Which HDMI audio cable do I need?
Asked by
dpworkin (
27090
)
July 28th, 2009
I want to connect the best Toshiba Regza LCD HDTV audio output to a Logitech THX controller (Toslink). Is there a specific cable for this? What is the optical out standard on the REGZA called?
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10 Answers
HDMI isn’t an audio cable. It carries a digital audio signal along with a DVI-based video signal.
If you search on Amazon or other stores you’ll find toslink cables.
The cable is called Lightpipe, also referred to as ADAT or Toslink cable. Get the cheapest one you can find (i.e. don’t let a sales weasel talk you into Monster Cable), digital cable either work or not. If you can’t find it at your big box retailer, try a music store like Guitar Center, these cables are also used in Pro Audio.
HDMI is a newer cable type that can carry both your video and your audio into the same device. If you need the audio to go elsewhere (to a home theater reciever, for example) then you’ll need a seperate cable.
Toslink is the de facto standard for fiber optic cable as used for audio, and should be available at almost any electronics store. The connector you’re after looks like this. When running it from the player to the other device it’s connected to, be careful not to bend it too sharply, because fiber cable can actually snap, unlike copper wire. In general, avoid bending it sharper than the curve of a quarter.
Agree with jeffpeterson. Digital cables either work or they don’t. Don’t waste money on Monster Cable or the likes.
Amazon normally has them for about $3. That’s the route I would go. Digital signals = no loss due to “impure” cables.
My problem is that although the input side is Toslink, the output side looks proprietary. That’s why I included brand and model info. Thanks.
You included the family, but not the model number. That would be helpful so we can see what you are seeing.
Looks like a standard optical output right above HDMI input 1.
Update to my previous response:
On some models, it looks like the TV should have toslink as well. On the other hand, if the jack looks like this, then it’s a Coaxial audio connector. These connect using a normal RCA cable, just like normal AV cables. But, given the model number, you should have a Toslink connector above the rest. I referenced the owner’s manual for your model, located here on page 11.
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