HDMI, optical and quality of HDMI question

[NTAC]

Hi guys,

I picked up the Sony HT 150 over the weekend, and everything is good and all but I have a few questions just to make sure I'm doing everything correctly.

http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/sony-ht-ct150/4505-6740_7-34073592.html

The schematics suggest that I should connect HDMI + Optical but my understanding is that if I use HDMI that I shouldn't also have to connect Optical since HDMI can carry the same audio data and more than Optical can do, is that correct?

My second question involves the quality of the HDMI cable that I should use...

Basically my setup is as follows:

TV -- HDMI -- Sony HT 150
Direct TV DVR --> Sony HT 150
PS3 --> Sony HT 150
360 --> Sony HT 150

This is my intended setup at least, I need to pick up 2 more HDMI cables today on the way home to complete that picture.

Does it matter what quality HDMI cables I'm using?

Also I noticed that my picture is darker when I hooked up my PS3 to the Sony HT 150 and I'm wondering if that is because of the quality of the HDMI cable that I am using, or if it is something else.

Thanks!

 

[joutlaw]

Not familiar with that system, but I would agree that HDMI could be used for all 3 inputs.

It appears to be 1 HDMI out with 3 HDMI in. This would also be beneficial because your TV would stay on one of the HDMI inputs, then the HT150 would be the only item to change when you used the other sound sources.

The only advantage I can think of is the PS3 will require HDMI for the lossless sound codecs like DTS Master HD and Dolby TrueHD. Optical does not have the bandwidth for those codecs.

 

[queequeg99]

1) The HDMI connection should handle the audio as well as video. I don't know why you would implement a duplicative optical connection. Depending on what is being connected, the optical connection would not be able to carry the data (such as the high resolution audio on BDs).

2. I would get any high speed HDMI cable (as opposed to standard speed). Don't go for brand names on the cables as you'll get royally screwed. If you have a Fry's nearby, they might have some cheaper generic cables. Otherwise, if you can wait a few days, check out the cables at monoprice, like this one:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240

My guess is that if you swing by Best Buy, you'll pay an order of magnitude more money for a cable that is no better than the monoprice version.

The quality of the cable wouldn't have the sort of PQ impact you describe. If you have a bad cable, you just don't get any signal at all. It sounds like your AVR is doing something to the signal. One question: did you previously connection your PS3 directly to the TV using HDMI? Or have you now switched from RGB to HDMI because you now have the Sony unit?

 

[NTAC]

1) The HDMI connection should handle the audio as well as video. I don't know why you would implement a duplicative optical connection. Depending on what is being connected, the optical connection would not be able to carry the data (such as the high resolution audio on BDs).

Ok, I think maybe the manual was just showing me the all the options or something.

2. I would get any high speed HDMI cable (as opposed to standard speed). Don't go for brand names on the cables as you'll get royally screwed. If you have a Fry's nearby, they might have some cheaper generic cables. Otherwise, if you can wait a few days, check out the cables at monoprice, like this one:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240

My guess is that if you swing by Best Buy, you'll pay an order of magnitude more money for a cable that is no better than the monoprice version.

Oh for sure, I always use monoprice for cables, I know the best buy ones or whatever are usually like insanely over priced. However I do have a bunch of HDMI cables at work and if I grabbed 2 of them to take home no one would care what so ever, but how do I know if they are high speed HDMI vs normal HDMI?

The quality of the cable wouldn't have the sort of PQ impact you describe. If you have a bad cable, you just don't get any signal at all. It sounds like your AVR is doing something to the signal. One question: did you previously connection your PS3 directly to the TV using HDMI? Or have you now switched from RGB to HDMI because you now have the Sony unit?

OMG I'm retarded Yes, you are correct, I was using component for my PS3 to go directly to the TV, and now I'm going HDMI to the Sony unit and then to the TV. Not sure why that didn't cross my mind

So it sounds as if a difference in picture is expected and I should just re-calibrate things accordingly.

Thanks!

 

[queequeg99]

Oh for sure, I always use monoprice for cables, I know the best buy ones or whatever are usually like insanely over priced. However I do have a bunch of HDMI cables at work and if I grabbed 2 of them to take home no one would care what so ever, but how do I know if they are high speed HDMI vs normal HDMI?



OMG I'm retarded Yes, you are correct, I was using component for my PS3 to go directly to the TV, and now I'm going HDMI to the Sony unit and then to the TV. Not sure why that didn't cross my mind

So it sounds as if a difference in picture is expected and I should just re-calibrate things accordingly.

Thanks!

1) the cable should have something printed right on it indicating whether it is high speed or standard speed. If not, I would just use it anyway. It won't hurt anything. The high speed cables are intended to provide higher data transfer rates (such as is required for 3D, deep color, and some other HDMI 1.4 spec features). But this is mainly a QC issue - if you have a well made standard speed cable, it may very well have adequate transfer capabilities. I would at least try it and see what happens. You should at least be able to view regular stuff (i.e. non-3d material).

2) as for the PS3, it sounds like there is a setting that can be changed for HDMI (i.e. using full color or something similar). I don't have a PS3 but if you google "PS3 hdmi too dark" you find a lot of information.