Why optical digital cord from TV to receiver In the "quick setup guide" it shows a optical digital cord running from the TV to the Receiver. Why do I need this if I am using HDMI for all of my connections? I looked at the Operating Instructions for more information and this is the only thing I could find: "However, it is necessary to connect the audio output of the TV to the audio input of the receiver using an optical cord to listen to the TV multichannel surround sound broadcasting from the receiver." Again, I do not understand. I thought HDMI had both video and audio. PLEASE HELP Why optical digital cord from TV to receiver In the "quick setup guide" it shows a optical digital cord running from the TV to the Receiver. Why do I need this if I am using HDMI for all... » Read More Why optical digital cord from TV to receiver In the "quick setup guide" it shows a optical digital cord running from the TV to the Receiver. Why do I need this if I am using HDMI for all of my connections? I looked at the Operating Instructions for more information and this is the only thing I could find: "However, it is necessary to connect the audio output of the TV to the audio input of the receiver using an optical cord to listen to the TV multichannel surround sound broadcasting from the receiver." Again, I do not understand. I thought HDMI had both video and audio. PLEASE HELP « Show Less
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I am reasonably certain that this is only needed if you watch OTA broadcasts (from an antenna) that your TV is decoding (without a DTV converter box) in order to have digital surround. Additionally, if your TV supports streaming media content from the web (via ethernet cable) you will need to this connection - again, to get the audio signal to your surround system. If you do not watch broadcast television and your television does not have an internet connection, you will not need the optical digital connection.I, personally have a Bravia TV that I watch streaming video and OTA broadcasts. I plan to purchase the HTSS360 soon as I don't currently have an HTS and can't stand the sound of the built-in TV speakers. I am reasonably certain that this is only needed if you watch OTA broadcasts (from an antenna) that your TV is decoding (without a DTV converter box) in order to have digital surround. Additionally, if your TV supports streaming media content from the web (via ethernet cable) you will need to this connection - again, to get the audio signal to your surround system. If you do not watch broadcast television and your television does not have an internet connection, you will not need the optical digital connection.I, personally have a Bravia TV that I watch... » Read More I am reasonably certain that this is only needed if you watch OTA broadcasts (from an antenna) that your TV is decoding (without a DTV converter box) in order to have digital surround. Additionally, if your TV supports streaming media content from the web (via ethernet cable) you will need to this connection - again, to get the audio signal to your surround system. If you do not watch broadcast television and your television does not have an internet connection, you will not need the optical digital connection.I, personally have a Bravia TV that I watch streaming video and OTA broadcasts. I plan to purchase the HTSS360 soon as I don't currently have an HTS and can't stand the sound of the built-in TV speakers. « Show Less
478144
the only audio output on some HDTVs is optical, such as my Viera X1, so the only way you will get any sound from your TV channels through your speakers (which your TV processes from the input from the wall) is from that optical output to your receiver unless you use a cable-box in which case you can just get it from a HDMI or optical cable from the cable-box to your receiver.The reason for this is the TVs, at least the ones I've setup, do not output audio through HDMI only through RCA or optical, and you'll only get digital audio from optical obviously so that's why the guide shows that.The optical cables are really cheap anyhow on Amazon so it shouldn't be a problem. the only audio output on some HDTVs is optical, such as my Viera X1, so the only way you will get any sound from your TV channels through your speakers (which your TV processes from the input from the wall) is from that optical output to your receiver unless you use a cable-box in which case you can just get it from a HDMI or optical cable from the cable-box to your receiver.The reason for this is the TVs, at least the ones I've setup, do not output audio through HDMI only through RCA or optical, and you'll only get digital audio from optical obviously so that's why the guide... » Read More the only audio output on some HDTVs is optical, such as my Viera X1, so the only way you will get any sound from your TV channels through your speakers (which your TV processes from the input from the wall) is from that optical output to your receiver unless you use a cable-box in which case you can just get it from a HDMI or optical cable from the cable-box to your receiver.The reason for this is the TVs, at least the ones I've setup, do not output audio through HDMI only through RCA or optical, and you'll only get digital audio from optical obviously so that's why the guide shows that.The optical cables are really cheap anyhow on Amazon so it shouldn't be a problem. « Show Less
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I have a new HDTV and it only has the optical output. We went from the cable box to the TV with HDMI, but I also want to connect to a home theater system. My receiver is an older one and does not have HDMI or optical. Can I just use the left- right audio outputs that are on the back of the cable box for the audio receiver as well as using the HDMI for the television??? Sal
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Yes, but one quick note that might help you: I switched from and older receiver that had many inputs and outputs but no HDMI to a newer one with HDMI support. At first when setting up the sound bar I freaked out when I realized the newer receiver didn't have optical out but it didn't stop me; I ended up running the optical out from the TV to the sound bar. If you have to do this you might need to go into your receiver's settings and enable sound through the TV HDMI signal (it was disabled in mine).
