Jump to content

Is optical a viable option?

spwath
By spwath
in Audio
 Share
Posted

Optical output for surround, is it a viable option for gaming?

 

I heard it did not have much support for games, but I also heard there was an easy way around it.

 

I dont really need it, as im using the standard analouge out now, but it would be more ideal to use digital, like optical.

 

 

Ideas?

 

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/451776-is-optical-a-viable-option/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Optical output for surround, is it a viable option for gaming?

 

I heard it did not have much support for games, but I also heard there was an easy way around it.

 

I dont really need it, as im using the standard analouge out now, but it would be more ideal to use digital, like optical.

 

 

Ideas?

 

If all you need is an optical cable, they are $5 on amazon...just try it. But here's my 2c:

 

Digital is no better than analog. Its just how it's transmitted. 

My experience with optical on my system has been lag, because the signal is needing to be decoded after being encoded - on movies and such its no big deal, but i noticed alot on games. This depends on the sound card, receiver, drivers, etc

 

If you are starting fresh and buying equipment....I'd say look into HDMI instead. 

D3SL91 | Ethan | Gaming+Work System | NAS System | Photo: Nikon D750 + D5200

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

If all you need is an optical cable, they are $5 on amazon...just try it. But here's my 2c:

 

Digital is no better than analog. Its just how it's transmitted. 

My experience with optical on my system has been lag, because the signal is needing to be decoded after being encoded - on movies and such its no big deal, but i noticed alot on games. 

 

If you are starting fresh... I'd say look into HDMI instead. 

MB doesnt have optical out, id need a soundcard.

 

Well, the problem is, my receiver does dolby stuff only with digital, so i cant get some fetures, like callibration, with analouge.

 

HDMI.

 

I am frusterated/given up on HDMI

 

My first receiver didint have any surround

 

My second, the HDMI was so anoyingly anoying and had problems.

 

My current receiver, the HDMI is broken on it

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

MB doesnt have optical out, id need a soundcard.

 

Well, the problem is, my receiver does dolby stuff only with digital, so i cant get some fetures, like callibration, with analouge.

 

HDMI.

 

I am frusterated/given up on HDMI

 

My first receiver didint have any surround

 

My second, the HDMI was so anoyingly anoying and had problems.

 

My current receiver, the HDMI is broken on it

That sucks. 

 

I actually bought my receiver for the purpose of HDMI audio. Was a $130 one on Woot. Computer > Hdmi to Reciever > Hdmi to monitor. I could not get it to work without the accompanying video signal. Game support was also better with HDMI versus optical. Of course, now all of it is a bit better as more games are supporting surround in general. 

D3SL91 | Ethan | Gaming+Work System | NAS System | Photo: Nikon D750 + D5200

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

That sucks. 

 

I actually bought my receiver for the purpose of HDMI audio. Was a $130 one on Woot. Computer > Hdmi to Reciever > Hdmi to monitor. I could not get it to work without the accompanying video signal. Game support was also better with HDMI versus optical. Of course, now all of it is a bit better as more games are supporting surround in general. 

With my previouse receiver when i did computer- receiver- monitor

 

I could only get stereo, unless i did a factory reset on receiver.

 

and, i couldent use my DVI monitor on my GPU for some reason.

 

 

My current receiver I like, and it has analouge inputs, its really nice, an Onkyo TX-SR606, and i got it for 15$ on craigslist.

 

Aparently, i can fix the HDMI, and i might do that.

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Not sure if I should repair the HDMI or buy a soundcard and use optical.

 

Hmm....

 

 

I use optical with my Astro's for both xbox and pc, never had a problem.

But thats not surround 

 

on another note, we have the same computer case

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

The problem with optical is that it doesn't have the bandwidth necessary to carry uncompressed 6+ channel audio IIRC. You would need a sound card capable of doing Dolby Digital Live compression in order to get true surround to work, but even then it would be compressed audio and come with those limitations. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

What work around for optical? I'm curious.

I don't remember

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

My experience with optical on my system has been lag, because the signal is needing to be decoded after being encoded - on movies and such its no big deal, but i noticed alot on games. This depends on the sound card, receiver, drivers, etc

 

This is the only good point - games need surround to be actively encoded for S/PDIF transport. 

 

The problem with optical is that it doesn't have the bandwidth necessary to carry uncompressed 6+ channel audio IIRC. You would need a sound card capable of doing Dolby Digital Live compression in order to get true surround to work, but even then it would be compressed audio and come with those limitations. 

 

Optical has plenty of bandwidth!!!

S/PDIF is the limitation.  :P

PC Build in LTT Gallery - JBL J88 - Fostex T50RP (Modded) - Pioneer SE-A1000 vs audio-technica ATH-AD500X - Skullcandy Aviator  
audio-technica ATH-T400 - CHC Silverado and Laredo - Clip-On Headphone Roundup - Sony LinkBuds

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

This is the only good point - games need surround to be actively encoded for S/PDIF transport.

Optical has plenty of bandwidth!!!

S/PDIF is the limitation. :P

So then should I work on fixing the HDMI part of my receiver?

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

So then should I work on fixing the HDMI part of my receiver?

 

That, or stop buying used receivers off craigslist.  :rolleyes:

PC Build in LTT Gallery - JBL J88 - Fostex T50RP (Modded) - Pioneer SE-A1000 vs audio-technica ATH-AD500X - Skullcandy Aviator  
audio-technica ATH-T400 - CHC Silverado and Laredo - Clip-On Headphone Roundup - Sony LinkBuds

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

That, or stop buying used receivers off craigslist. :rolleyes:

It was 15$.

It's a 400$ receiver (in 2008)

And I knew the HDMI was broken when I bought it.

The multi channel inputs work fine, but no processing and calibration on them.

So it doesn't matter that much

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

The problem with optical is that it doesn't have the bandwidth necessary to carry uncompressed 6+ channel audio IIRC. You would need a sound card capable of doing Dolby Digital Live compression in order to get true surround to work, but even then it would be compressed audio and come with those limitations. 

 

Its this compression and decompression, I was told, that causes delay that is noticeable in things like shooters. When you click and expect immediate audible feedback. 

 

It could also have been my $150 brand new pioneer receiver that couldn't decode fast enough?

 

 

And I knew the HDMI was broken when I bought it.

 

How can you fix it?

D3SL91 | Ethan | Gaming+Work System | NAS System | Photo: Nikon D750 + D5200

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Its this compression and decompression, I was told, that causes delay that is noticeable in things like shooters. When you click and expect immediate audible feedback.

It could also have been my $150 brand new pioneer receiver that couldn't decode fast enough?

How can you fix it?

Its a common issue, just need to solder new resistors

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Audio

×