HDMI and optical audio are both digital audio interfaces. Digital audio signals may be sent via optical audio cable and HDMI cables. Neither of these methods of transmitting digital signals differs from the other. In terms of the resolution and the formats they can handle, the two are quite different.
HD audio standards like Dolby TrueHD and DTS: HD Master Audio are supported via HDMI, but optical audio does not. Video signals may also be sent using HDMI. Do optical cables override HDMI?
In general, optical audio cables do not override HDMI cables. Typical HDMI cable media setups cannot be overridden by optical wires as optical cords can only transmit audio signals to your devices, whereas HDMI allows you to send both video and audio data to your devices at the same time.
In terms of sound quality, there is no discernible difference between the two options. Optical cables, on the other hand, will not interfere with the sound coming from HDMI inputs. As a result, your choice will rely on your equipment and the compatibility of your system.
Also, Read Recent Related Articles:
HDMI Cables vs. Optical Audio Cables
Even though HDMI and optical audio connections have many similarities, there are a few key distinctions. Listed below are the main distinctions between the two.
Build and Construction: Copper is the most common material used in HDMI cables. Copper is a relatively inexpensive commodity. With this substance, there is a risk of encountering interference. Optical audio cables, on the other hand, are constructed of fiber optics. It’s a hefty price to pay for this substance.
Light signals are sent by fiber optic cables, which are less susceptible to interference since they are shielded. As a result, the transmission will not be disrupted by other light entering the line.
Length of the cables: According to what you want to do with the cables and your preferences, the cable length is critical. There may be instances when you need more wire lengths for a particular room. Longer cables, in general, imply worse signal quality because of the degradation that occurs during transmission.
Hence. Choose a short cable when you’re selecting HDMI or optical audio cables. To ensure optimal picture quality, HDMI cables should not exceed 5 meters in length. The recommended length for optical cables is 10 meters. If you’re planning on utilizing long connections, go for optical ones, since they’re more reliable.
Video: HDMI cables can transfer both video and audio over the same connection. As a result, you won’t need a separate audio or video connection to send your content.
The optical cable, on the other hand, is solely capable of transmitting audio. You’ll need a separate video cable for this. This might raise the overall cost and create more of a tangle of cables to deal with.
Audio: HDMI cables support a wide range of audio formats, including TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS HD High Definition. Optical audio, on the other hand, is limited to 5.1 surround sound. As a result, if you like Blu-ray movies, HDMI is the way to go.
Bandwidth: There is a 96kHz maximum bandwidth for optical audio. The bandwidth of HDMI cables is greater than that of optical audio connections. Because of their high bandwidth support, they can accommodate higher resolution audio and the emergence of new audio formats. HDMI 2.1 supports up to 48 Gbps of bandwidth.
Cost: HDMI is a very solid choice in terms of both cost and ease of use throughout the setup procedure. Due to the audio formats that HDMI is capable of supporting, you will be able to enjoy greater resolution while using it.
However, the kind of cable that you pick will be greatly dependent on your specific needs. If you want high quality, as well as a single connection that can carry both video and audio data, the HDMI cable is the way to go.
Optical cables will also provide you with excellent audio quality. They are excellent if you need cables to connect devices over long distances or if your device does not have an HDMI port.
Conclusion
HDMI is not overridden by optical cables. Optical connections are useful for transmitting audio signals between devices; however, HDMI allows you to transmit both video and audio data between devices at the same time.
In terms of sound, there isn’t much of a difference between the two. As a result, optical connections will not degrade the sound quality of any audio that comes through HDMI inputs.
Your choice, however, will be influenced by the equipment you have available as well as the environment in which your system will operate.
