HDTV Forum

Hi there I got a quick question that hopefully can be answered.

Iam a little confused on the different versions of HDMI and what audio formats they support...Currently Im running a toslink optical from my cable box and dvd player to my reciever because Im not sure if my HDMI is able to support some of my audio options.....So here is my question..What audio formats does HDMI 1.2a support?Does it support Dolbe digital EX or how about Dolby True HD Or DTS HD. Does version 1.3 support these formats? Also can I just drop the optical and know Im getting all of these options through my HDMI...thanks

Hello--

You and practically everyone else getting "accquainted" with all that's involved w/ HDTV is in that same "boat !" Welcome....

First-- HDMI was supposed to 'fix' the digital delivery of BOTH
audio and video between our gear... good intentions.

All HDMI cables mecanically WILL be the same....BUT, somewhere along this new path, the entire equipment "community" seems to have all gone their separate ways of WHICH software versions are within each piece of all the various gear--- and, they also seem to be most unwilling to clearly state what that edition really is !

To make the confusion greater, the multitude of signal receivers - either local cable or satellite - originally would not "send" audio at all, resulting in the Techs needed to use two digital Coaxial Component Cables ( or your TOSLINK) in addition to the HDMI cable in order to make the installation "GO."

Although very "windy", that's a wee background ....the previous
issues or versions of software "should" all work / be compatible....there is no gear currently needing / using the specific .. deep color, etc...intended by a '1.3' software edition, BUT since it exists,the newest HDTVs , etc, are now listing it in the SPECS.

B.T.W.-- TECHS still sometimes need to "try" on site which works-- only HDMI ot it plus those other for audio. So, "welcome" and just consider doing the same... try it !!!
eli whitney

Nuttz565,


Although there is confusion about the subject, the information you need is not.

If you need a complete background there are over 12 articles about HDMI on the articles section of this magazine that provide detail for the questions you have, but to help you on that research, here are the specific answers to your specific questions:

A) Any HDMI version will carry any legacy DD, DTS bit-stream to be decoded by an AV receiver, as you do with Toslink and coax digital cables (DVD-audio and Superaudio are not in your question, check the table on the articles for those).

B) Any HDMI version will carry the new hi-bit audio formats (True-HD, DTS-MA, etc) when decoded by the Hi-def DVD player and internally converted to multichannel PCM, and transported over HDMI as PCM. That certainly expects an AV receiver with HDMI inputs (any version) that could handle PCM.

C) 1.3 is the only version of HDMI that can handle the streaming undecoded soundtrack read by a player from the disc and sent out via HDMI 1.3 for an external AV receiver to decode it, and of course that receiver has to be 1.3 compliant, has to have the protocols to accept that stream, and has to have the decoders of the stream you are sending to it (True-HD, DTS-MA, etc). Players and receivers capable of that are gradually coming to market this year.


Best Regards,

Rodolfo La Maestra

Hello--

Many thanks for both those explanations & the past articles---
most appreciated !!
eli whitney