What are my audio options with HDMI?

imascrub

imascrub

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I've been looking to get a widescreen monitor with a HDMI connection that I can use as both my PC monitor and a display for the PS3. The thing is, most monitors don't have speakers, and even if they did, I wouldn't want to use them for the ps3 anyway. Btw the monitors I'm looking at are either the Sceptre x22wg or the BenQ FP222wh. They both have HDMI, and the Sceptre is even marketed as being able to display 1080p (despite being 1680x1050), but even if that doesn't work out right, I'm pretty sure both monitors would be able to display 1080i fine. I just kinda wanna be able to get a couple of my favorite movies on blu-ray. I'm kind of leaning towards the BenQ though since the Sceptre is reported to have lots of problems with the DVI/HDMI/complete monitor going kaput in just a few short months.

So anyway...if I were to connect the PS3 through HDMI connector to the monitor, what are my options for connecting audio? Right now I'm running component so I have a RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable to connect to my 2.1 speakers. I would use the optical out for audio, but I don't have an optical connector on my speakers.

What are some other ways I could connect audio? The only other way I can see is connecting hdmi for the video, and keeping the multi av/component cables plugged in to the ps3 and just set the audio options to use the audio portion of the component cables, but I don't know if having both options plugged in like that can be used simultaneously, one for video and one for audio.


-edit-
Hmm well with the Sceptre it seems that there is a headphone jack on the monitor, so i suppose I could just have a cable from that jack to my speakers. But if I were to get the BenQ I still don't know how I would connect it.
 
I don't know anything about those particular monitors, but I would expand your search to DVI monitors that support HDCP. You may be able to get a better monitor for less, since HDMI is a little gimmicky on computer monitors at this point.

A 1680x1050 monitor obviously won't be able to display 1080p, but many will accept the signal and scale it down. Just be sure to check input (or data) compatibility, and read reviews to find out how good the scaler is. Most are bad.

As for audio, I would continue using your current setup. You can have both the AV-multi-out and HDMI plugged up at the same time. If you do get an HDMI monitor, running the audio through it and out the headphone jack could only hurt, I'm sure.
 
I'm also curious. My TV has an HDMI port but my 7.1 receiver does not. Can I hook up the HDMI for video and the audio separately through component?
 
If you've got a 7.1 receiver, I assume it has an optical input. I'd use HDMI for video and optical for audio. Actually, that is what I do.
 
[quote name='CokeCola']If you've got a 7.1 receiver, I assume it has an optical input. I'd use HDMI for video and optical for audio. Actually, that is what I do.[/quote]

Yup, that's what I do too. Some people will say that Optical doesn't have enough bandwidth for the Uncompressed PCM audio on some Blu-Ray movies, but it works just fine on mine.
 
[quote name='reiji']Yup, that's what I do too. Some people will say that Optical doesn't have enough bandwidth for the Uncompressed PCM audio on some Blu-Ray movies, but it works just fine on mine.[/quote]

It doesn't.
But you'll get Dolby Digital just fine.
 
[quote name='CokeCola']I don't know anything about those particular monitors, but I would expand your search to DVI monitors that support HDCP. You may be able to get a better monitor for less, since HDMI is a little gimmicky on computer monitors at this point.

A 1680x1050 monitor obviously won't be able to display 1080p, but many will accept the signal and scale it down. Just be sure to check input (or data) compatibility, and read reviews to find out how good the scaler is. Most are bad.

As for audio, I would continue using your current setup. You can have both the AV-multi-out and HDMI plugged up at the same time. If you do get an HDMI monitor, running the audio through it and out the headphone jack could only hurt, I'm sure.[/quote]

cool thanks for the advice

I've decided to lookat other monitors besides HDMI equipped ones and look into ones that have HDCP support through DVI or with a component or something.
 
[quote name='dallow']It doesn't.
But you'll get Dolby Digital just fine.[/quote]
You can do 2-channel uncompressed over optical, but that's not really the best option for stuff that has a 5.1 channel soundtrack. In that case you're better off with the dolby digital track.

The only way to get 5.1 uncompressed is with hdmi to a receiver that supports it.
 
There is supposedly a new line of Sony receivers for the budget consumer that will take advantage of PS3's lossless audio and deep color capabilities.Ranging from $200-500 respectively.
 
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