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output to HDMI cable from non-HDMI receiver?

As a slowly recovering audiophile and neophyte about video, I'm putting together a new home theater ... but want natural, musical sound. Therefore, I like the idea of used B&K instead of mass brands. However, no HDMI capability with the B&K. Questions:

1. Is it possible to run video sources into the B&K receiver, then output to a switching device that in turn outputs to HDMI cable, sending the video signal to my TV? (audio signal will come through speaker wire from receiver).
2. Will I lose any sonic quality of digital sources by using RCA's vs HDMI cable for audio?

Thanks!
Stuart
stuartm

Showing 1 response by kr4

kr4's avatar
kr4
3,710 posts
 
If all you are using is a cable-box, this will be OK but, if you are planning to use a BluRay source now or in the future, it will not be sufficient.

Without HDMI input to the receiver, you will have to send the video from the source to the display directly and connect to the processor via multiple analog audio cables as the hi-def lossless audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio) cannot be transmitted by optical or coax.

This also means that (unless the receiver can re-digitize those analog signal and that may not be optimal anyway) you will have to do any necessary bass-management/balance/delay processing in the source.

Kal
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