Home Theater Forum - View Single Post - Can hdmi video and optical audio output of cable box/receiver work simutaneously?

Jeff Gatie · 05-05-2008, 08:06 AM

I think the OP wants to use HDMI for video and optical for audio, but is trying to use the optical out on the TV, which is a no no. Every HDTV I've ever seen limits the optical out to DD 5.1 only via the internal ATSC tuner ("the most common cable/antenna plug" mentioned above). There is no pass thru of DD 5.1 from the HDMI or any other inputs, the most you will get is 2.0 PCM. This is a limitation on all HDTV's I've seen, not just the Visio.

Tommy, use the optical out on the cable box to get DD to the receiver and the HDMI out to get video to the TV. That is the proper way to connect a cable box to a HT system with no HDMI on the receiver. Unless you are using the internal tuner on the TV, the TV's optical out is useless.

05-05-2008, 08:06 AM	#4 of 9
Jeff Gatie Member Location: Mass Join Date: Aug 2002 Local Time: 02:09 AM Local Date: 09-08-2008 Posts: 5,374	Re: Can hdmi video and optical audio output of cable box/receiver work simutaneously? I think the OP wants to use HDMI for video and optical for audio, but is trying to use the optical out on the TV, which is a no no. Every HDTV I've ever seen limits the optical out to DD 5.1 only via the internal ATSC tuner ("the most common cable/antenna plug" mentioned above). There is no pass thru of DD 5.1 from the HDMI or any other inputs, the most you will get is 2.0 PCM. This is a limitation on all HDTV's I've seen, not just the Visio. Tommy, use the optical out on the cable box to get DD to the receiver and the HDMI out to get video to the TV. That is the proper way to connect a cable box to a HT system with no HDMI on the receiver. Unless you are using the internal tuner on the TV, the TV's optical out is useless.