The answer to this question is important if you are considering purchasing an optical audio device or have already purchased a device that supports optical audio. If you have a question about whether optical audio allows volume control, the answer is important to know. So, does optical audio support volume control?
Optical audio, in general, does not support volume control. The audio signal in an optical cable is a digital light, and lowering the glow does not lower the volume. The digital optical signal must first be decoded to an analog signal, and the circuit used must also include a logarithmic resistance control for volume control.
Overall, Volume control through an optical audio connection is not possible with optical audio. Behind one thing, it is difficult and expensive to deliver an audio signal across optical wires, which is the reason for this.
To communicate between two separate devices, the optical cable can only transmit a signal, either digitized or packed. Volume modulation will only be possible at the receiving end, which may be an audio amplifier or any other device that receives the signal.
It is possible to transmit the signal and have a possibly large number of amplifiers and/or television sets see similar or slightly separate channels at varying levels to fit their preferences and the responsiveness of the amplifier devices they are using.
What is an Optical Audio Cable
Transmission of high-quality audio data across devices is made possible via the use of optical audio cables. Signals are sent in digitally using this device. When it comes to delivering audio signals, you have a plethora of alternatives from which to pick. One of them is optical audio.
An optical cable is a kind of cable that may be used to link two devices. For this to operate, one of the devices must have an optical connector, which is often found on the receiver, such as your television set.
The other device must have an optical output; this should be the receiving device, such as your amplifier, in this case. The majority of optical interfaces will be equipped with a cover that serves to protect the hole through which the optical cable is inserted.
What is the reason behind the inability to control the volume?
Optical audio sends information signals that are encoded in a digital format ad the signal amplitude is also encoded in the same format.
The end of the cables give greater audio output, however, this does not result in larger volumes at the end.
The volume of the optical audio is delivered to the decoder within the code that the receiver gets at the other end, therefore, the signals can be decoded by the receiver and they will be able to reassemble the decoded signal into an analog signal through the use of the decoded as well as commanded amplitudes.
Once an optically encoded signal is sent across a fiber-optic connection to the audio processing unit, you may adjust the volume if you have a device that is capable of delivering such signals.
That’s how they intended it to work. Devices that operate only on digital impulses only do whatever the digital signals instruct them to do. Analog input that is not encoded can never be used to interfere with a digitally controlled system.
How does one adjust the volume of an optical signal?
The optical output of the Television set is at a stable value, thus it cannot be controlled via the television remote. You must utilize an HTS remote control to turn the volume up or down. Using a universal remote can enable you to use a single controller to manage both your television and your home theater system.
Conclusion
As a general rule, optical audio does not support volume control. The audio signal in an optical cable is a digital light, and reducing the glow does not reduce the volume. The digital optical signal must first be decoded to an analog one, and the circuit used must also include a logarithmic resistance control for volume control.
Controlling volume is not usually the case, optical cables do not support volume control. Even though volume control won’t be possible over an optical audio line, it will be possible at the receiving end of the wire. Optical cables are used to transfer laser beams in a digital format. Light pulse always is adjusted to its highest luminosity to optimize the signal-noise ratio of light pulses.
Using the intensity of light to regulate the loudness of stereo amplifiers, for example, when the volume is reduced to less than 5 percent, the signal starts becoming muddy, which is extremely inconvenient.
All that is required is the use of clever devices on either end, one that broadcasts volume signals there at the transmitter and another that decodes the signals and adjusts the amplification level at the receiver.