Using an OPTICAL CABLE in 2022 (and why YOU might WANT TO)

Ғылым және технология

Have you ever ran into delay issues using ARC with your gaming consoles and display? In this video, I'll describe an issue I faced recently and how an optical/toslink cable came in to save the day!
Enjoy the video? Let me know in the comment section, and hey, why not subscribe? It's free!
Sources/articles link in the video:
VRR Update: / 1
VRR framerate post: www.aroged.com/2022/02/12/dyi...
What is VRR?: www.techradar.com/news/what-i...
HDMI 2.1 VRR requirement: www.pcworld.com/article/39498...
No delay issues Reddit thread: / arc_audio_delays_c8
Optical audio limitations: www.whathifi.com/us/advice/co...
List of 4K/120 games: www.windowscentral.com/list-x...
PS5 VRR support update: www.techradar.com/news/ps5-vr...
Calibration tools worth considering:
VLIKE SPL Meter: amzn.to/34iKve3
UMIK-1 Measurement Mic: amzn.to/3qs8noy
miniDSP 2X4 HD: amzn.to/2XOiUym
Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark (Blu-ray): amzn.to/3oQ5Q8h
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics (Blu-ray): amzn.to/3fouWIo
Disney Wow: World of Wonder (Blu-ray): amzn.to/34llKhi
SVS Subwoofers
SVS SB-1000: www.anrdoezrs.net/click-10019...
SVS PB-1000: www.anrdoezrs.net/click-10019...
SVS PB-2000 Pro: www.kqzyfj.com/click-10019916...
SVS SB-2000 Pro: www.tkqlhce.com/click-1001991...
SVS SB-3000: www.jdoqocy.com/click-1001991...
SVS 3000 Micro: www.tkqlhce.com/click-1001991...
SVS SB16 Ultra: www.anrdoezrs.net/click-10019...
(Above are affiliate links. As an SVS affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases)
My Home Theater
Vizio P85QX-H1 85-inch 4K TV: amzn.to/2OFzek0
Denon X2300W Receiver: amzn.to/2CuemWI
PS5: (basically won the lottery)
Nintendo Switch: amzn.to/30olzj2
LG UP970 UHD Player: amzn.to/2CuvDix
Apple 4K TV
NVIDIA Shield Pro (2019): amzn.to/3mzML9d
miniDSP 2X4 HD: amzn.to/2XOiUym
UMIK-1 Measurement Mic: amzn.to/3qs8noy
Pioneer SP-FS52 Floorstanding Speakers: amzn.to/3jpREzs
Pioneer SP-C22 Center Speaker: amzn.to/32zytgQ
Pioneer SP-BS22 Speaker Pair (L/R surround): amzn.to/3fM5ryl
Polk OWM3 Speaker Pair (ceiling mounted Atmos): amzn.to/3fMwBFk
Dual SVS PB-2000 Pro Subwoofers: www.anrdoezrs.net/click-10019...
SVS PB10-ISD Subwoofer (linked to PB-1000 Pro):
My Gaming/Editing PC
MSI B450 Tomahawk: amzn.to/3hjYrJu
Ryzen 9 3900XT: amzn.to/38A01FV
Corsair Vengeance RAM (4x8GB): amzn.to/32BC2TJ
NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super: amzn.to/2ClnbCj
Crucial P1 500GB NVMe: amzn.to/30yxyui
Sandisk Ultra 1TB SSD (x2): amzn.to/3hjm4lo
Seagate Barrucuda 2TB Drive: amzn.to/2DVokAI
Seasonic GX-750 PSU: amzn.to/30t0sfB
Phanteks P400A Case: amzn.to/2Wy6MRN
Corsair H115i Elite Capellix AIO: amzn.to/3pqUZAN
RGB Strip Lights: amzn.to/39egZrz
Corsair K55 Keyboard: amzn.to/3eKxaya
Corsair Harpoon Mouse: amzn.to/30rtbkV
HyperX Cloud Alpha S Gaming Headphones: amzn.to/3buDOut
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen): amzn.to/3jpGL0A
Audio Technica M40X Headphones: amzn.to/3fOz6qz
PreSonus Eris E3.5 Studio Monitors: amzn.to/30sVOyb
Audio Technica AT2020 Condensor Microphone: amzn.to/30xUn1v
BenQ EX2780Q Monitor: amzn.to/2BfBW90
BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710 Monitor: amzn.to/32YcTCs
AOC 27G2 Monitor: amzn.to/2CuL7TI
*Disclaimer: Brad (Home Theater Gamer) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.amazon.com.
TIMESTAMPS
Optical cables are still useful... - 00:00
Explaining my issue - 00:18
VRR can be game-changing! - 00:45
Facing HDMI issues - 01:10
Initial HDMI wiring plan using ARC - 01:27
ARC is fine when streaming using TV apps - 01:40
The delay issue using ARC with a gaming console - 01:48
To the Google! - 02:03
Troubleshooting audio delay issue - 02:17
A simple fix, but you lose surround sound - 02:41
Trying out an optical cable and IT JUST WORKED - 02:55
Works with PS5 too! - 03:17
I can't hear a difference in audio quality - 03:26
Why SHOULD you consider using optical? - 03:40
Not everyone has or notices this issue - 04:13
What's the downside? - 04:40
It's a compromise... - 05:01
When should you NOT use optical? - 05:17
Maybe look into a SHARC device? - 05:26

