Which is better for surround sound, HDMI or Optical output?

Question

Which is better for surround sound, HDMI or Optical output?

Answer 1

It's sort of an opinion question. They both claim to put out the same specifications.

One could make the argument that video and sound sync better with an HDMI, but the quality shoudl be the same with both.

Answer 2

An optical link is specifically designed for the job, however an hdmi would do just as well. A optical link cable is cheaper then a hdmi cable if you are yet to buy the cable!

Answer 3

They both provide essentially the same thing. Except...HDMI provides a nice convenient one cable connection for audio and video

With optical you will end up with more than one cable.

That is it in a nutshell. If you have an optical cable and an HDMI cable try em both out.

There are a lot of purists on here who will tell you HDMI is better and is capable of providing "TRUE HD Audio and Video" and will try and dazzle you with specs about bandwidth and bit rates and all that jazz. Your ears will not know the difference.

Our meeger human ears are analog not digital.

Answer 4

It depends what you're using it for.  For regular DTS or Dolby Ditgital, either should work fine for you.  However, if you're looking to pass one of the new HD formats like DTS Master Audio HD or Dolby Digital Plus or TrueHD, you'll have to go HDMI as this is currently said to be the only way to pass those newer signals.  It also depends on your receiver and if it will take an HDMI connection and if it will decode those newer sound formats.  Good luck!