Virgin V+ connects
New member ( today ) so be gentle!!
Understand from other posts that I need to connect V+ box ( coming next Friday ) via optical cable to get dolby if being broadcast by station but what are the advantages / disadvantages of connecting the V+ box to my Sony HT - IS100 surround system via HDMI for video also rather than directly to the TV - then only 1 HDMI connect to TV covering all input devices. No issues with number of HDMI ports on either.
To answer the question, advantages are you can use your Sony system to switch all the video and audio, thus negating the need to switch both the TV to the Virgin input and then the amp as well. Depending on your setup, it may also make keeping cables tidy an easier exercise if only one lead is going to the TV.
Disadvantages - in theory, the direct connection to the TV could yield a slightly better picture - I'm highly dubious if this is going to be noticeable through the Virgin box though. The other possible disadvantage could be you would have to have the amp on to watch TV - depends on whether this is a pain for you or not.
Casca:Even though there's a Dolby logo on the front of the box I've never been able to make the Dolby work and Virgin "do not support Dolby". So, it's two channel optical for me, then....
Grrrrrrrr..........
Casca, bemused by your comment that Virgin "does not support Dolby". Have the V+ box connected via optical to my Arcam AV receiver and get Dolby Surround on many Freeview broadcasts, and Dolby Digital 5.1 on some HD programmes no problem.
Depdog
I route the HDMI cable from my V+ box through the Arcam receiver and then have a single HDMI to the TV, with no discernable drop in picture quality. Works fine for me.
Even though there's a Dolby logo on the front of the box I've never been able to make the Dolby work and Virgin "do not support Dolby". So, it's two channel optical for me, then....
Grrrrrrrr..........