Пікірлер: 52

  • @theeverydaydriver406
    @theeverydaydriver4062 жыл бұрын

    As someone who still runs an older home theater system (2009; Sony), optical or Coax has been a saving grace compared to 3.5mm to RCA from my TV to receiver.

  • @springchickena1

    @springchickena1

    6 ай бұрын

    you're going to be so impressed with innovations of last 5 years with dolby audio if you upgrade this year or next. and of course oled tv with a fire stick is a world of itself with how nice smart tv has become. I ran old (expensive) equipment but im blown away with what we're playing with in 2023.

  • @Youthman
    @Youthman2 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video Brad. Absolutely love all of the visual elements you add another level to your production quality.

  • @Youthman
    @Youthman2 жыл бұрын

    Oh and a HUGE CONGRATS on hitting 10K!

  • @welderfixer
    @welderfixer2 жыл бұрын

    Brad, Thanks for another flawless video both in audio and visual quality. Your attention to information and graphics detail makes you one of the best on KZread! Since I'm rather new to the AV hobby I think it would be great and helpful to many others if you could help us out with a detailed explaination of the AV cables, audio formats(PCM vs bitstream, etc...), video formats and their best uses and settings. Thanks again and please have a great safe day, Kevin

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Kevin Gardner that is a really fantastic idea! All this stuff can be so overwhelming that a video explaining the basics of cables, audio and video formats would be super helpful. I'm on it!

  • @welderfixer

    @welderfixer

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@HomeTheaterGamer Thanks much. This old fella could use the info.

  • @ryaneckel5601
    @ryaneckel56012 жыл бұрын

    Question for you Brad. I just ordered a minidsp 2x4 hd and have been rewatching you and home theater gurus videos on it but when I run audyssey after I have my three subs time aligned, gain/level matched and eq’d, won’t audyssey screw up what I just did with the minidsp?

  • @welderfixer
    @welderfixer2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for all of you efforts!

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Kevin Gardner oh my gosh, thank you so much! You're too kind and both Trish and I really appreciate you sticking with us. You have no idea what it means to us.

  • @gamegenieny581
    @gamegenieny5812 жыл бұрын

    that was the issue. the codecs. hence why it only showed stereo uncompressed. I couldn't remember why I had that issue with that 2300. Loved that AVR. But since I upgraded to the 4700 I set everything to 5.1 uncompressed and use the Auro 3D upmixer. Its amazing and I hope sometime you'll be able to give it a try. I have to say I'm appreciative of what you do here on your channel, and its why I always check to see what you've posted. You find a way to make everything work, regardless of set up and we need more of that ! Not just what a 30K system sounds like, but what any system can do with a little love and time. Keep doing what you're doing Brad, its more helpful to more people than you realize. Thanks.

  • @user-yz6rw3si3e
    @user-yz6rw3si3e7 ай бұрын

    Sometimes I've wondered why optical S/Pdif was never updated, since the technology it's based on could have *potentially* been improved upon. But then again, it's a relatively simpler and "dumber" connection compared to technologies like eARC. It either works or it doesn't. Sometimes I find myself using it especially with external DACs supporting optical input that go all the way up to 24bit/192Khz stereo for Hi-Res music and on surround systems for DTS/Dolby 5.1 surround sound for movies. Unless you have an extremely good speaker system, or perhaps want uncompressed/Dolby Atmos playback, once you are engrossed in a movie, you'd be hard pressed to critically register the quality of a momentary sound effect on the rear speaker, for example, with so many things going on at once on a decent home theatre system. Not to mention surround sound effects have recently become more nuanced and less gimmicky in films these days.

  • @ealanosborne
    @ealanosborne2 жыл бұрын

    Steppin' up your production quality, dude! I like it! :D

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Ealan! Always trying to kick it up a notch.

  • @matthewschmidt6867
    @matthewschmidt68672 жыл бұрын

    I had very similar issues with audio delay trying to run a series x into my LG CX and ARC out to an older Denon receiver. I ended up getting an HDFury Vrroom to solve it, which not only let me keep full uncompressed 7.1 audio, but also act as a matrix switch to another HDMI 2.1 display in the next room. It's pricey, but it's a lot less expensive than replacing the entire receiver which is otherwise perfectly fine.

