[mythtv-users] I thought I understood HDMI audio, but...

[Christopher Kerr]

On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 7:51 AM, Don Brett <dlbrett at zoominternet.net> wrote:
> I just bought a Vizio E421VA at Sams, and I'm having trouble understanding
> the HDMI and audio parts.  I thought the video signal was on the HDMI cable
> and the audio was on a separate audio cable (rca connector style). As I
> understand it, integrated video and audio on HDMI is just  happening now
> with some of the  latest nvidia boards.

Nope, HDMI audio is always digital, and is multiplexed with the video
signal. I have no idea where the separate wires myth comes from,
although it's surprisingly popular.

Some older graphics cards have a header that allows a SPDIF output
from your soundcard to be muxed with the DVI/HDMI video, whilst newer
ones have an integrated sound device.

Some TV's do allow for another audio source to be used with the HDMI
inputs, but it's probably not set up that way by default - there's
usually a setting ("Audio Source", "Sub-Input" or something of the
like) to enable it. At any rate, it's got nothing to do with the HDMI
implementation.

- Chris