Does Optical Cable Support Dolby Digital Plus? What Should You Know

When it comes to audio and home theater systems, there’s often some confusion and misinformation about the compatibility of optical cables (TOSLINK or S/PDIF) with audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus. While some sources may suggest that optical cables do not support Dolby Digital Plus, the reality is quite different.

So, if you are wondering whether optical cable supports Dolby Digital Plus, the answer is both yes and no. 

Technically, optical cables have the bandwidth to support Dolby Digital Plus, but there is a software block that prevents this from happening. This software block is put in place by Dolby to ensure that Dolby Digital Plus is only transmitted over HDMI connections.

Why Is There a Software Block?

Dolby has a few reasons for putting in place a software block that prevents Dolby Digital Plus from being transmitted over optical cables. First, it helps to ensure that Dolby Digital Plus is only transmitted in the highest possible quality. HDMI cables can carry much more bandwidth than optical cables, so they are able to support Dolby Digital Plus without any compression. 

Second, the software block helps to prevent piracy of Dolby Digital Plus content. By restricting Dolby Digital Plus to HDMI connections, Dolby can make it more difficult for pirates to copy and distribute Dolby Digital Plus content.

Why Is There Confusion About Whether Optical Cables Support Dolby Digital Plus?

The confusion about whether optical cables support Dolby Digital Plus is likely due to the fact that some devices do support Dolby Digital over optical. However, these devices are only able to support Dolby Digital, not Dolby Digital Plus. Dolby Digital is a lower-quality audio format than Dolby Digital Plus, and it does not require as much bandwidth to transmit.

What Are the Alternatives to Optical Cables for Dolby Digital Plus?

The only alternative to optical cables for Dolby Digital Plus is HDMI cables. HDMI cables are capable of carrying much more bandwidth than optical cables, so they can support Dolby Digital Plus and other high-quality audio formats.

Additional Information About Optical Cables and Dolby Digital Plus

Optical cables are a type of digital audio cable that uses light to transmit audio signals.

Dolby Digital Plus is a high-quality audio format that is used on Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Dolby Digital Plus offers a number of advantages over standard Dolby Digital, including:

1. More channels: Dolby Digital Plus can support up to 7.1 channels of surround sound, while Dolby Digital can only support 5.1 channels.
2. Higher quality audio: Dolby Digital Plus uses a more advanced encoding algorithm than Dolby Digital, which results in higher quality audio.
3. Support for lossless audio: Dolby Digital Plus can support lossless audio formats, such as LPCM (Linear pulse code modulation), which provide the highest possible audio quality.

How Do I Connect Devices to Dolby Digital Plus Audio?

If you want to enjoy Dolby Digital Plus audio, you will need to connect your devices using an HDMI cable. To do this, simply connect the HDMI output port on your source device (such as a Blu-ray player or streaming device) to the HDMI input port on your TV or AVR.

Once your devices are connected, you will need to configure the audio settings on your devices to output Dolby Digital Plus audio. To do this, consult the owner’s manuals for your devices.

In Summary

While optical cables do not support Dolby Digital Plus, they are still a good option for connecting your devices if you do not need Dolby Digital Plus audio. Optical cables are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. However, if you want to enjoy the highest possible audio quality, you should use an HDMI cable to connect your devices.