On 23/01/14 12:00, Mark Rogers <mark@quarella.co.uk> wrote:> On 20 January 2014 17:59, Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

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I've done Android Tablet -> Bluetooth -> Speakers which seems to work OK, does using the HDMI offer any advantages over using Bluetooth (e.g. better quality)?

The only advantages I'm working with at the moment are: the stick has an HDMI port that would be more "tidy" if used than not used, and it doesn't have bluetooth so that means sticking a bluetooth USB adapter in. Neither are big reasons (I'm pretty sure the bluetooth USB adapters you can easily pick up from Poundland and similar stores will work fine so it's not a cost issue!)

Also, in some rooms I already have stereo equipment so the idea would be to bring audio into the AUX input on that, rather than directly to speakers. (If a stereo has the ability to take audio via bluetooth from a mobile phone, I assume that would allow me to send it from the Linux box that way instead?)

On the other hand if I want to put something into a room which currently has nothing maybe bluetooth makes more sense in that instance. However I assume that bluetooth would add some latency? The whole idea is that the audio between rooms would be synchronised. (I am of-course assuming that the HDMI output wouldn't add any latency which may well be a faulty assumption.)

Since HDMI is a digital interface (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI), this scheme would need an external conversion device to extract the analogue audio for an AUX input (usually 3.5mm socket), something like these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/hdmi-to-audio-converter and of course none of those have the right gender HDMI connector for a cotton candy or similar device.. It all looks a bit kludgy to me? Of course you could insist on a HDMI capable TV at each station and get the full benefit of that HDMI connector :) Phil.