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Optical technology (but not Toslink) seems tailor-made for high bandwidth digital audio/video distribution. In fact, I think most of the internet distribution backbone relies on Fiber optics. Why would the Consumer electronics industry settle on a copper distribution system with bulky, awkward connectors when an itty, bitty Optical cable would easily have served the purpose (Toslink was a specific implementation which didn't require any bandwidth) ?
A friend of mine (engineer) asked this question and I didn't have a good answer. Why are we settling for second-rate technology in our Consumer electronics products ? HDMI was supposed to simply connection issues, but fiber optics would seem to be simplify even more (I hate that flimsy, non-locking HDMI connection).
Follow Ups:
The reason is that the film industry wants it. HDMI provides the cabling necessary for HDCP.
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Yes but video could not have been implemented that way. HDCP is a video thing not an audio one.
Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. You aren't talking about S/PDIF. You're wondering why they chose wire rather than a new optical format for HD video. I have no idea. Sorry for the confusion on my part.
-------------"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back." -Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982)
HDMI started out at 165MHz and HDMI 1.3 moves it out to about 340MHz. Below is a link to the bandwidth numbers (not in feet, but in kilometers) for non-TOSlink
E.g. Meitner has their own proprietary standard to transfer DSD from DAC to preamp.
-------------"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back." -Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982)
It's the HDCP that makes them run around in circles and pee on themselves.
The HDMI connector is only one means to transfer data and a copy protection scheme to go along with it. HD-SDI can carry the video that HDMI does, the 8 channels of 24/96 audio that HDMI does and, with little effort, a copy protection scheme (though none are used today). It's also a more robust method than HDMI for transferring signals: SDI protocols allow for 1000ft, while HDMI, over copper, is rather limited for 1080p60 (about 50ft for the very best cables) unless add-on signal boosters are used (not very cost efficient).
There's a reason that the only time you see high quality fiber connections (ST) in consumer electronics is when you get to the High-End audio gear (Wadia, Krell, Accuphase, etc): real high quality/high bandwidth fiber optics (not TOSlink) is more expensive to implement vs HDMI when you add up the costs for interfaces, chips, etc.
,
... to Joe Public. If the general public was, in theory, confused by the concept of two competing formats (as Warners marketing division claims) then they'd be completely dumbfounded if offered a choice between two incompatible methods of transferring data from point A to point B.For all intent and purpose, the DVI standard was compatible, worked just fine and didn't have as many handshake issues that HDMI, but DVI cables can't carry sound. The two big selling points for HDMI are an ability to transfer picture and sound together and the relatively low cost of cables (making one standard universally accessible). If an optical system could've been implemented to satisfy both bandwidth and cost requirements without being too fragile (an issue with some fiber optic cables) then the high definition gurus probably would've opted for a unified optical standard similar to the one you're suggesting.
Cheers,
AuPhPS: Oscar, the new Denon AVR-1908 arrived today; I should have it fully connected, checked out and ready to go for the A/V summit Saturday! Now the true test will be running Zone 2 to my Audible Illusions line stage for the front channels; then everything will be on track. :o)
... or DD/DTS chipsets or video decoder chipsets or...
The Toslink hookup is actually easier than the HDMI hookup. I've been doing a lot of this lately since I don't have a Toslink switcher yet (multiple Toslink sources, one Toslink input channel on the pre/pro).
A (high bandwidth) fiber optic connection would still be smaller and lighter than an HDMI cable, you can even hook it up in the dark, just look for the "light splash" from the FO transmitter and plug the cable in.
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