What is the signficance of digital audio inputs?

Question

I just bought a Panasonic SC-HT740 (home theater in a box). I haven't opened it yet. I read a review and it said it doesn't have digital audio inputs. What are the implications. I am trying to hook it up to my HD TV.

Answer 1

With no digital input, you can't connect the TV's digital out to this box. Or if you use an HD set-top box, you can't connect their digital output to this box.
The AVR does have analog audio inputs, so you can still connect the analog out (if it is available) from the TV, however, you will not be able to hear multi-channel audio from HDTV stations that offer it.
It is not a bad system, but if you can pay the same price or a little more and get a system with at least one input, it is worth it.
(Make sure it matches your TV's digital output - coax or optical )
If later on you buy a separate DVD player, you can still use the AVR functionality.

Answer 2

By not having digital inputs, you cannot use your AV receiver as a video/audio switching device, nor can you listen to surround sound from other video sources.

Digital audio inputs are coax or fiber optical audio, which carry surround sound (up to 7.1 channel). DVD players, game consoles, cable digital service, satellite digital service all have digital outputs to send digital audio to your sound system.

If your AV receiver doesn't have audio inputs, then I would return it and find one that does.

Answer 3

Convenience of using less cables, and the

ability to process the digital surround formats.
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