HDMI -> Analogue surround sound problem

[Alphathon]

Hi all. Not sure if this really belongs here, but couldn't think of anywhere better to post it. I will soon be getting a PS3 (within the month probably). I will be hooking it up to my PC monitor (which has a native res of 1920x1200, and HDCP compliant DVI-D) along side my PC using a HDMI switcher. So far so good.

The problem comes with the audio. I have a PC surround sound system which uses analogue connectors, so as it stands, I cannot connect it to the PS3. It seems stupid to have both a surround sound system and a Hi-def console (which will also be used for blu-rays) that aren't connected.

The plan I currently have is to use this: CLUX11SA HDMI Repeater - V1.3 with Audio Decoder to convert the linear PCM 5.1 stream from the HDMI connection into analogue audio. There are three problems with this though:
1 - My sound system has no volume control knob as it was designed to be used with a PC with volume control buttons on the keyboard and as AFAIK the PS3 has no volume control option other than for music playback, so everything would be at 100% all the time (trust me, this is FAR too loud)
2 - My PC would also need to use the speakers, so I would need to use some sort of switcher to do so, but I am yet to find one.
3 - The website states that it can handle resolutions up to 1080p, but I would need to go up to 1200p for the PC

I have come up with several partial solutions, but all solve one or two problems, while the other(s) remain. One is to connect the converter to the HDMI cable from the PS3 before it reaches the switcher, therefore cutting out the 1080p problem, but leaving the swithcer and knob problems. Another is to get an adapter which combines the 5.1 audio and the DVI from the PC into HDMI and then simply put the converter between the HDMI switch and the monitor, therefore cutting out the audio switch problem, but reintroducing the 1080p problem, and still doing nothing about the volume knob.

One way I thought of getting around both the 1080p and switcher issues was to split the HDMI output from the switch somewhow, and connect the audio adapter to one fork, and the monitor to the other, and use the same DVI-audio combiner thing from above to get around the switching (this would obviously get around the 1080p issue). The problem is, I don't know if such a device exists (I have seen some which do DVI+optical -> HDMI, and others which use COAX, but not analogue audio). Also I don't know of a splitter that wouldn't set me back more than I'm willing to spend (the HDMI->analogue adapter is pushing it, so I'd like to keep any additional cost to a minimum). I have seen simple splitters like this:

Amazon.co.uk: HDMI Splitter: Electronics & Photo but they don't look like they output to both at the same time. Again there is also still the volume issue.

Another option is to use simple cable splitters to connect both systems to the speakers, but that has its own issues (volume and quality loss, the fact that you can only have one system outputting at a time [tested it with my iPod on one of the jacks, and when the iPod is on the PC goes a lot quieter and the quality decreases even more, presumably because the signal is going into the iPod as well as the speakers]).

Yet another option is to get something like this: Your direct-distribution specialist for loudspeakers, home theatre, iPod and other audio systems and use it on the optical out, but that seems no better than placing the HDMI adapter before the switch, and would give worse quality, being a compressed format.

Here is a diagram of my current setup to give you an idea of what needs to be worked around

Any help to find an adequite solution would be much appreciated

P.S. Sorry for such a ridiculously long post

[davepuma]

HDMI v1.3 supports higher resolutions so you should be fine so I don't think you'll have any issues there. Just make sure everything is good quality (inc. cat2 cabling if you're using long lengths). There are good articles on HDMI at bluejeanscables.com and hdmi.org

I can't help feeling the way to solve this is simple. Bin that PC sound system. It is only designed to be used with the PC and it seems like you're looking for an overly complicated solution by investing ££ in switches, splitters etc. which could potentially add further problems.

Simply buy an AV receiver or home cinema system with sufficient inputs to handle your PC, future PS3 purchase and beyond (Xbox 360). If you want HD audio then you need an AV receiver that handles LPCM. The cheapest way to achieve this is something like the Sony HT-DDGW800 or HT-SF1300. However, the Yamaha AV63 should do the trick, it will handle the multi-channel audio output from the PC and DD5.1 from the PS3 via optical. You could add a bluray optical drive in the PC too and access the lossless audio tracks on bluray via multi-channel analogue and suitable software.

