[mythtv-users] Digital Audio - HDMI vs SPD/IF

[Allen Edwards]

A couple of points.  You can definitely hear surround sound and
distinguish a sound behind you from one in front.  No question about
it but I can't tell you why.

Second, some amps have HDMI outputs so when you select a source, your
TV gets the new video as well as the speakers getting the new audio.

Back to surround sound.  I have had a 5.1 setup for about 12 years.  I
just made a major improvement in it by removing the center speaker.  I
talked to the speaker company (Thiel) and they confirmed that many
people are coming to the same conclusion.  If you have L-R speakers
that cost many thousands of dollars don't mess up the sound by putting
a cheap (if you call $1000 cheap) speaker in the center.  A high
quality L-R setup has such a good sound stage that you don't need a
center speaker. Now if you have matched speakers all around, that is
different.

Allen