When you’re installing a new home theater system or even upgrading an existing one, it’s important to know whether or not it can carry audio from a source. The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the type of content you’re streaming and the type of receiver you’re using. If you’re planning to use a HDMI port to stream audio, you’ll need to check with your system manufacturer to make sure it supports HD audio.
HDMI 2.0
HDMI is a digital video and audio interface that has gained a large following among home owners. It is a common feature found on most gadgets. Using HDMI, users can enjoy high quality movies and music.
HDMI is a great way to transfer video and audio, as well as data. The specification supports the display of uncompressed HD video and audio, along with 32 channels of audio. This allows for a wide range of formats to be transferred. For example, the Dolby TrueHD codec can be transmitted through HDMI.
Aside from a variety of audio and video formats, HDMI also supports high bitrates. In fact, it can support up to 18 Gb per second. As a result, HDMI can deliver all of the audio formats that you need, if you have the proper hardware and software.
HDMI v2.0 brings a variety of enhancements. Some of the new features include Dynamic HDR, which adjusts HDR metadata frame by frame to enhance clarity in dark scenes. Also, it features a quick media switching function, which removes the delay associated with changing video sources.
Besides the new features, HDMI also offers backward compatibility. Depending on the model and brand of device, manufacturers may have added support for additional video and audio formats that are not part of the HDMI specification.
One of the HDMI 2.1 spec’s biggest improvements is the Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). eARC is a dedicated data channel that can be used to send audio back to the source. With eARC, a soundbar can send higher quality audio through the HDMI cable.
Among other features, HDMI v2.0 also includes an increased sampling frequency to a maximum of 1,536 kHz. Moreover, it is possible to transmit dynamic lip sync. Finally, the specification also introduces a number of new consumer electronics control extensions.
HDMI’s most important improvement is its ability to support a variety of modern audio and video formats. For instance, HDMI ports support both 4K and 8K resolutions at 60fps. Moreover, HDMI eARC is capable of delivering eight channels of 24bit/192kHz uncompressed data streams.
HDMI ARC
The HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is an HDMI standard that has been in existence since 2009. It’s a relatively simple technology that allows you to play digital audio data back and forth between your TV and an audio device, like a soundbar. You can send audio from your TV to external speakers or turn off the built-in speakers on your TV to play a recorded music playlist.
To get the most out of the HDMI ARC, you’ll need a high-speed HDMI cable. The ARC also works in conjunction with HDMI-CEC, a protocol that helps you control volume and other TV functions. This will make setting up your home theater easier. However, there are a few pitfalls to look out for.
The eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) is a more robust HDMI standard than the regular ARC. With this technology, you can stream full high-resolution audio. And while it’s not quite the big daddy of all HDMI features, the eARC has the capability to transmit up to 32 channels of audio over an HDMI cable.
ARC is a good option for many reasons. One of the most important is its ability to send a lossless 5.1 channel audio signal through an HDMI interlink. Another is its ability to support Dolby Atmos. Both of these audio formats are often only found on high-end speakers and soundbars.
In some cases, ARC may not be an effective method of carrying higher-fidelity formats, such as DTS-X. Also, some devices may not be able to properly sync their audio to your TV’s display. Some TVs require you to manually activate the ARC output.
HDMI ARC has a lot to offer to consumers. Not only does it help you eliminate all the clutter that is associated with connecting all of your devices to your TV, but it can also help you save money. When you consider how many HDMI cables you will need to buy in the future to connect all of your devices, the savings can add up.
While the ARC has been around for a while, it’s still possible to find older HDMI devices that won’t work with it. As a result, you’ll want to check your TV’s user manual to see what the HDMI ARC standard supports and how you can best implement it in your home.
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby TrueHD is an audio technology developed by Dolby Labs. Dolby TrueHD is an extension of Dolby Digital, a popular lossless audio technology that’s been around for a long time. It was initially created for use with HD Blu-ray Discs. However, it’s also supported on Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.
Although it’s not quite as common as its predecessor Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD can still be found on some Blu-ray Disc titles. This type of audio offers rich, cinematic sound and a bitrate that can go as high as 18,000 kbps. In order to play this type of format, you’ll need an A/V receiver that can decode the audio. If you want to connect a home theater receiver, you’ll need to buy a compatible HDMI cable.
In addition to HDMI, you can also decode Dolby TrueHD on your Blu-ray player. However, not all of them support 7.1-channel distribution. For the best results, you’ll need to connect your receiver to a 5.1 speaker set-up. The signal is then passed to the speakers through the receiver’s amplifiers. You may also need to purchase a soundbar that supports Dolby TrueHD.
If you’re looking for a Blu-ray player that can decode Dolby TrueHD, you’ll need to find one that supports the Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). eARC is a feature of the HDMI 2.1 specification that enables the transmission of full resolution audio and video signals through HDMI. eARC improves bandwidth and speed, making it possible for you to pass lossless, high-bitrate formats.
Dolby TrueHD can be transferred to a 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio setup. Your receiver will automatically downmix the audio, if it supports 7.1-channel distribution. Alternatively, you can hook up your 5.1 amp to a Blu-ray disc that has analogue outputs.
While most newer TVs have a compression feature built into the HDMI connection, some older models don’t. This means that you may need to use an HDMI 1.1 or 1.2 cable. However, if you’re looking for a high-quality home theater experience, you’ll be happy to know that you can decode Dolby TrueHD and other high-definition audio formats through the HDMI 1.3 port on your next reciever.
DTS-HD
The DTS-HD audio format is the default sound codec on Blu-ray Discs, and is an excellent option for both 5.1 and 2-channel surround sound. However, it requires an HDMI 1.3 compatible player and AV receiver. Unfortunately, most Blu-ray Disc players don’t offer internal decoding to DTS-HD audio, meaning that they can’t decode the high-resolution data stream of a DTS-HD Master Audio movie.
Some AV receivers support DTS-HD MA and can decode DTS-HD MA from a Blu-ray Disc. These receivers can also pass audio from streaming services, such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Hulu. But the DTS-HD MA decoding process is quite complex, and the extra cost and complexity in new AV receivers would make it more expensive for consumers to use.
If you want to play DTS-HD audio on HDMI, you’ll need an HDMI 1.3 player and a receiver with on-board DTS-HD MA processing. There are some older receivers, however, that don’t have this option. This can be a real hassle, especially if you want to watch a movie with surround sound.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the sampling rate of DTS-HD Master Audio goes down as you add more channels. In fact, a 7.1 surround system can support a maximum sampling rate of 192 kHz, but this may be overkill for your needs. Alternatively, you could choose to listen to a 5.1 channel soundtrack with a higher sample rate.
Dolby TrueHD is another high-resolution audio format. It’s available on Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. Many Blu-ray Disc players will play Dolby TrueHD on HDMI. Unlike DTS-HD Master Audio, TrueHD does not carry a lossy compression codec. That means that there are no residuals, or uncompressed audio, in the audio stream.
You can also choose to play Dolby Atmos. This is not as good as Dolby TrueHD, but you can still get a good surround experience. Keep in mind, though, that it doesn’t support multichannel PCM, so you’ll need an AV receiver with an analog output if you want to play this format.
When you choose to watch a Blu-ray movie with surround sound, you should choose one that supports DTS-HD Master Audio. While it isn’t the best format, it’s better than nothing, and you can even decode the sound internally in your Blu-ray Disc player.