Extenders in home theaters - audio questions

[KryptoNyte]

If you're using the optical output from the TV to the receiver, it's likely that you're running into an HDCP issue which downmixes to stereo, as optical apparently isn't a compliant HDCP path from a "Display Device."

I actually just ran into the same issue and ended up having to upgrade my older non-HDMI receiver to one of the new HDMI AVR's, and use the Audio Return Channel. I had planned to use the HD200 HDMI out to the TV for video only, then the HD200 optical out to pass bitstream directly to my old receiver - but the video processing on the television was creating such a drastic video lag (audio led the video) that I couldn't stand it.

EDIT: Okay, I guess it was earlier in this very thread that I had told this story already, and Fuzzy clarified the ARC (audio return channel) feature independent of the lip-sync. Sorry.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

If you're using the optical output from the TV to the receiver, it's likely that you're running into an HDCP issue which downmixes to stereo, as optical apparently isn't a compliant HDCP path from a "Display Device."

I actually just ran into the same issue and ended up having to upgrade my older non-HDMI receiver to one of the new HDMI AVR's, and use the Audio Return Channel. I had planned to use the HD200 HDMI out to the TV for video only, then the HD200 optical out to pass bitstream directly to my old receiver - but the video processing on the television was creating such a drastic video lag (audio led the video) that I couldn't stand it.

EDIT: Okay, I guess it was earlier in this very thread that I had told this story already, and Fuzzy clarified the ARC (audio return channel) feature independent of the lip-sync. Sorry.

Actually, this display does output 5.1 via optical - Vizio VX240M. Maybe it depends on what is input to the TV. The output of my HTPC, via a Gigabyte MB HDMI, sends a 5.1 signal that gets passed through the TV's optical as active 5.1 (at least according to my ears and what lights up the Yamaha receivers 5.1 indicators). But when I feed the TV with HDMI output from a Cox Cable set-top box, THAT seems to be downmixed to stereo. Is it possible the HTPC is stripping HDCP compliance somehow?

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

I am using a Vizio 24" tv to pass the HDMI through, via an optical audio out connection to my Yamaha receiver. There are two HDMI sources on the TV, and one is passing the 5.1 through just fine.
The second HDMI input, fed from the HD200, is downmixing to stereo at the optical output. weird

Most television Optical outputs only pass stereo through (if they pass anything at all). If you use the TV's internal tuner, THEN it will pass through the AC3, but if using one of the many other TV inputs, it usually passes out the decoded and downmixed audio that would be going to the TV's stereo speakers.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Most television Optical outputs only pass stereo through (if they pass anything at all). If you use the TV's internal tuner, THEN it will pass through the AC3, but if using one of the many other TV inputs, it usually passes out the decoded and downmixed audio that would be going to the TV's stereo speakers.

yeah, I hear ya - that's one of the reasons I bought this little set - it actually passes 5.1 OUT of it's optical jack, which is kinda like having an extra routing system. Vizio VX240M

[KryptoNyte]

The Sharp works exactly the way Fuzzy mentions. If the source is the TV tuner or a USB thumb drive, the Sharp passes 5.1 AC3 via optical, but if the source is coming in via any of the TV's HDMI inputs, it will only downmix to stereo.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

The Sharp works exactly the way Fuzzy mentions. If the source is the TV tuner or a USB thumb drive, the Sharp passes 5.1 AC3 via optical, but if the source is coming in via any of the TV's HDMI inputs, it will only downmix to stereo.

yup, that's why I love this little Vizio. Although, the manual only lists Dolby Digital as an option when using ATSC/QAM. For some reason, the output of my GB MB HDMI fools it somehow

[Taddeusz]

I have a cheap Insignia HDTV. It will bitstream Dolby Digital from HDMI to the optical output. It will only do DD though, no DTS. My HD200 works fine when streaming audio through the TV. The only reason I have optical hooked to my receiver is for the occasional DTS track.

Just make sure the setting in your TV is set to bitstream the audio out the optical jack. Othewise it will downmix it to stereo and send it out in PCM.