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The Optical out from the TV needs to connect into a splitter with an optical in . From that point on just connect each line out from the splitter into each box.Let me know what it sounds like? You will need 3 optical connections plus an optical splitter (1 in and 2 out)
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The receiver does handle audio from HDMI sources. There is no need for optical or coaxial digital connections to get audio from HDMI sources.
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James, do you have an HDMI connection on your cable box and or other peripherals (DVD, bluray etc)? Optical is a good solution for component or analog video connections with digital audio (surround sound) decoders. If you have HDMI then your best possible video and audio solution is to go directly from your cable box and DVD/bluray with HDMI cables which would carry 1080p (high definition) video as well as 7.1 surround sound on a single cable. If this option is out of the question then you could go the lesser quality route of using optical connection into 2 inputs on the rear of the v375. This unit would replace your current surround processor. Any further questions feel free to reply! James, do you have an HDMI connection on your cable box and or other peripherals (DVD, bluray etc)? Optical is a good solution for component or analog video connections with digital audio (surround sound) decoders. If you have HDMI then your best possible video and audio solution is to go directly from your cable box and DVD/bluray with HDMI cables which would carry 1080p (high definition) video as well as 7.1 surround sound on a single cable. If this option is out of the question then you could go the lesser quality route of using optical connection into 2 inputs on the rear of the v375.... » Read More James, do you have an HDMI connection on your cable box and or other peripherals (DVD, bluray etc)? Optical is a good solution for component or analog video connections with digital audio (surround sound) decoders. If you have HDMI then your best possible video and audio solution is to go directly from your cable box and DVD/bluray with HDMI cables which would carry 1080p (high definition) video as well as 7.1 surround sound on a single cable. If this option is out of the question then you could go the lesser quality route of using optical connection into 2 inputs on the rear of the v375. This unit would replace your current surround processor. Any further questions feel free to reply! « Show Less
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I assume you are looking to run the audio out from TV to an audio receiver or similar. The Audio Return Channel (ARC) running through the HDMI connector labeled for ARC appears to only support stereo (2 channel) audio. The original source should be irrelevant. I have a Sony 7.1 channel audio receiver hooked up and attempted to run all my sources (Verizon FIOS box, PS3, etc) directly into the TV and then have it forward the audio to the receiver via ARC in order to avoid having to use the HDMI video switching in the receiver. However I found that it took my 7.1 sources and only passed through 2 channels (L/R)!!! It's not clear whether the TV internals or the connection is limiting this, but if you dig into specs you'll see that the quality of audio that you'll get via ARC is dependent on what the device is built to send through and TVs often only support 2ch as their own built-in speakers are limited to this. With this TV however, you do have the option of using the optical audio out connector from the TV to receiver which does support 5.1. It does NOT support 7.1. Since I refuse to have two useless speakers I had to wire all sources back through the A/V receiver first and then a single HDMI out to the TV so the TV is not in the audio path at all. The drawback is less clean input source changing but I can live with that. The only exception is when the TV itself is the audio source for example when using the Apps like Skype, Amazon VoD, HBO Go, etc. For those I used the optical audio out from TV mentioned above which results in a good 5.1 to my audio system (I doubt the apps or their content really support 7.1 anyway). Sorry for the lengthy explanation, but as I learned there are a lot of details to this. If you only care about 5.1 and not 7.1, then I suggest you use the optical audio instead of ARC and then it should work fine at the very least for any HDMI input to the TV (I haven't tried any others).
