Optical vs HDMI

[Christian Sunderland]

Hello,

I seem to see lots of posts with people using/recommending optical connection as their choice of connection for a B2 to a receiver.  

I have done some (very basic) internet research into this and most articles recommend HDMI over optical, but the articles are quite old.  (Optical transmits a smaller bandwidth).

Are people just using optical connection because the HDMI is not an option for them or has the bandwidth changed of the last years?

Many thanks in advance!

Christian

[Rearwing]

Hi Christian,

Given that the B2 is limited to Red Book CD quality there is no need or benefit to using anything more esoteric than the optical out.

I hope that this answers your query.

[Christian Sunderland]

Thank you for your reply.  As I am currently using HDMI (as I already had the lead), are you saying there's no benefit getting a optical Toslink to Mini Optical converter, as I will still receive the same bandwidth?

Christian

[Rearwing]

No worries, i am happy to help. I think that it all comes down to what is at hand, both will pass the digital signal at the maximum the B2 can cope with.

[Mark Fishman]

"Optical transmits a smaller bandwidth"??

That's a very broad-brush statement that, taken at face value, is demonstrably false. My Verizon Fios network connection is all optical and all digital, and provides *at least* 200Mbps bi-directional data (because that's all I'm willing to pay for -- they offer higher speeds). CD-quality audio requires approximately 10MB per *minute*, or about 1.3Mbps. To my knowledge, there is no HDMI connection anywhere that is capable of being as fast as an appropriate optical fiber and transceivers.

Before you can make any sensible statements about bandwidth, you really have to know what the requirements are, what equipment is in use, and put numbers to all of it.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Mark, 

I wondered who would pick up on that bold statement :-))

The "marketers" of devices do distort reality so!!

Fred

[Christian Sunderland]

Hi Mark,

When I was saying 'optical transmits a smaller bandwidth', as I was referring to Toslink compared to HDMI, as the best for connecting a Brennan to an receiver/amplifier. - Nothing to do with internet speeds.

This article suggest that HDMI is superior over Toslink, regarding bandwidths.

 Christian

[Christian Sunderland]

https://www.cablematters.com/blog/HDMI/hdmi-arc-vs-optical

[PMB]

Hi Christian,

The internals of the B2 work at the CD Red Book standard of 44.1kHz, 16 bit so the optical output is more than adequate.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Mark Fishman]

I've read through Christian's referenced article, and if you really need (a) video and (b) the audio return channel [ARC], then of course HDMI should be your choice. Toslink and S/P-DIF were designed as purely audio interfaces, for pro and semi-pro audio studio equipment. Game consoles didn't come into the picture (ha).

As Paul says, though, the B2 is a purely audio device, sending (not receiving) 2-channel digital audio at 16/44.1 (CD standard). The referenced article also makes the point that optical fibre is less susceptible to interference and can cope easily with much longer runs than HDMI (which, BTW, has an absurdly small connector and thus very small-gauge wires, hence the practical limit on length). If you wanted to put the B2 further away from your DAC than 15 feet, for example, you'd want the optical connection rather than HDMI.

By all means, use whichever connection you alread have cables and inputs for -- in this application it will make no sonic difference at all.

[Christian Sunderland]

Thank you for all your replies.  Seeing as the HDMI connection is only about 2ft between the Brennan and the receiver, it seems pointless splashing out for a Toslink/Mini Optic connector for no extra-benefit...

Christian