In my case, I needed to send two SEPARATE signals from my source components (cable box, DVD, Xbox) to first a video from my source component to the TV and second an audio signal from my source component to my separate sound system (in my case my BOSE Solo).īottom-line, IF your TV HAS an "Audio Out" plug for any of the above audio cables, use that to go to your separate audio component. Both the video and the audio signals are digital. BUT running an HDMI cable from your DVD to the TV transmits a digital signal of BOTH video and audio. Example, if you use a Coaxial Digital Audio Cable from your DVD to your high definition TV, you STILL need to run a separate video cable from the DVD to the TV as well.
There ALWAYS has to be a third cable transmitting the VIDEO signal component to component with the other three choices. Remember, the three other choices presented here, ONLY transmit your AUDIO signal from component to component. High Definition Multimedia Interface Cables Referred to commonly as HDMI cables, this is always your best choice. Basically color coded one red and one white for a two channel "left" and "right" audio connection (if there is a "third" cable for an analog video signal, it is usually color coded yellow). Prior to the high definition and digital world, we all used these for hooking up our stereo components. So if you have tight bends in your path from one component to the other, Optical might not be the answer.Īnalog Audio Cables Analog audio cables, commonly known as RCA, stereo, or composite audio cables. Optical cables use light to transmit the signal. So if your components are 20 feet apart, use Optical. Optical Digital Audio Cables Optical digital audio cables transmit your sophisticated digital audio signal just like Coaxial (above), but can do it over much greater distances than Coaxial, without having to boost the signal. If you are less than 15 feet, don't give it a a second of thought, you are fine!!!
Some sources advertise longer cables constructed for longer distance with no or minimal signal quality loss. Consult your cable source as to what they say for signal quality versus the length of cable distance. Sources say that over distance there is a loss of signal quality. In short, a more sophisticated sound source to "play" your sound, than just simply using the speakers housed inside your TV.Ĭoaxial Digital Audio Cables Coaxial digital audio cables have a good "tight" fit to your source sound component and your playing component. The playing component referred to, could be your stereo speakers, a surround sound system, a home theater amplifier, a sound bar etc. If you spent money to purchase a high definition component to "play" your sound, if at all possible, you want to use one of the three "digital" cabling choices. The older analog audio cables did the same thing, but they use TWO wires and the sound is nowhere close to as sophisticated. Just found one for a gamer for their Wii.ĭigital audio cables are meant to transmit a sophisticated high definition audio signal between your audio source component and a component to "play" the sound into your room. You may need an HDMI adapter/converter for some gaming systems. There also is a 4th (forth) separate HDMI input on the front of the HDMI switcher box unit, that my son uses for his XBox (or you can hook up to any other gaming system). The HDMI switcher box I am using is a Monoprice 5557 pretty cool and not expensive. But ANY separate sound system can be hooked in (a separate Amp/sound bar, whatever) I just turn off or lower the original TV's crummy speakers only using the BOSE for sound. I chose the BOSE unit because I wanted to control our sound volume with a remote. So I have my audio going from the new HDMI switcher box to a separate audio system (could be any receiver/external speakers/home theater/surround sound/whatever).įor sound, I personally hook into a BOSE Solo system using the Digital COAX audio cable. The switcher box I am using, gives you choices of three different types/choices of separate audio outputs to plug into your sound system/sound bar/amplifier/surround sound/BOSE Solo: (2) one separate audio Digital output for TV sound (1) one HDMI output to my new TV for the TV video (3) HDMI from a "Smart" TV internet box (my TV is not a "smart TV" so this box lets me connect my TV to the Internet) So I have three HDMI inputs plugged currently "into" the new HDMI switcher box: To solve the problem of improving the sound quality versus using the original on-board internal Samsung TV speakers, I bought an HDMI switcher box that has three "separate" audio outputs as well as an HDMI output and 4 HDMI inputs. I have a brand new 55" Samsung with ZERO audio outputs (go figure). Might be clearer than my shorter answer above: Below is my more detailed answer for this "Having no audio out function" on your TV question/solution (for future readers.