  • @ChesterMan-qd3xj
    @ChesterMan-qd3xj2 жыл бұрын

    How are you liking your 85PQX by now? PQ still amazes me, but firmware is definitely buggy. You’re not missing much with EARC, Vizio broke it with an update last fall, and after the latest update it’s just ok. Was tempted to go back to optical as well. Wish they could update this connection with more bandwidth - such a reliable connection. Dolby Surround up-mixer on my Denon does a fantastic job that I don’t really miss Atmos when it’s not available, so optical would be fine. Granted, I’m running a 5.1 setup with height virtulization, but that continues to blow me away for what it is. One thing I would consider rather than the EARC adapter is just buy a standalone Blu-ray player and plug directly into your receiver. You get uncompressed audio this way, and Dolby Vision movies bypassing your XSX or PS5 as a movie player.

  • @lowercasestephen7080
    @lowercasestephen7080 Жыл бұрын

    I have ran into the exact same issue and I am considering using optical. One downside that is not mentioned in the video is that with optical you don't get any of the HDMI CEC features like audio control with your tv remote or the AVR UI appearing on the TV. This is only an issue for me as there are no decent alternatives to the now discontinued harmony remotes.

  • @Iddqd_84
    @Iddqd_84 Жыл бұрын

    I'm trying to figure out if it's worth connecting my Bose TV speaker soundbar via the monitors Optical Audio or not - I have no experience with this in terms of sound quality. Just wondering if it will be worse compared to my PC's Optical Audio? The reason I ask, is because I'm about to order a new motherboard .. And there is a massive price difference between the ones with Optical Audio and the ones without. I'm planning to buy the LG 27GR95QE-B ..

  • @ryaneckel5601
    @ryaneckel56012 жыл бұрын

    Hey Brad, is it ok if I email you or talk on the phone? I have questions about minidsp hd and yes I have watched all your videos on it and keep rewatching them. I just got minidsp hd last this past Thursday and played with it all day yesterday and got really nice response/housecurve with it but today I wanted to play with it some more and make tweaks. I know it may sound like a strange request but it’s to much to type out with the questions. Thx and hopefully I’ll hear from you

  • @eriklindahl7376
    @eriklindahl73762 жыл бұрын

    ARC over HDMI was super-flacky for me going to a UHD-screen but sticking with an HD-reciver. I gave up on it. Never did try your optical out trick though. What has saved me in the past with optical is removing ground-loop issues. I had an ancient electrical setup in my old apartment which caused ground-loop-hum. Going all optical solved it.

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Erik Lindahl thanks for commenting and watching! That is good to know about ground loop issues. I’ll keep that tip in mind if I ever run into that.

  • @birdsoup777
    @birdsoup777Ай бұрын

    I have and still experience problems with ARC 2.0 and eARC. Currently LG G2 and Denon Receiver, both hdmi 2.1. Working perfectly for a while till yesterday and audio stopped working via eARC. Made sure it wasn't a bad cable. Turning the tv and receiver off and on usually works. Reset to factory default on both didn't work. Unplugged both from power outlet. Came back 1 hour later. Turned everything back on and it worked. I never had issues till i went from optical to hdmi arc

  • @SqueamishPuppet
    @SqueamishPuppet2 жыл бұрын

    I had a similar issue with movies being almost a second or two off. I endedd up having to set a 180ms delay for 24p content. I think you ought to play around with adding a delay on your arc. For example, 180ms or more might fix your problem.

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    2 жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately, the issue is there already is a delay, and adding any additional delay only made it worse.

  • @harisadu8998
    @harisadu8998 Жыл бұрын

    Hey man, I have an LG C2 but I have an old Sony theatre system from 14 years ago. I have an AV receiver called the STR-KS2000 and it has HDMI but it doesn't say ARC. It also has two optical in ports called SAT and Video 1. I want to hopefully not toss out my old speaker system. So which optical port can I use?

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    Жыл бұрын

    It honestly shouldn't matter. Either one should work. You may also be able to assign the optical port to any of the inputs, so you can customize one if need be.

  • @harisadu8998

    @harisadu8998

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@HomeTheaterGamer I was able to get it to work with optical cables not HDMI. Plugged it into the Video 1 optical port. Very happy that I didn't have to junk my old system and buy a new one.

  • @vincentlamarche5218
    @vincentlamarche5218 Жыл бұрын

    Seem issue with gaming on pc, the audio delay thru my lg Cx then sonos arc are around 200ms and i dont find any device that do audio split with 4k 120hz... Like the Hdfury does only 4k 60hz.... If you find a product, lets us know !

