Dolby Digital via HDMI?

[etsolow]

I'm not getting DD5.1 via HDMI. I run the S3's HDMI output to my TV, then optical from there to my receiver. Under that scenario, I get sound, but not DD5.1. If I run optical straight from the S3 to my receiver, I do get DD5.1. Is this an issue with HDMI output, or perhaps an issue with my TV? Not that it's a big deal, but I assume this setup SHOULD work, right?

E

[greg_burns]

I haven't tried that setup yet, but that was how I planned to wire it. MZ reported he does this with success. Looking in the manual for my Sony it mentions something about 2 channel Dolby Digital only when doing this. Sounds like what you are experiencing first hand. :(

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4373566&&#post4373566

[etsolow]

Well... you inspired me to read MY manual, and now I'm even more confused. It appears that I SHOULD be able to select between PCM and DD output, but in my TV interface it's grayed out... off to AVSForum.com or something, I guess!

ETA: this guy (http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7813-0.html?forumID=60&threadID=150030&messageID=1671228) has the same TV and the same problem. Swell.

[Bodshal]

Some TV's will only pass stereo PCM when passing on audio from HDMI to a SPDIF out. That may be your issue.

Chris.

[etsolow]

Yeah, apparently, but the manual (http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200507/20050704183212125_BP68-00520A-00Eng_book.pdf) (on page 82, if anyone's lookin') indicates I should be able to choose between PCM and DD output.

Eh, maybe that only applies to the built-in ATSC tuner, and not HDMI pass-thru? It's sure not very specific...

[etsolow]

My answer, from AVSForum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5892462&&#post5892462) ...

6. Will 1080p sets support multichannel audio (5.1) on the HDMI inputs? 720p sets only support 2 channels and this prevents a multichannel pass through to a receiver. This is important to manage sync in some situations.

>> ANSWER: No, 2 channel PCM audio only.

Sucky. Oh well, missed that one in my research.

[elrcastor]

Why not run the optical to the receiver?

[etsolow]

Oh, I am. Like I said, it's really no big deal, because that's available. If it DID pass DD, I could have multiple HDMI sources sent to my TV and a single optical cable from there to the receiver. Since it doesn't, I'll need an optical cable from each component to the receiver.

[bdraw]

Another perfect reason why HDMI is over-rated.

Wake me up when the audio and control interface works.
Until them I will use my custom length Component cables.

[ehardman]

My Pioneer 5070 passes 5.1 via HDMI. I did discover that I have to change a setting in my Pioneer reciever to pass the audio via HDMI.

[eisenb11]

The only thing I like about HDMI is that it creates less clutter in scaler setups.

My scaler has a DVI going to my TV and a digital going to my receiver. If all my sources were HDMI we'd only be looking at 1 input cable per source instead of two.

Ofcourse I've only got 1 HDMI source and the rest use the older standard connectors, so the point is sorta moot in practice... :D

[alee]

My Pioneer 5070 passes 5.1 via HDMI. I did discover that I have to change a setting in my Pioneer reciever to pass the audio via HDMI.
Boo... my Pioneer 5050 only passes 2 channels. :(

[tunnelengineer]

over HDMI my tv only passes through 2 channel. Mine's a JVD HDILA display.

I swear my next setup will include a rack mount for components. My rats nest of wiring is out of control.

[Bodshal]

over HDMI my tv only passes through 2 channel. Mine's a JVD HDILA display.

I swear my next setup will include a rack mount for components. My rats nest of wiring is out of control.

The S3, being a bit wider than the S2's, is a perfect 19" rack size. Fits snugly on a rackmount shelf. :)

Chris.

[tunnelengineer]

yep, my receiver auto switches based on the signal from Tivo. Anymore, all I watch are HD shows in 5.1 though.

[HomieG]

I've seen the OP's question in several other threads. Some TV's don't decode DD because they don't have decoders. And some don't pass DD from HDMI-inputs to their optical outputs.

[Monty2_2001]

Once again, Tivo screwed up. They should've waited for HDMI 1.3, and then it would handle all the audio formats over HDMI.

I can't imagine how hard it is for someone like Tivo though. S3 really needed both HDMI 1.3 and CC 2.0. Problem is, who knows when CC2 will ever be out.

[bkdtv]

Once again, Tivo screwed up. They should've waited for HDMI 1.3, and then it would handle all the audio formats over HDMI.

I can't imagine how hard it is for someone like Tivo though. S3 really needed both HDMI 1.3
Huh?

HDMI 1.1 already supports every audio format used on broadcast and cable television. HDMI 1.3 is unnecessary; it adds support for fixed media (Blu-ray and HD-DVD) audio formats that will never be used on broadcast or cable delivered television, due to their bandwidth requirements.

[Monty2_2001]

I misread above, sorry. I thought someone said that the HDMI on S3 only sent 2 chan.

[bkdtv]

I misread above, sorry. I thought someone said that the HDMI on S3 only sent 2 chan.
When you set the Series3 to PCM audio output (instead of Dolby Digital) as you must to get menu sounds, it only outputs PCM stereo. However, that isn't a limitation of the HDMI implementation, it's a limitation of the software.

When you set the Series3 to Dolby Digital output, you get full DD5.1, but no menu sounds.

[Monty2_2001]

No menu sounds? That's interesting. I'm using R10 Directivo with the optical output, and I get menu sounds+5.1

[aaronwt]

Not while it's sending DD. You will in the menus, but if watching a program in DD you won't hear the sounds while that program is playing.

[megazone]

Yeah, you get the sounds all the time *EXCEPT* when watching a program broadcast with DD, because the unit can't overlay the sounds on the DD audio.