HDMI & Optical Ports - Why both?

Lots of people have receivers that don't have HDMI inputs. Having both allows you to send the HDMI to the TV and the optical audio to the receiver.

Also, some older TVs and many monitors have DVI or VGA inputs, neither of which support audio. People using HDMI to DVI/VGA converters need an alternative to HDMI for audio.

For people with a dedicated audio Hi-Fi system.

81Tiger04 said:

Are you saying optical is better?

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It's not any better or worse, but like I said before if you have a receiver without HDMI inputs then you need an alternative.

warvanov said:

Lots of people have receivers that don't have HDMI inputs.

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Exactly. So without it lots of people wouldn't be able to get 5.1 AC3 out, even though they have a 5.1 set up and receiver.

81Tiger04 said:

Are you saying optical is better?

Click to expand...

It is digital, like HDMI, but as noted above, consider having a TV or receiver with abysmal audio and having a good Hi-Fi receiver with no HDMI input.
One can use the TV and receiver via HDMI and use the Hi-Fi via optical audio to have better sound.
When I had a TV ten years ago, I always used my TEAC amplifier and Tanoy speakers for audio and a simple TV for watching movies via VHS or DVD.

I have a vizio soundbar that requires optical