Do Digital Optical Cables Support DTS-HD etc?

Question

I'm getting quite confused about Digital Optical Cables, some websites say that this type of connection do not support the new audio format like DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD etc.. but some websites say they do. Please could someone tell me if they do or not as I would like to buy the Sony DAV-DZ260 and connect it up to my PS3 using a Optical Cable.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Optical and coaxial digital connections are limited to compressed Dolby Digital or DTS (like from a DVD), or two-channel audio (or matrixed Dolby (Prologic) Surround).  

For lossless high-resolution surround formats like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD you need HDMI 1.3.  That means both the source (PS3) and receiver must be capable of HDMI 1.3 (or better).  However, if the PS3 can decode those formats internally to lossless PCM audio, any version of HDMI should work.

Also, if the player has multichannel analog outputs (RCA jacks), you won't need HDMI on the receiver as long as it has the corresponding multichannel analog inputs.

Answer 2

Optical cables support only 5.1 ACC (16 bit) sound. They do NOT support Dolby True-HD or DTS-HD (24 bit) sound. The ONLY way to get high definition sound is through an HDMI cable from a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player or a PS3. You also need to have a receiver that supports and can decode these new sound formats. The Sony you refer to will NOT decode high definition sound formats. If you want the good sound you have to kick out some bucks, or pounds as the case may be. You also need speakers good enough to show off the difference.

With the level of equipment you are referring to just get the Sony and stick with the fiber optic cable. Digital sound, even 16 bit digital sound, is so far above analog sound I'm sure you will be quite happy.

If you want to get into high definition sound save up your pennies because you will need to at least triple your budget to take advantage of it.

Answer 3

Optical or Coaxial cables doesn't support new audio formats. You need a HDMI switching or repeater receiver to get benefits, it would cost you around $500 ( receiver only ).

Answer 4

I assume they would support DTS HD High Resolution but not DTS HD Master. When playing a DTS HD Master soundtrack you will only get the compressed version of it through optical or coax. But since DTS HD High Resolution is already a compressed format, just a higher bit rate than standard DTS, it should play at full bit rate through optical or coax.

Answer 5

If they are OPTICAL I dont see why they shouldn't