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Browse All TopicsHello Experts. I am a long time Experts-exchange member and love it. This queestion concerns TV, Receivers and BluRay equipment (as opposed to IT), but I see where questions are being answered.
I have taken considerable length to describe my Home theater environment and hope you all can help.
Here goes:
I can hook up the HDMI video correctly and it displays in HD but I cannot get the Audio to play from the Sony Audio Video receiver to the external speaker L R, C and Back (I can only get audio to come out the TV speakers).
I want to work with HDMI as much as possible. I will first describe the current environment specifying HDMI and Optical/Digital/coaxial ports (IN/OUT) only. I will not address Component, S Video or Composite ports.
Here are the In/out HDMI and Digital/optical/coaxial ports for each device:
Sony BDSP300 BluRay DVD player):
HDMI OUT (I currently have this hooked to the TV HDMI2 input and the picture is fine)
Digital OUT Optical (PCM/DTS/Dolby Digital - don't know which, if any to use)
Digital OUT Coaxial (PCM/DTS/Dolby Digital - don't know which, if any to use)
Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD Cable STB
HDMI OUT (I currently have this hooked to the Panasonic HDMI1 IN & the picture is fine)
Optical Audio OUT (Not sure if this is better than Digital audio or HDMI if at all)
Digital Audio OUT (not sure if this is better than Optical or HDMI if at all)
Sony STR-DG720 Multi Channel AV Receiver::
HDMI IN SAT (I don't have Satellite so I assume this could be a cable box)
HDMI IN DVD (don't plan to use this as I have BluRay)
HDMI IN BD (BluRay in which I have)
In the section labeled TV there are several IN type ports (very confusing labeling):
Optical IN
SAT IN Optical
DVD in Coaxial
Then there is another section called "Digital (assignable), and it has a HDMI lookalike port
called DMPORT (DCSV 0.7a MAX), whatever this is
Panasonic TH-50PZ80U Plasma TV
HDMI1 IN (I currently have the STB Output hooked to here & the picture is fine).
HDMI2 IN (I currently have the BluRay DVD player output hooked here & he picture is fine)
Digital Audio OUT
Standard set of component, composite ports that I don't want to use
I also have a set of standard Speakers (Left, Right, Center, Backs (2) and I could get a Woofer)
Ok, that is the environment, here are the questions:
1. What would be the best way to hook up the Cable STB, and the BluRay DVD player so that I have the HDMI picture (which I do) AND the best Audio coming out the external speakers (because the audio only comes out the TV speakers now)?
2 I heard it is best to hook the Video directly to the TV and the Audio to the AV receiver (which then go to the speakers). Is this correct (when I have HDMI ports on all components)?
3. Do all HDMI Cables handle up to 1080P. I have a set of HDMI cables (Believe both are NEXXTECH). One is model Number NXU U4HDMI $55.99 and the other is NXX N3HDMI $41.10. I have a bad feeling about the lessor expensive one (ie., supporting 1080P). But, that being said, if it only supported up to 1080I which is all the cable stations transmit anyway, does it matter? Or should I take them back and get the $55 dollar HDMI Cable? The sales guy (at CC) said HDMI cables are 'iffy" at best and the only way to be sure is to get the $99 Monster HDMI cables. Is there any truth to that, or was he selling me?
4. I have been seeing the Audio outputs as Coaxial or Optical. Is there a better format? What is the pecking order of the audio output options? HDMI? Optical? Coaxial? and forget RCA composite.
So, there it is. I hope I have detailed all the necessary information for you to provide me with good direction. This might be a good learner guide for others in the same boat.
Thanks in advance for your troubles.
Robert Wagner
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by: k1ng87Posted on 2008-08-13 at 05:52:57ID: 22221208
Hey Robert,
To answre your questions,
1.) I have my system hooked up as the following, its very simple and lowers cable clutter. I connect all my components( PS3, DVR, laptop) via HDMI to my receiver(HK AVR-254) so I can get Video and uncompressed audio to the receiver. My receiver acts as HDMI switcher too so I can get everything on one TV input. You should be able to get audio through HDMI connected to your receiver(there should be a audio input selection on the receiver). Also, the pecking order for audio goes HDMI(supports all current formats of video and audio), Optical, Coaxial, and Composite. Coaxial and Optical support the same audio formats(not sure if Coaxial can do Dolby True HD and DTS-HD) but I feel like opitcal has better quality.
2.) The best path between to points is a straight line. So yes, its the best if connect your TV directly to the source but you will most likely not see reduction in video quality if you use the receiver as an HDMI switcher(works great for me).
3.) All HDMI cables can support 1080P. HDMI cables are usually spec at a max of 15ft but you can usually get to 30ft before you need to install some sort of repeater or relay. The guy at the store was BS'ing you telling you that Monstercable is the best. Monstercable is overprice equipment and you can find cheaper and BETTER alternatives online for a fraction of the cost. I use $25 dollar HDMI cables I found online.
4.) see the bottom of question 1 :-)
hope this helps!