Connecting TV without optical audio out to reciever?

[jungy4]

I am looking at a Samsung 60" TV but this model does not have an optical audio out. If I run an HDMI cable from the DirectTV receiver to home theater reciever and then to TV, will I get the sound coming out of the home theater speakers?

Thanks for putting up with this newb question.

 

[ssddx]

yes. in fact this would be preferred over routing to the tv and using optical back since optical is not capable of supporting uncompressed audio that may be found on some blueray disks but does support compressed dolby audio.

the receiver will split off the sound to your home theater and the video will pass through to your tv.

you may not be able to use your home theater system if you use your tv tuner for local channels though.

 

[gregates]

I have a brand new Samsung 55" with ZERO audio out ports. I solved it with an 4 x 1 HDMI switcher box that has a SEPARATE audio out feature (either digital coax/digital optical/or red/white analog outputs).

So I have three HDMI inputs (1) cable box (2) DVD (3) "smart TV" Sony box. And there is still an extra HDMI input on the front panel for my son's XBox. I use the HDMI output to got to my TV. I use a digital coax to go to my Bose sound system. The switcher box in a Monoprice 5557. Here is a link if you want to see it. It works great!

http/www.monoprice.com/Product/?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557

 

[gregates]

This image should help

 

[gregates]

Below is my more detailed answer for this "Having no audio out function" on your TV question/solution (for future readers. Might be clearer than my shorter answer above:
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I have a brand new 55" Samsung with ZERO audio outputs (go figure). My 55" Samsung is a model UN55FH6003F

To solve the problem of improving the sound quality versus using the original on-board internal Samsung TV speakers, I bought an HDMI switcher box that has three "separate" audio outputs as well as an HDMI output and 4 HDMI inputs..

So I have three HDMI inputs plugged currently "into" the new HDMI switcher box:
(1) HDMI from my cable box
(2) HDMI from my dvd
(3) HDMI from a "Smart" TV internet box (my TV is not a "smart TV" so this box lets me connect my TV to the Internet)


Then "from" the HDMI switcher box
(1) one HDMI output to my new TV for the TV video
(2) one separate audio Digital output for TV sound


The switcher box I am using, gives you choices of three different types/choices of separate audio outputs to plug into your sound system/sound bar/amplifier/surround sound/BOSE Solo:
(a) digital coax audio
(b) digital optical audio
(c) older analog red/white RCA audio

So I have my audio going from the new HDMI switcher box to a separate audio system (could be any receiver/external speakers/home theater/surround sound/whatever).

For sound, I personally hook into a BOSE Solo system using the Digital COAX audio cable. I chose the BOSE unit because I wanted to control our sound volume with a remote. I just turn off or lower the original TV's crummy speakers only using the BOSE for sound. But ANY separate sound system can be hooked in (a separate Amp/sound bar, whatever)

The HDMI switcher box I am using is a Monoprice 5557 pretty cool and not expensive.
http/www.monoprice.com/Product/?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557

GAMERS you will like this!
There also is a 4th (forth) separate HDMI input on the front of the HDMI switcher box unit, that my son uses for his XBox (or you can hook up to any other gaming system). You may need an HDMI adapter/converter for some gaming systems. Our XBox HAS an HDMI "out" function. Adapter/converters are out there. Just found one for a gamer for their Wii.

Hope this helps!

 

[gregates]

Your Audio Signal Cable Choices

Digital versus Analog
Digital audio cables are meant to transmit a sophisticated high definition audio signal between your audio source component and a component to "play" the sound into your room. The older analog audio cables did the same thing, but they use TWO wires and the sound is nowhere close to as sophisticated. If you spent money to purchase a high definition component to "play" your sound, if at all possible, you want to use one of the three "digital" cabling choices.

The playing component referred to, could be your stereo speakers, a surround sound system, a home theater amplifier, a sound bar etc,. In short, a more sophisticated sound source to "play" your sound, than just simply using the speakers housed inside your TV.

Coaxial Digital Audio Cables Coaxial digital audio cables have a good "tight" fit to your source sound component and your playing component. Sources say that over distance there is a loss of signal quality. Consult your cable source as to what they say for signal quality versus the length of cable distance. Some sources advertise longer cables constructed for longer distance with no or minimal signal quality loss. If you are less than 15 feet, don't give it a a second of thought, you are fine!!!

Optical Digital Audio Cables Optical digital audio cables transmit your sophisticated digital audio signal just like Coaxial (above), but can do it over much greater distances than Coaxial, without having to boost the signal. So if your components are 20 feet apart, use Optical. But, there are limitations. Optical cables use light to transmit the signal. So if you have tight bends in your path from one component to the other, Optical might not be the answer.

Analog Audio Cables Analog audio cables, commonly known as RCA, stereo, or composite audio cables. Prior to the high definition and digital world, we all used these for hooking up our stereo components. Basically color coded one red and one white for a two channel "left" and "right" audio connection (if there is a "third" cable for an analog video signal, it is usually color coded yellow).

High Definition Multimedia Interface Cables Referred to commonly as HDMI cables, this is always your best choice. Remember, the three other choices presented here, ONLY transmit your AUDIO signal from component to component. There ALWAYS has to be a third cable transmitting the VIDEO signal component to component with the other three choices. Example, if you use a Coaxial Digital Audio Cable from your DVD to your high definition TV, you STILL need to run a separate video cable from the DVD to the TV as well. BUT running an HDMI cable from your DVD to the TV transmits a digital signal of BOTH video and audio. You use one cable instead of two. Both the video and the audio signals are digital.


Why I had to use the HDMI switcher box
In my case, I needed to send two SEPARATE signals from my source components (cable box, DVD, Xbox) to [1] first a video from my source component to the TV and [2] second an audio signal from my source component to my separate sound system (in my case my BOSE Solo).

Bottom-line, IF your TV HAS an "Audio Out" plug for any of the above audio cables, use that to go to your separate audio component. Otherwise, my solution detailed above works absolutely great.

Enjoy!