No matter whether you use an audio-video system for entertainment or
for work, you would want it to produce top quality sound. This is
possible only when you use the right kind of connection between the
multimedia playing device and the speakers. At present, there are two
main options - optical fibre and HDMI cable. Use this comparison of the
two options to make the right decision.
The Difference
The
optical fibre cable consists of numerous glass fibres or strands which
are extremely thin. Light optical signal travels through the strands.
The HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) cable, on the other
hand, uses copper wire to transmit electrical signal. Both types of
hardware can work with modern devices even though they have different
construction and use different technology.
Signal Quality
There
are two advantages which the optical fibre technology has to offer when
it comes to audio signal quality. Firstly, you can expect better sound
clarity. This is because there is no signal interference between the
different glass strands. Each strand transmits light signal without
affecting the neighbouring strands in any way. Copper wires, on the
other hand, are more likely to create interference, even though the risk
is lowered with the modern HDMI technology.
The other advantage
of the optical cable is that there is lower signal loss. Less of the
signal is lost so you will enjoy better sound quality in every respect.
You will not have to turn the volume up. You will not hear strange
sounds.
These two natural advantages of the third option lead to
an important third advantage. You are able to use a longer optical cable
for connecting the multimedia playing device to the speakers. This
gives you greater flexibility especially when it comes to large
multimedia systems set in home theatres and conference rooms.
When
it comes to convenience, the HDMI cable has one major advantage over
its counterpart. It can transmit both audio and video signal. This means
that you can use just one piece of hardware for both. If you go for the
other option, you will need a separate cable for video output.
Supported Audio Formats
Both
types of cables support multiple-channel formats such as Dolby Digital.
You can readily use them with 5.1 surround sound systems. However, only
HDMI cables can support the latest audio formats used by Blu-ray which
are Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. If you are a dedicated movie
fan, this hardware option may be the right one for you.
Overall, it is up to you to decide whether to use the optical fibre or
