HDMI and Digital Audio Cable Confusion! Help needed!

[admin_exported]

I have my Sony DVD-Recorder (Model HXD750B) hooked up to my Sony Home Cinema (HT-SF1300) via a direct HDMI cable. My Home Cinema output is connected to my Sony KDL 32W4000 HD LCD television input again using HDMI. No problem so far.

My aerial cable comes from the wall socket to the DVD-Recorder and then on to the television, as per he manual.

I understand the HDMI cable carries both picture and sound, so why do I need to make connections for digital audio as well? Precisely which units should be linked with digital audio connections, and should I use digital coaxial cable for this purpose?

Should I connect my television for audio to the Home Cinema unit, and if so, from which output to which input on the amp?

Any sympathetic assistance you can give would certainly help sort out my confusion.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there are others on here that know more but since nobody else has replied I'll have a go...

You are correct that HDMI carries audio and vidoe. Depending on your equipment though, the HDMI might only carry stereo audio for example, where as a digital audio connection may carry the full surround sound. If it is the case that HDMI carries only stereo and your digital audio supports surround sound then swap use it for that reason. If your HDMI supports all the audio you need then leave it at that.

As for your TV, assuming the W4000 has an optical audio output, you could connect that the the home cinema kit to get the sound from your TV to your speakers.

Hope that helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Folks

My Samsung LCD TV has only a audio output which is analog. What is the best way to get the best sound from my TV via my home cinema speakers? Is the only option a RCA anlog cable?

Will a 3 .5 mm jack - 2 RCA analog cable be the only option?

 

[Big Chris]

My Sony LCD only has 2 phono audio outputs. I've run these to my receiver and watch everything in glorious DPL2 or DTS:Neo6.

I never have the TV speakers on.

 

[Anonymous]

That's great Al, and many thanks for your help. The other reply I had was in fact just another question on a related theme.

I wonder if the marketing people at Sony (or any other major company, for that matter) spend any time reading all the questions people have in this forum. Just imagine how much better written and clearer their User Manuals would be if they took the trouble to find out how difficult it can be to understand the complexities of their manuals. They could then write a User Manual with a normal "User" in mind.

That was an aside for nice people like Clare to take up with the gurus.

Back to the question: yes, Al, the HDMI connections do carry all the audio information I need from Sony's latest Home Cinema offering to the television, so they are enough. What I hadn't realised was why I could not get the TV sound to my speakers via the Home-Cinema amplifier. I will now connect a digital coaxial cable from the TV to the input on the Home Cinema amplifier . . . and see what happens!

Thanks again Al.