Optical switch sound quality.

ShaunW · 10-02-2012, 09:32

I want to connect my Xbox 360 to my surround sound system so I can watch Netflix in 5.1. I only have one optical input that's used by my Sky HD box, so I plan to use a Lindy 2 way optical switch.

Is there any significant loss of sound quality using a switch ?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-TosLin...865599&sr=8-12

Also I take it the cheaper switches are poor, if a cheaper switch sufficed of course I'd gladly buy that instead.

bobcar · 10-02-2012, 09:34

As long as it works there is no loss of sound quality at all.

chrisjr · 10-02-2012, 09:36

It is digital. Therefore if the digital data stream gets from input to output without corruption there can be NO effect on sound quality at all.

And if the switch is so naff that it corrupts the data stream the effects are unlikely to be subtle. Randomly changing digital 1s to 0s or vice versa is often accompanied by pops and bangs depending on which bit gets changed.

ShaunW · 10-02-2012, 10:45

Thanks for the replies, that's put my mind at rest.

Deacon1972 · 10-02-2012, 10:59

Both the cheaper two way and three way versions work and are much cheaper.

The two way will work but only if your Sky box/Xbox disables the optical output when in standby, you can only have one device on at any one time. I prefer the two way as there is no manual switching.

The three way will definitely work regardless of whether the optical is live or not when either stb is in standby, but you have to manual switch inputs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optical-Spli.../dp/B001NXQTGM

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Optical-T...8871525&sr=8-2

ShaunW · 10-02-2012, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

Both the cheaper two way and three way versions work and are much cheaper.

The two way will work but only if your Sky box/Xbox disables the optical output when in standby, you can only have one device on at any one time. I prefer the two way as there is no manual switching.

The three way will definitely work regardless of whether the optical is live or not when either stb is in standby, but you have to manual switch inputs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optical-Spli.../dp/B001NXQTGM

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Optical-T...8871525&sr=8-2

I looked at the bottom one (HQ Optical TOSlink 3 Port Switch) but the Amazon reviews put me off, have you got one ?

stanandjan · 10-02-2012, 22:48

I have had mine for some 4 months now..Brilliant

Stan

Deacon1972 · 11-02-2012, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaunW

I looked at the bottom one (HQ Optical TOSlink 3 Port Switch) but the Amazon reviews put me off, have you got one ?

I have used and fitted both in the past with no problems except where one stb didn't disable the optical output when in standby when using a 2way, had to fit a 3way on this occasion.

10-02-2012, 09:32	#1
ShaunW Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gtr Manchester Posts: 2,314	Optical switch sound quality. I want to connect my Xbox 360 to my surround sound system so I can watch Netflix in 5.1. I only have one optical input that's used by my Sky HD box, so I plan to use a Lindy 2 way optical switch. Is there any significant loss of sound quality using a switch ? http://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-TosLin...865599&sr=8-12 Also I take it the cheaper switches are poor, if a cheaper switch sufficed of course I'd gladly buy that instead.

10-02-2012, 09:34	#2
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	As long as it works there is no loss of sound quality at all.

10-02-2012, 09:36	#3
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	It is digital. Therefore if the digital data stream gets from input to output without corruption there can be NO effect on sound quality at all. And if the switch is so naff that it corrupts the data stream the effects are unlikely to be subtle. Randomly changing digital 1s to 0s or vice versa is often accompanied by pops and bangs depending on which bit gets changed.

10-02-2012, 10:45	#4
ShaunW Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gtr Manchester Posts: 2,314	Thanks for the replies, that's put my mind at rest.

10-02-2012, 10:59	#5
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Both the cheaper two way and three way versions work and are much cheaper. The two way will work but only if your Sky box/Xbox disables the optical output when in standby, you can only have one device on at any one time. I prefer the two way as there is no manual switching. The three way will definitely work regardless of whether the optical is live or not when either stb is in standby, but you have to manual switch inputs. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optical-Spli.../dp/B001NXQTGM http://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Optical-T...8871525&sr=8-2

10-02-2012, 14:17	#6
ShaunW Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gtr Manchester Posts: 2,314	Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 Both the cheaper two way and three way versions work and are much cheaper. The two way will work but only if your Sky box/Xbox disables the optical output when in standby, you can only have one device on at any one time. I prefer the two way as there is no manual switching. The three way will definitely work regardless of whether the optical is live or not when either stb is in standby, but you have to manual switch inputs. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optical-Spli.../dp/B001NXQTGM http://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Optical-T...8871525&sr=8-2 I looked at the bottom one (HQ Optical TOSlink 3 Port Switch) but the Amazon reviews put me off, have you got one ?

10-02-2012, 22:48	#7
stanandjan Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scouser in Chilterns Posts: 711	I have had mine for some 4 months now..Brilliant Stan

11-02-2012, 11:39	#8
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by ShaunW I looked at the bottom one (HQ Optical TOSlink 3 Port Switch) but the Amazon reviews put me off, have you got one ? I have used and fitted both in the past with no problems except where one stb didn't disable the optical output when in standby when using a 2way, had to fit a 3way on this occasion.

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Optical switch sound quality.