What audio inputs should I use on my Sony receiver?

Question

I have a STR-DB840. What is better to use for the input jacks: 5.1 channel input (I have a surround sound system) or the Digital Optical input?

Answer 1

You usually don't bother with the individual channel inputs unless you have another device that can decode a surround sound signal and output the discrete channels.

Otherwise, just let your receiver do that work, and use the optical input.  Your receiver may also support digital coax, which carries the same signal, but uses a high quality RCA cable (usually colored orange) instead of the plastic fiber that optical uses.  Most DVD players will support both optical and digital coax.  Makes no difference which one you use.

Remember, this is only for devices that support surround sound.  Things like your old VCR, for instance, will only do stereo (red/white RCA cables) so it won't have an optical output.  This is still OK - you can use the normal stereo cables, and the receiver will only use the front speakers.  This will still give you a better sound than what your TV's speakers produce.

Answer 2

Digital optical input.

Answer 3

use 5.1 channel input coz it provides better quality and higher performance.