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    Жыл бұрын

    What graphics card are you using? The way I do it for PC is HDMI out direct to the TV, and then I also bought a cheap DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter on Amazon and essentially use the DisplayPort output to send HDMI audio to my receiver. I’ve never had an issue with audio latency on PC since I did this. I get 4K/120Hz and VRR with no audio latency. Pretty awesome.

  • @michaelwyckoff7593
    @michaelwyckoff75932 жыл бұрын

    I use one on a Samsung sound bar that doesn't have HDMI ports. It's one of their first sound bars. But it's okay for me because it's hooked up to my living room TV that I don't watch as much as my bedroom TV. It's better than nothing but HDMI is better when it's works probably.

  • @gorkman5697
    @gorkman56974 ай бұрын

    I need help please .I have samsung hw-q990b sound bar and vestel tv .My tv doesnt have atmos optıon.so far I connected wıth Hdmı .my tv and sound bar has arc Which one is better .I didnt try optic cable yet,İs optic cable better.will ı get atmos sound.I dont even know how atmos sounds like And on tv which options I should enable .They mantion about the passthrough or Pcm when ı watched on other videos I will appriacte if you can help me ,Sorry my english is not good , Thank you

  • @KrisCortez
    @KrisCortez2 жыл бұрын

    How did you use an optical cable with the Series X? To my knowledge, the console doesn't have an optical out port.

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sorry if that wasn’t clear. HDMI from the Series X to the TV, then optical out from the TV to the receiver.

  • @michaelanderson3703

    @michaelanderson3703

    2 жыл бұрын

    Same thing I did

  • @michaelanderson3703

    @michaelanderson3703

    2 жыл бұрын

    Works so good

  • @michaelanderson3703

    @michaelanderson3703

    2 жыл бұрын

    Got a rocket fish optical cable really thick one

  • @jeffjefferson7384
    @jeffjefferson7384 Жыл бұрын

    DTS 5.1 at 1.5mbps is honestly still really good. After all most new streaming movies have Dolby Atmos maxed out at 768kbps!

  • @nichin79
    @nichin792 жыл бұрын

    Good video, but unless i have missed some changes for optical cables, it doesn't have enough bandwidth to support 7.1. So if you have 7.1 speaker setup you probably wont get it via optical.

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    2 жыл бұрын

    You are correct. Optical is still limited to only 5.1 when using lossy codecs. You’d have to upmix the audio using your receiver to fill out those two rear channels. Again, a compromise would have to be made here depending on your equipment and what you’re trying to do. Thanks for pointing that out though as I didn’t mention that in the video.

  • @ZacharyNoah
    @ZacharyNoah Жыл бұрын

    My family has a decade-old Samsung Plasma TV that doesn't support ARC or eARC, and with my TCL Alto 8+ Dolby Atmos 3.1.2 sound bar, an Optical cable is the only good option for outputting the audio from the TV to the sound bar.

  • @michaelwyckoff7593
    @michaelwyckoff75932 жыл бұрын

    Yes there can be problems with HDMI if there is handshake issues.

  • @elise10lies84
    @elise10lies84 Жыл бұрын

    Great T shirt😊

  • @HomeTheaterGamer

    @HomeTheaterGamer

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @darkdeath174
    @darkdeath17411 ай бұрын

    Xbox and Samsung TVs have the delay with optical, it's been driving me crazy. I've been looking for an audio extractor that isn't crazy priced and out in Canada. Sharc isn't and Orei is, but no one is talking about it for the Series X. I hate being in weird use cases for stuff like this. I just wish the Series X had an optical out like the One X.

  • @michaelanderson3703

    @michaelanderson3703

    8 ай бұрын

    I got a Samsung tv and a series x and you have to go into the tv settings for audio and you can tune the latency I set mine to Dolby digital and the latency setting to the number 50 and it’s so perfect

  • @michaelanderson3703

    @michaelanderson3703

    8 ай бұрын

    But my Samsung tv was 1300$ new and has so many settings features yours might not have mine is also 120hz

  • @michaelanderson3703

    @michaelanderson3703

    8 ай бұрын

    I’m also useing a rocket fish premium optical super thick cable

  • @michaelanderson3703

    @michaelanderson3703

    8 ай бұрын

    My receiver is a Yamaha rx-v659

  • @CLANK10
    @CLANK102 жыл бұрын

    On aliexpress I bought a perfect and much cheaper earc atmos hdmi splitter.

  • @rayn1ful
    @rayn1ful2 жыл бұрын

    im starting to think the cable companies are in business to make a profit.

  • @SmrGaming-ry3if
    @SmrGaming-ry3if Жыл бұрын

    I love you

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