Optical to SPDIF connection?

[giddyup]

I'm buying a new TV. which as far as I Know only has a SPDIF sound connection, however my Samsung soundbar has an Optical connection. Will I need a special lead to connect the two, and is it even possible?

[Crossy]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32806274861.html

 

Looks like what you need - $7 ????

 

[giddyup]

15 minutes ago, Crossy said:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32806274861.html

 

Looks like what you need - $7 ????

Thanks, might be simpler to stay with the old RCA leads I'm using now. The new TV is Bluetooth and so is the soundbar, but I read that the optical connection provides better sound quality.

Edited December 20, 2019 by giddyup

[Fruit Trader]

SPDIF is a transfer format that can use optical or coax (copper) type connections. To be clear you need to explain exactly what connection type is available at each device. Best to provide model numbers .

[giddyup]

1 hour ago, Fruit Trader said:

SPDIF is a transfer format that can use optical or coax (copper) type connections. To be clear you need to explain exactly what connection type is available at each device. Best to provide model numbers .

The optical connection cable that was supplied by Samsung has square connectors each end, not sure how that can fit a SPDIF socket.

[Fruit Trader]

1 hour ago, giddyup said:

The optical connection cable that was supplied by Samsung has square connectors each end, not sure how that can fit a SPDIF socket.

[mahjongguy]

If the new TV is decent it should have one HDMI connector labelled as ARC. If your soundbar has an HDMI input, then connect the two and you're all set. 

[Fruit Trader]

1 minute ago, mahjongguy said:

If the new TV is decent it should have one HDMI connector labelled as ARC. If your soundbar has an HDMI input, then connect the two and you're all set. 

Which is why I asked him to post model numbers so that people can provide options. Its really that simple.

 

Samsung Sample with two options

 

 

[giddyup]

14 minutes ago, mahjongguy said:

If the new TV is decent it should have one HDMI connector labelled as ARC. If your soundbar has an HDMI input, then connect the two and you're all set. 

No, only optical and RCA as well as Bluetooth.

[giddyup]

10 minutes ago, Fruit Trader said:

Which is why I asked him to post model numbers so that people can provide options. Its really that simple.

 

Samsung Sample with two options

 

 

Haven't got the TV home yet, only going by the online specs it says SPDIF.

[giddyup]

36 minutes ago, Fruit Trader said:

I have the same lead, but will it fit this socket?

[wgdanson]

4 hours ago, giddyup said:

Thanks, might be simpler to stay with the old RCA leads I'm using now. The new TV is Bluetooth and so is the soundbar, but I read that the optical connection provides better sound quality.

The 'better sound quality' will be dependant on the source, and also the destination ie your ears. Depending on your age, health and past exposure to loud music, your top end will fall dramatically, at 70 yrs old I cannot hear above 11kHz, so pointless shelling out for something which will reproduce 20kHz, except for my dog's benefit!

[wgdanson]

16 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I have the same lead, but will it fit this socket?

NO! the two sockets you show are like the old RCF phono plugs but with digital stereo signal.

Edited December 20, 2019 by wgdanson

[wgdanson]

28 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Haven't got the TV home yet, only going by the online specs it says SPDIF.

The grey covered socket WILL take the square optical cable, but if you have nowhere to stick the other end.....!

[Fruit Trader]

27 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I have the same lead, but will it fit this socket?

If thats the TV you dont have at home yet then you are back at post 2 for a Toslink converter.

[fishtank]

I find it hard to believe that a new TV does not have at least one HDMI socket.

[Langsuan Man]

41 minutes ago, fishtank said:

I find it hard to believe that a new TV does not have at least one HDMI socket.

Me too, must have gotten a hell of a deal to buy decade old technology

[giddyup]

2 hours ago, fishtank said:

I find it hard to believe that a new TV does not have at least one HDMI socket.

Of course, it has 3, but already said that the soundbar does not. See post #9.

Edited December 21, 2019 by giddyup

[giddyup]

1 hour ago, Langsuan Man said:

Me too, must have gotten a hell of a deal to buy decade old technology

Perhaps you should have read the posts first before commenting. See post #9.

Edited December 21, 2019 by giddyup

[Jai Dee]

On 12/20/2019 at 1:24 PM, giddyup said:

The new TV is Bluetooth and so is the soundbar, but I read that the optical connection provides better sound quality.

 

There have been many discussions in the HiFi world whether Bluetooth audio is really worse than hard wired given the bandwidth limitations.

 

It depends on the Bluetooth audio compression codecs supported by your soundbar.

 

If AAC or aptX or aptX-HD or LDAC is/are supported, then you would be happy with a Bluetooth connection and not have to bother with converters, adapters, cables etc.

 

Some audio enthusiasts swear by aptX-HD and will not purchase anything that doesn’t support this codec.

 

Have a read of this article. It is slanted towards Apple's AAC codec technology, but the other codecs (used by Android) are also discussed.

 

Here is another article worth a read... discussing high resolution audio and various compression codecs.

[Langsuan Man]

23 hours ago, giddyup said:

Perhaps you should have read the posts first before commenting. See post #9.

Well then the soundbar is decade old technology

[giddyup]

1 hour ago, Langsuan Man said:

Well then the soundbar is decade old technology

With Bluetooth and optical? Yes of course it is. Doesn't excuse the fact that you were commenting without reading the posts.

Edited December 22, 2019 by giddyup

[Fruit Trader]

1 hour ago, Langsuan Man said:

Well then the soundbar is decade old technology

Optical for audio has some limitations compared to HDMI but the soundbar market is one of several reasons why optical ports are available on so many modern TV's.

 

Samsung 2019-20 continues with soundbar models that accommodate those wishing to connect via optical only...

 

[recom273]

On 12/20/2019 at 1:24 PM, giddyup said:

Thanks, might be simpler to stay with the old RCA leads I'm using now. The new TV is Bluetooth and so is the soundbar, but I read that the optical connection provides better sound quality.

I don’t believe you will notice much of a loss in quality when using Bluetooth to a soundbar. BT technology has come a long way.

 

I use a SPIDIF out on my audio streamer, I connect this to my DAC via coax then RCA to Integrated amplifier. 
 

If you had a high end system in a designated viewing room, then of course you would use cables, but for general TV on a soundbar, BT is fine.