What is an advantage of HDMI connections in AV setups?

HDMI connections are advantageous in AV setups primarily because they can carry both audio and video signals through a single cable. This is beneficial for a number of reasons. First, it simplifies the cabling and reduces clutter, making it easier to manage connections between devices such as televisions, projectors, and audio receivers. Having one cable for both audio and video also makes setup and troubleshooting more straightforward, as there are fewer cables to trace and check.

In addition, HDMI supports high-definition video along with multi-channel audio, enhancing the overall multimedia experience without the need for separate audio cables. This integration supports not only standards for video resolutions, including 4K and beyond, but also advanced audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Thus, the ability to transmit both types of signals over a single conduit represents a significant improvement over older technologies, which often required multiple connections and cables to achieve the same functionality.