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I have this receiver and wanted to let you know that on this model the HDMI ports are ONLY FOR Video. You need to use an optical cable to get at least 5.1 sound. The advantage of HDMI is that the audio and video signals are on the same cable. I don't know why it doesn't work like that on this one? It is not the top of the line so the newer ones probably have it. I think the norm now is 7.1 or 7.2 channels. It is a good receiver though. I don't even have a subwoofer hooked up to it and it still sounds good. I hope that helps you out. You can plug an optical cable from the tv to the receiver but it might be only 2 channel surround sound. I use that setup for my roku 3 I hope this helps. I have this receiver and wanted to let you know that on this model the HDMI ports are ONLY FOR Video. You need to use an optical cable to get at least 5.1 sound. The advantage of HDMI is that the audio and video signals are on the same cable. I don't know why it doesn't work like that on this one? It is not the top of the line so the newer ones probably have it. I think the norm now is 7.1 or 7.2 channels. It is a good receiver though. I don't even have a subwoofer hooked up to it and it still sounds good. I hope that helps you out. You can plug an optical cable from the tv to the receiver... » Read More I have this receiver and wanted to let you know that on this model the HDMI ports are ONLY FOR Video. You need to use an optical cable to get at least 5.1 sound. The advantage of HDMI is that the audio and video signals are on the same cable. I don't know why it doesn't work like that on this one? It is not the top of the line so the newer ones probably have it. I think the norm now is 7.1 or 7.2 channels. It is a good receiver though. I don't even have a subwoofer hooked up to it and it still sounds good. I hope that helps you out. You can plug an optical cable from the tv to the receiver but it might be only 2 channel surround sound. I use that setup for my roku 3 I hope this helps. « Show Less
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The HDMI (ARC) cable takes the input/output from the blueray player to your TV HDMI (ARC)input/output. The one cable does everything. The cable rating should be "high speed." I got RCA Digital plus cable. My Samsung TV says with the Audio Return Chanel (ARC) enabled, optical input is disabled.If you do not have ARC available on your TV, you have HDMI but not HDMI (ARC), then you would need both types cable, the HDMI and optical. Only the ARC type sends and receives from both units. That's the way I see it!
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If you're using a receiver that does its own DTS and/or Dolby decoding, you'll need to select "Bitstream" instead of "PCM" for the s/pdif and/or HDMI audio output. If you're using HDMI, the HDMI cable carries both audio and video signals. You don't need any other connections. If you're using digital coaxial or optical toslink audio cables, then you'll also probably be connecting the video via RGB component video. It is indeed possible to run with separate HDMI for video and coax/optical for audio. However, it is simply not necessary if you're using HDMI and only adds another layer of complexity. HDMI makes things simple. There is more info available here: http://hometheater.about.com/od/blurayandhddvd/qt/Blu-Ray-Disc-Player-Audio-Settings-Bitstream-Vs-Pcm.htm This ICOM BD780 player makes testing your audio outputs unnecessarily difficult. DO NOT rely upon the audio tests built into the menu system of this player! IT LIES! Pop in a 5.1 DVD or BD and test with that. Make sure that the movie is actually playing to test; most disc menus only play in stereo and not 5.1 surround sound. When I have this player set up in bitstream mode, the built-in audio tests fail to output to all of my speakers. However, when playing a 5.1 DVD or BD, it works just fine and outputs in full glorious 5.1 surround sound. I hope this helps anybody else who is frustrated by this otherwise decent player. The lack of an online manual or support website is just disgraceful.
