When it comes to transmitting audio signals, you will mostly either use an optical audio cable or an HDMI cable. Does this mean that you have to select one of the two cables? Or do you have the option of using both at the same time? Using the information in this post, you will be able to determine whether or not you can utilize HDMI cables and optical cables simultaneously.
Typically, HDMI and optical audio cables can be used at the same time if your setup requires it. Both the HDMI and Optical audio cables are high-capacity digital file transfer cables capable of handling large volumes of media files without degrading the quality. Their main difference is that HDMI cables can handle both audio and video files concurrently unlike optical cables.
Whether or not you use HDMI cables and optical audio at the same time will be determined by a lot of factors including the kind of device that you are connecting as well as the features that these devices possess.
The majority of television sets do not include features that allow for the simultaneous use of an HDMI and an optical audio cable. Although you will find that these television sets are equipped with optical audio ports and HDMI ports, you will still be unable to use the two at the same time.
Therefore, what happens if both are connected? Most devices will change the connection to the cable that was connected last. Other televisions, on the other hand, offer a feature in the menu that allows you to select the kind of connections you would like to use. However, using the two at the same time will not be possible.
Alternatively, you will find some television sets with the capabilities of transmitting signals using more than one cable. Such TVs allow you to insert HDMI cables as well as optical cables.
Since the HDMI cable is capable of transmitting video signals too apart from audio signals, the video signals will be transmitted through this HDMI cable while audio signals may be transmitted through HDMI cables.
Remember that not every television has this option; as a result, you may wish to double-check that your television has this capability first. Take into account that not every television is not capable of generating two signals at the same time, and as a result, you must first decide which type of connection you wish to utilize.
When connecting your television to your audio equipment using both HDMI and optical audio cables, you will have to choose which connection you want to utilize for your audio because the TV will not be able to recreate two audio signals from two different cables,
Using HDMI and Optical Audio at the same time
Due to the restrictions that several devices offer, some ways can be used if you want to use HDMI and optical audio cable at the same time. A very popular method is to use a device called an audio extractor. Audio extractors are mostly sold at several shops both online and physically.
The audio extractor works in a way that separates the two connections. Therefore, you will get both sounds as well as video signals with no interference or any effects on video quality. The extractor allows you to obtain audio signals via the optical audio cable while you get the video from HDMI cables.
Therefore in the cases where you would like to connect to two speakers, an audio extractor may come in real handy.
How is optical audio cable different from HDMI?
The main difference between these two is the signals they transmit. HDMI can transmit audio signals as well as video signals in one cable. Optical audio is only able to transmit audio signals and does not transmit video signals.
Conclusion
In many circumstances, using HDMI cables and optical audio connections at the same time is not viable because most devices are not capable of reproducing two separate signals at the same time. Some televisions, on the other hand, are equipped with capabilities that allow you to connect by both HDMI and optical audio connection.
It is possible to receive visual signals with HDMI connections, while the audio signal can be transferred over an HDMI cable using such televisions.
In some circumstances, if your television permits you to send two audio signals at the same time, one cable will be used to transmit audio while the other will be used to broadcast video. As a result, you can utilize the optical cable to convey the audio signal and then insert the HDMI cable to communicate the video signal.
