V+ Sound Query

[hedgie]

Hi all,

I have just changed my AV Setup and cant get my surround sound working like it did before!

Previously I had the V+ connected directly to the AV Amp by optical toslink and all worked fine.

I am now using the HDMI connection, I have set HDMI Override off and get sound via HDMI but no 5.1. I have recorded a chunk of the BBC HD which I know has 5.1 and can replay this as a "control". When I use Optical I get 5.1, when I use HDMI I don't.

I suspect the problem is elsewhere but before I flash the firmware on the TV which has an integrated HDMI hub and optical output can anyone confirm that the V+ 5.1 works over HDMI.

The TV people swear blind that the TV will pass 5.1 from HDMI in to optical out. This way I can use my TV as hub and my old composite video AV Amp can still do surround sound duty whilst I have direct HDMI connections to the TV.

Any thoughts?

[spiderplant]

You need to turn the HDMI Audio Override back on. (It's not very well named. It just means "output 5.1 when available").

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by spiderplant

You need to turn the HDMI Audio Override back on. (It's not very well named. It just means "output 5.1 when available").

nice one S.P.... I never knew that either

[hedgie]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

nice one S.P.... I never knew that either

Thanks all,

I suspected it was not the V+ at the outset but thought I would check. After speaking to three different people at Sharp I still dont know for sure if the TV will "pass though" Dolby Digital 5.1 from the HDMI in's to the optical out. So far the score is;

A)-you need to upgrade the firmware on the TV-1
B)-it will only output Dolby Digital if it recieved via "Freeview"-1
C)-it is only a Toslink interface and will never output Dolby because the feed is after the TV's own internal stereo amplifier-1

If the real answer is C then I think the marketing is a con because the box and manual are plastered with Dolby Digital logo's


Next step is to write to Sharp and hopefully get a written response to clarify the situation.


Thanks again for the help. I must admit I thought the the HDMI override was HDMI or Toslink, not 5.1 off or on when available.

---------- Post added at 22:30 ---------- Previous post was at 21:52 ----------

Originally Posted by spiderplant

You need to turn the HDMI Audio Override back on. (It's not very well named. It just means "output 5.1 when available").

OK I have just tested this again, for the purposes of the test I configured System configured as follows.

HDMI connection from V+ to TV. Optical from TV to Amp. No connection to V+ optical port.

HDMI Override Off - Sound from amp via TV.
HDMI Override On - No Sound from amp via TV on BBC HD
HDMI Override On - Sound from amp via TV on BBC1

There you have it.

[kit1cat]

With HDMI override turned on you will get 5.1 sound when available via the optical connection on your v+ box, I don't know if 5.1 sound works via the HDMI connection I do not have a HDMI receiver. You could connect you box straight to the amp to try. I believe on the sky box you can not get 5.1 sound from HDMI, only optical. It might be the same with the Virgin box.

In my set up I have the V+ box connected via HDMI to the tv for sound/video via the tv and optical cable to my receiver for sound via my sound system, including 5.1 when HDMI override is on, I leave it off my default.

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by kit1cat

With HDMI override turned on you will get 5.1 sound when available via the optical connection on your v+ box, I don't know if 5.1 sound works via the HDMI connection I do not have a HDMI receiver. You could connect you box straight to the amp to try. I believe on the sky box you can not get 5.1 sound from HDMI, only optical. It might be the same with the Virgin box.

In my set up I have the V+ box connected via HDMI to the tv for sound/video via the tv and optical cable to my receiver for sound via my sound system, including 5.1 when HDMI override is on, I leave it off my default.

5.1 will work with HDMI if you have a 5.1 AMP ... tried it last night

[hedgie]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

5.1 will work with HDMI if you have a 5.1 AMP ... tried it last night

Thanks I am now convinced it is something to do with the 5.1 pass through on the TV.

[kit1cat]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

5.1 will work with HDMI if you have a 5.1 AMP ... tried it last night

Thanks for info, handy to know.

---------- Post added at 11:13 ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 ----------

I have just done a google search on this problem and it appears that very few tv's pass the hdmi sound input to there digital output socket, it's use is for sound output from the built in tv tuner. So it looks like your only option is to connect the optical out from your v box to your receiver.

[Dazza124]

I have a Sharp LCD tv and V+ box and av amp.

I get 5.1 whenever available via HDMI.

HDMI from V+ box to amp and HDMI from amp to TV

The tv dispaly is HIDEf via HDMI and audio override is set "on".

Dont wish to sound rude but are you sure all the obvious things are covered like
audio selection.As you can use multiple inputs of audio have you changed the amp to use the HDMI instead of using the optical input.
I made that error once where my output to tv was using incorrect audio input.

Have you tried another HDMI cable.

[hedgie]

Originally Posted by Dazza124

I have a Sharp LCD tv and V+ box and av amp.

I get 5.1 whenever available via HDMI.

HDMI from V+ box to amp and HDMI from amp to TV

The tv dispaly is HIDEf via HDMI and audio override is set "on".

Dont wish to sound rude but are you sure all the obvious things are covered like
audio selection.As you can use multiple inputs of audio have you changed the amp to use the HDMI instead of using the optical input.
I made that error once where my output to tv was using incorrect audio input.

Have you tried another HDMI cable.

What model is your TV I have an LE700 series.

I have tried every setting I can find on the TV and V+. I have an old AV Amp that is not HDMI capable and does not have enough inputs for my needs. I was told that I could connect my devices to the TV, it has four HDMI inputs and the TV would output via an optical Toslink port whatever audio was associated with the input. I am beginning to think Kit1cat is right and for whatever reason the toslink out will only export 5.1 if it ever comes in through the tuner. Seems a bit short sighted to me, but I have got round it bu connecting the BluRay directly to the amp that way I get full surround from movies and pseudo or Pro logic from all other sources.

Thanks again for the support.

[Dazza124]

My TV is LC52X20E

If funds allow you could try to get a entry level amp with hdmi inputs/outputs and would solve these issues.

You can pick some up for £150 upwards but you need to do some research

an example is
http://www.richersounds.com/products...s/av-receivers

[hedgie]

Originally Posted by Dazza124

My TV is LC52X20E

If funds allow you could try to get a entry level amp with hdmi inputs/outputs and would solve these issues.

You can pick some up for £150 upwards but you need to do some research

an example is
http://www.richersounds.com/products...s/av-receivers

Yup I think a new amp is the real solution..If fund allowed Denon 1610 would do the job nicely....