Digital Audio + DVI to HDMI out options
#1
For those interested, below are some options for solution to "merging" optical audio with dvi signal and passing thru HDMI.

This could be handy for those who want to hook just one HDMI directly to an HDTV or to a Receiver.

As some know there may be challenges with EDID, audio synch and so forth as before and impact of these solutions could be negative or positive or nothing at all.

Gefen DVI + Audio to HDMI

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=3570

StarTech DVI and Digital Audio to HDMI Converter

http://www.startech.com/item/DVI2HDMI-DV...erter.aspx

Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adapter to HDMI 1080p Video w/ Digital Audio

http://www.kanexlive.com/products/item.aspx?id=3495

SIIG DVI + Audio to HDMI

http://www.siig.com/ViewProduct.aspx?pn=CE-HM0031-S1

I did have briefly the Kanex solution but I received from a store (not Kanex itself) a unit in disrepair. The unit has one USB cable (for power), one video cable. These are built into the unit. Additionally, there is a jack for opitcal audio and a supplied cable with one end being mini toslink (what fits into a MAC Mini headphone/speaker out). Unfortunately, the jack for the audio was broken so I could not test the audio. Video played well, got my Mac Mini to recognize 1080p @24 and used it against analogue audio (headphones). Btw, the unit is plastic encased and is warm/hot to the touch when operating. I can't say the Kanex solution works well or does not so though I had that mail order failure, it shouldn't reflect on the product. A test should be done with a unit in good working order. (This was done on a Mac Mini with OSX Snow Leopard and PLEX. I didn't bother to test with XBMC on OSX given the audio failure.)

Of other interest - as discussed in the forums, there are challenges at times with EDID and audio/video synching. These types of units may or may not impact those challenges and of course your receiver or HDTV's behavior with HDMI.

What do you folks think is the ideal cabling scenario that is possible?


It is hard to tell where some of the synching issues arise from beyond XBMC/Plex. Perhaps it starts with the computer and also is complicated by additional timing issues created by using separate video and audio cables. In particular if one's set up would be video to HDTV and audio to receiver. So, perhaps HDMI of both audio and video would bode well.


Ultimately - I am hoping to be on the mac mini with XBMC (either Linux or OSX) using an optical audio/dvi to HDMI out . I am leaning towards Linux for obvious reason but then again, as someone who hasn't played in the unix/linux world for many many years, its a serious undertaking on the mac mini (getting remote, wireless, sleep etc. working).

- Phrehdd
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Digital Audio + DVI to HDMI out options0