It is possible to go from HDMI to optical using an HDMI to Optical converter. This type of converter is commonly used when you have a device with an HDMI output, such as a Blu-ray player, game console, or streaming device, and you want to connect it to a device with an optical input, such as an older analog stereo system or soundbar.
One situation where I personally encountered the need for an HDMI to Optical converter was when I wanted to connect my Blu-ray player to my older analog stereo system. The stereo system only had an optical input, so I needed a way to convert the digital HDMI signal from the Blu-ray player into an analog signal that could be sent through the optical connection. I purchased an HDMI to Optical converter and it worked perfectly, allowing me to enjoy high-quality audio from my Blu-ray movies through my analog stereo system.
Here are some key points to understand about HDMI to Optical converters:
1. Functionality: An HDMI to Optical converter takes the digital video and audio signals from an HDMI cable and converts them into an analog signal that can be sent through an optical connection. The converter essentially bridges the gap between newer HDMI-enabled devices and older analog-based sources.
2. Compatibility: These converters are designed to work with HDMI devices that output both video and audio signals. They support various HDMI standards, including HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, and are compatible with common audio formats like Dolby Digital and DTS.
3. Setup: Setting up an HDMI to Optical converter is relatively straightforward. You simply connect the HDMI output from your source device to the converter’s HDMI input using an HDMI cable. Then, you connect the converter’s optical output to the optical input on your analog device using an optical cable. you may need to adjust the audio settings on your source device to ensure it is outputting audio through the HDMI connection.
4. Audio Quality: While HDMI supports both video and audio signals, optical connections can only carry audio signals. Therefore, when using an HDMI to Optical converter, you will need to connect the video output from your source device separately to your display or TV. The converter will only handle the audio signal, converting it to an analog format suitable for optical transmission.
5. Limitations: It’s important to note that HDMI to Optical converters are unidirectional, meaning they convert the HDMI audio signal to an optical signal, but they cannot convert an optical signal back to HDMI. Additionally, these converters do not support advanced audio formats like Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, as optical connections have limited bandwidth compared to HDMI.
An HDMI to Optical converter is a useful device when you need to connect an HDMI-enabled device to an older analog-based source with an optical input. It allows you to convert the digital HDMI audio signal into an analog format suitable for transmission through an optical connection. By using such a converter, you can bridge the gap between newer HDMI devices and older analog audio systems, enabling you to enjoy high-quality audio from your HDMI source on your older analog equipment.