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I believe it to be true and originally ran HDMI to the TV (DirecTV HD-DVR and PS3) and then optical audio out to my receiver. The sound just didn't "pop" out and then I read the TV manual on a whim and couldn't believe that the output only is in 2-channel. I later read somewhere that it is intentional for copyright reasons. Unfortunately, my Surround Sound Receiver also has an annoying limitation whereby it switches HDMI but does not extract the audio from the HDMI connection. So, the workaround for me was to connect the HDMI (for video only) to the TV, keep the TV volume at zero, and connect the digital audio sources from the components to the receiver (which only has two optical audio inputs.) The sound and audio were offset but most good receivers will let you adjust to get them back in-sync.
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I haven't tried it both ways, so I don't know that there's a difference. But I have my main connections go directly to the TV and run the optical cable for when I want better sound (which I don't always care about), and that works just fine.
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I think Nelci is saying you should run hdmi from the cable box to your TV for every day audio and video use, but also run an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver so you get surround sound when you want to watch a movie or something. Just remember to mute your TV when you want surround sound. To address John's last question, in my experience you lose the 5.1 signal if you use the TV to pass an audio signal. At least it's that way on my Toshiba 65HM167. Its optical output only sends a 5.1 signal if you are using the internal tuner. It will pass 2 channel audio from any other source though. I think Nelci is saying you should run hdmi from the cable box to your TV for every day audio and video use, but also run an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver so you get surround sound when you want to watch a movie or something. Just remember to mute your TV when you want surround sound. To address John's last question, in my experience you lose the 5.1 signal if you use the TV to pass an audio signal. At least it's that way on my Toshiba 65HM167. Its optical output only sends a 5.1 signal if you are using the internal tuner. It will pass 2 channel audio from any... » Read More I think Nelci is saying you should run hdmi from the cable box to your TV for every day audio and video use, but also run an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver so you get surround sound when you want to watch a movie or something. Just remember to mute your TV when you want surround sound. To address John's last question, in my experience you lose the 5.1 signal if you use the TV to pass an audio signal. At least it's that way on my Toshiba 65HM167. Its optical output only sends a 5.1 signal if you are using the internal tuner. It will pass 2 channel audio from any other source though. « Show Less
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If you do not have an ARC HDMI connection on your TV use the digital output on your TV to the digital Input on your receiver with a Toslink cable. This is what I had to do and it works perfectly.
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Hi squeezil1, HDMI connection transmits both video and audio signals in digital format while optical cable only transmits audio signal. If you are using this Sony Soundbar for audio purposes only, you can use optical cable. However, if you are using this unit for both video and audio (when a cable box is connected), you can use HDMI instead. So bottom line is that both connection has superior quality, it just depends on your type of usage. -Ely
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that was my experience; somewhere in the literature in fact says that if you use HDMI or Digital Optical cable, that you have to use the audio cable out as well (defeats the purpose of the HDMI or Digital Optical cable IMO), however it works well with that set-up
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HI William, I have my optical cord connected to my Dish network receiver out to the Sony surround sound. The Sony unit is connected with an HDMI to the TV.. it sounds great. The only signal going to the TV is the video the sound goes thru the Sony surround Sound. Hope I answered your question if not I would go to the Sony Website I'm sure customer service can help you there..
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I have 3 components connected to my receiver - An Amazon TV, a Blu-Ray disk player and the Directv receiver - all using HDMI cables. You do need to have the receiver on, but how else would you get that beautiful sound! If your DirecTV receiver doesn't have an HDMI output, you can connect the DirecTV box to the composite video inputs on the front of the receiver and select the V-Aux input on the remote control. You may be able to connect it to one of the composite video inputs on the back, but I didn't try that. I hope that helps. TopCatOnyx