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Apple TV - Toshlink vs HDMI for audio
- Thread starter bomadian
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A toslink cable carries only audio. HDMI carry's both audio and video.
I have a Toslink cable connected to my stereo system and the HDMI connected to the TV.
I have a Toslink cable connected to my stereo system and the HDMI connected to the TV.
I wouldn't know the difference between quality of audio but a lot of 'experts' prefer to keep audio and video separated. I guess it also comes down to quality of equipment too.
I would use HDMI for sake of simplicity.
I would use HDMI for sake of simplicity.
Digital audio/video confuses me. I always thought it was an 'all or nothing' type situation. The case with rca cables, etc was that with better quality cable you can get a better signal but with digital you either received the signal or you didn't.
Having said that, HDMI and optical audio cables both carry digital signals, right? My understanding is that there should be no difference with either cable but I guess that could be incorrect because I'm not positive.
Having said that, HDMI and optical audio cables both carry digital signals, right? My understanding is that there should be no difference with either cable but I guess that could be incorrect because I'm not positive.
If you have a reasonable system
Toslink is better
HDMI in it's current form has an issue with jitter
jitter over HDMI has been measured as high as 20 X higher than via toslink or spif coax conection (these two are identical)
jitter is caused by clock errors between sourse and recieving device, HDMI currently has no way to sync the two clocks.
High level of jitter has a few effects, a producing a lack of focus and timing to music.
Note the above applies to all devices with HDMI currently, so applies also to DVD and Blu Ray players used for CD replay.
Several companies are working on a addition to the HDMI interface to fix this issue, Pio in particular.
Toslink is better
HDMI in it's current form has an issue with jitter
jitter over HDMI has been measured as high as 20 X higher than via toslink or spif coax conection (these two are identical)
jitter is caused by clock errors between sourse and recieving device, HDMI currently has no way to sync the two clocks.
High level of jitter has a few effects, a producing a lack of focus and timing to music.
Note the above applies to all devices with HDMI currently, so applies also to DVD and Blu Ray players used for CD replay.
Several companies are working on a addition to the HDMI interface to fix this issue, Pio in particular.