[Alphathon]

Originally Posted by davepuma

HDMI v1.3 supports higher resolutions so you should be fine so I don't think you'll have any issues there. Just make sure everything is good quality (inc. cat2 cabling if you're using long lengths).

Just because it is HDMI 1.3 does not meen it supports all of the features. It is rather woolly certification TBH. It is likelly, but as they don't state it you cannot be sure. I had a look at the pdf manual provided to see if there is any listing of supported resolutions, but all it says is it supports all Hi-def resolutions up to 1080p@(24/60)Hz. That was actually part of the reason I posted this (but forgot to actually ask outright) - does it support 1920x1200?

With regards to replacing the sound system, the answer is no. As I said the price of the adapter was pushing it a little, and its only £115 (plus £10 p+p). Spending £200-300+ just to get surround sound on the PS3 is too far for me. I've had to save up just to get the PS3 so spending the same amount again or even more just to get surround sound on it when I already have a surround system seems a tad stupid. Heck, I'd prefer to to just buy the HDMI adapter and BUILD a switcher and volume controller from scratch if I couldn't find them on sale (it might even be fun ). As much as I'd like a new system, I just can't justify the cost especially when I already have a perfectly good system (which still sounds brilliant dispite being about 5 years old and designed for PCs)

[davepuma]

To be fair, you did post this in the AV Receiver forum! Sorry but I don't see the point in investing £130 plus on adaptors and so on to hook up a new PS3 with HD audio capabilities to an old PC system. Fair enough if you're after a challenge and a DIY approach but personally I would save up a few quid and invest in a sound system that can handle your current and future needs rather than what I consider to be chucking good money after bad. After all, you mention connecting a Xbox360, how do you propose doing that? I have no idea how much your old PC system would be worth but selling it might raise a few quid towards a potential upgrade. What about a second hand AV receiver plus a set of Yamaha NS110 speakers (£50 from Peter Tyson)? Octava will be launching a unit that will take several HDMI inputs and convert the LPCM audio from HDMI to multi-channel audio (using BB DAC) and also switch an additional multi-channel audio input. This is aimed at people who have older high end non-HDMI amps and will cost around £290.

Good luck in finding a solution but sorry I've gone for the easy approach which may cost a few quid but tbh, I think would be worth it in the long run and probably save you money.

[Andy98765]

Agree with davepuma, it really does look like you are throwing money away buying loads of boxes to do what is basically a hash up.
Look at the Yamaha AV63 system.
2 opticals (5.1)
1 co-ax (5.1)
HDMI switching.
5.1 direct in for a PC.
Yamaha AV63

[Alphathon]

To be fair, you did post this in the AV Receiver forum!

True, and I would be quite willing to get a receiver if I could find one that didn't break the bank. In fact far more willing than I would to buying a whole new speaker system.

It may be a PC speaker set, but my existing system isn't half bad. It is a THX certified 5.1 system produced for Dell by Altec Lancing. Not being an audiophile I don't know what it all meens really, but the tech specs can be found here: Documentation...please let me know what it meens in real terms (the technophile and scientist in me knows what most of it meens technically, but I have no frame of reference).

If anyone can recommend a stand-alone reveiver that can do LPCM over HDMI (5.1 at least) and has analogue 5.1 out (i would be nice but is not required) that is either cheap or is likelly to be available second-hand (eBay) then I am all ears.

Also bear in mind that the PS3 can quite compitently decode all of the digital formats (HD or otherwise) so only PCM support is needed.

After all, you mention connecting a Xbox360, how do you propose doing that?

I don't know, and havn't looked into it really. I don't own one and don't know if I will get one. I believe the current ones can all output DD 5.1 over HDMI and Optical, but that is the limit of their capabilities (Passthru is also available on DTS from DVDs I think). I don't even know if I'll be getting one (I am simply contemplating it for the exclusives like Fable 2...I dont give a s*** about Gears Of War of Halo). Regardless of wether I get one or not, the adapter is capable of decoding DD 5.1 so there is no problem there.

[davepuma]

Look at the Yamaha range for budget receivers that can handle LPCM and have preouts (most if not all will have multi-channel inputs) so you can connect to an external amp. The Yamaha 761 springs to mind.