HDMI ARC vs Optical quality

[angelmf2704]

Hello, I have a Blu Ray player that has an optical audio port. I have a Sony TV with HDMI ARC. So I have two ways to send the audio to my stereo receiver, either HDMI ARC or optical. So I would be using PCM stereo format for the audio, which option would have the best bandwidth or speed to deliver higher quality audio? I have read in the internet about HDMI ARC and optical audio cable bandwith, but it does seem realistic.

 

[bigboss]

HDMI supports HD audio while optical doesn't.

 

[abacus]

If you are just using Stereo PCM there will not be any difference between them. (DSD is also supported over optical as well as HDMI)

If you wish to use the best quality from Blu-ray or above you will need to use HDMI and set it to output Bitstream. (The receiver also needs to be set to bitstream)

Bill

 

[manicm]

The best is HDMI - if only for convenience as you can then use your TV remote to control volume etc.