360,difference between the analog audio and optical

[holden j caufield]

I'm currently playing my 360 using either the 360 HDTV cables or 360 VGA cable through my PC LCD. With both I'm using the standard Red/White RCA audio cables. To me it still sounds good but I've never heard anything over the toslink optical and was wondering how big a difference there was?

 

[Queasy]

The standard red/white will just give you stereo. The optical cable will give you 5.1 surround sound.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: Queasy
The standard red/white will just give your stereo. The optical cable will give you 5.1 surround sound.

truth!
It is a WORLD of difference. That being said, you'll need a receiver/speaker system capable of handling 5.1 audio and an optical input.

 

[Suture]

As Modeps said, it's a huge difference. If you have a receiver with an optical input, by all means, get an optical cable. I recommend monoprice.com -- you could buy like 3 or 4 cables for the price 1 from Best Buy, Radio Shack etc.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Modeps
truth!
It is a WORLD of difference. That being said, you'll need a receiver/speaker system capable of handling 5.1 audio and an optical input.

My receiver can turn stereo into simulated 5.1 and does a very good job. That only affects my PC because I had issues getting the digital output to work properly, but I still use optical on my 360 and PS3.

So in other words, using other technologies to "broaden" the sound, stereo can sound just as nice .

 

[pennylane]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: Modeps
truth!
It is a WORLD of difference. That being said, you'll need a receiver/speaker system capable of handling 5.1 audio and an optical input.

My receiver can turn stereo into simulated 5.1 and does a very good job. That only affects my PC because I had issues getting the digital output to work properly, but I still use optical on my 360 and PS3.

So in other words, using other technologies to "broaden" the sound, stereo can sound just as nice .

While those matrixed surround modes (I assume you have Pro Logic II or something similar) do work pretty well, I've found discrete to always work and sound better.

austin316 brings up a good point,
Do you have a surround sound set-up?

 

[austin316]

if you only have 2 speakers, you really won't hear much, if any difference. If you have a 5.1 setup, prepare to smile alot.

 

[getbush]

5.1 surround is huge in some games. In COD4 you can hear where guys/bullets are coming from/going. I actually notice a difference if I sit way off center so I always sit in the middle. In forza a mid-engined car's engines sounds come at you from the rear - pretty cool. There are more examples but it's great, and a matrix mode like pro logic II can't really compare. It doesn't know where those bullets and engines are like the discreet signal of the 5.1

 

[Oyeve]

Rockband sounds AWESOME in 5.1, Cherub Rock, the drums on center channel are so freaking awesome!