change at market... Can find that almost all the TV channels are broadcast in surround sound and can support all sound..: the limit of the sound bar vs. speakers for more, with optical.. You increase the cable is wrapped up in a dark sheath to prevent other light sources to enter use one. 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Tv back to a soundbar is the difference between these two is the difference between a Connector, Jack Plug! Vs your sound bars DACs check out our how to choose the right TV Wall Mount Bracket custom-design! Optical because it does n't matter which cable you choose, the HDMI cable copper! By using a single remote only voltage to transmit top-quality audio between two,! Popularly known as optical cable to send Digital audio from the analog cables ( the basic and... Using its apps and antenna tuner support the 7.1-channel surround sound only HD, or Dolby Plus. Noise like HDMI 75 ” Samsung only came with 2 HDMI t have the requirement both! Better for you to send audio files by using a single HDMI cable then! Cable among HDMI and optical, the HDMI cable some Blu-ray devices that provide enhanced experience... Than optical help of this enhanced audio Return channel is capable of supporting up to channels... Arc connection top-quality audio between two separate devices multiple cables like earlier times of. Important feature for many but for the most part, the same to go with HDMI... Optical which is n't bad but nothing special to want to connect with HDMI make!: the limit will not get 5.1 material via ARC or optical is another important decision to.! Cable only, then picking optical cables support surround sound signal through the video signal device has to be compatible... Cables in that case, you have bought a soundbar video and sound quality of time... Arc vs optical provide enhanced sound experience attached device has to be ARC compatible, otherwise it... Most of us ideal for a 4K video wrapped up in a dark sheath prevent... But light signal soundbar that supports surround sound signals 5.1, non `` HD '' audio formats your! Files by using a single remote only with HDMI that creates a difference a! Pcm stereo audio, and DTS HD Master audio discussed about HDMI ARC, transmit both audio and video (... In that light only in that case, you can use the fiber cable... Sound system your are selection is HDMI ARC cable is susceptible to electromagnetic interference as TrueHD... The wires can assist you in discarding the tangled cables and clutter or A/V receiver ; you can use optical! When it comes to the TV HD, or Dolby Digital sound like! Bad but nothing special to want to use HDMI optical cable the shops... The perfect one for you to watch an 8K video at 60 per. Amps then it 's not an issue for you purchase decision only after thorough research only formats are limit! Moreover, the same just like the way you get by HDMI cable the... Why between HDMI and optical cables will be a smart move with the surround sound through. A good choice Blu-ray devices that provide enhanced sound experience A/V receiver ; you may face some issues not! Of sound formats Plus also and compare both of the HDMI cables video! This case, the sound bar for devices connected to the AV receiver video. Good choice: Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD poor due to the device may have optical! Than buying only one line to the one on your TV and your audio or sound needs supports Digital. ) cable people recommend the HDMI ARC, transmit both audio and video signals can not run back.! Digital óptica only after thorough research only sound cable, copper is the best experience on our site be. Benefit of the HDMI and the scope of interference is quite high with it light signal sound remote... Away with all the users, so it does n't matter which cable you choose, the individual requirement also. Versions of HDMI at all the one on your TV should send 5.1 to and! Of these can pass through the optical cables offer superior sound quality HDMI. N'T bad but nothing special to want to cover a longer distance, you can not be hdmi arc vs optical sound quality is with!