AVForums

Our philosophy in our forums, reviews, podcasts and feature videos is to promote audio and visual excellence by gathering and sharing the best information and resources available.

Help

To begin please visit our help section »

Not a Member Yet?

It only takes a minute to start enjoying the benefits of AVForums membership, and it's free!

Member Log in

HDMI sound when using Optical link

Post Reply
Old 20-07-2008, 12:50 PM   #1
Member
 
Ian Dudley's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2006
Experience Points:
4,662, Level: 16
Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16
Activity: 41.6%
Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6%
Thanks: Gave 64, Got 78
Posts: 736
HDMI sound when using Optical link

If I connect my V+ box (which I dont have yet) to my TV using HDMI, I know that to get Dolby Digital to my old (non HDMI) amp I'll need to use the optical link and select HDMI overide on the box. However, if I do that, does it then disable the standard PCM stereo output over the HDMI link to the TV?

I know that standard audio will also be sent via the Optical, but it would be neater if when watching normal TV I could set the amp to the TV input rather than having to specify the optical input from the V+. That sort of thing is easier for guests, etc as well, as they can then swap between any input to the TV without having to faff about with the amp as well, or just use the TV speakers for that matter.
  Quote
Old 20-07-2008, 1:00 PM   #2
Illustrious Member
 
Badger0-0's Avatar
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spaghetti Junction (really)
Experience Points:
43,316, Level: 50
Points: 43,316, Level: 50 Points: 43,316, Level: 50 Points: 43,316, Level: 50
Activity: 85.5%
Activity: 85.5% Activity: 85.5% Activity: 85.5%
Thanks: Gave 467, Got 1,880
Posts: 19,770
Re: HDMI sound when using Optical link

Your amp should automatically switch between PL (11) and DD, so you won't have to mess with settings.

Not sure if that is what you mean though
  Quote
Old 20-07-2008, 1:05 PM   #3
Member
 
Ian Dudley's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2006
Experience Points:
4,662, Level: 16
Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16
Activity: 41.6%
Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6%
Thanks: Gave 64, Got 78
Posts: 736
Re: HDMI sound when using Optical link

Quote:
Originally Posted by Badger0-0 View Post
Your amp should automatically switch between PL (11) and DD, so you won't have to mess with settings.

Not sure if that is what you mean though
I know the amp will deal with it. What I mean is that I'll have stereo link from the TV to the amp seperately from the optical from the V+. When i have guests using the TV (e.g. a babysitter), its easier to set the amp to the TV and not try to explain the different audio inputs to them if they want to switch between cable, DVD, Xbox, bulit in TV tuner, etc.

But that will only work if the stereo signal over HDMI isn't disabled when the optical audio is switched on. I can't see any reason why it would be disabled, but that doesnt seem to have stopped VM in the past!

It's not a huge issue, if it is disabled I can just switch off the optical audio when a guest is using the system, but it would be nice if I didnt have to.
  Quote
Old 20-07-2008, 1:21 PM   #4
Illustrious Member
 
Badger0-0's Avatar
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spaghetti Junction (really)
Experience Points:
43,316, Level: 50
Points: 43,316, Level: 50 Points: 43,316, Level: 50 Points: 43,316, Level: 50
Activity: 85.5%
Activity: 85.5% Activity: 85.5% Activity: 85.5%
Thanks: Gave 467, Got 1,880
Posts: 19,770
Re: HDMI sound when using Optical link

Just tried it and you'll be happy to know HDMI override on or off makes no difference with sound over the telly on ITV.
Strange, as I thought that was the whole point
  Quote
Thanks from:
Ian Dudley (20-07-2008)
Old 20-07-2008, 1:39 PM   #5
Member
 
Ian Dudley's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2006
Experience Points:
4,662, Level: 16
Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16
Activity: 41.6%
Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6%
Thanks: Gave 64, Got 78
Posts: 736
Re: HDMI sound when using Optical link

Quote:
Originally Posted by Badger0-0 View Post
Just tried it and you'll be happy to know HDMI override on or off makes no difference with sound over the telly on ITV.
Strange, as I thought that was the whole point
Cool, cheers for that. Does rather beg the question of why bother to have it as a switchable option anyway? But then from reading through all the 'idiots guide' stuff, logic doesnt always seem to be at the forefront of VMs decisions!
  Quote
Old 21-07-2008, 9:49 AM   #6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kent
Experience Points:
11,626, Level: 25
Points: 11,626, Level: 25 Points: 11,626, Level: 25 Points: 11,626, Level: 25
Activity: 1.5%
Activity: 1.5% Activity: 1.5% Activity: 1.5%
Thanks: Gave 128, Got 161
Posts: 1,307
Re: HDMI sound when using Optical link

Does it work back to front i.e. turn on/off the optical rather than disable the HDMI?
  Quote
Old 21-07-2008, 9:58 AM   #7
Member
 
Ian Dudley's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2006
Experience Points:
4,662, Level: 16
Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16 Points: 4,662, Level: 16
Activity: 41.6%
Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6% Activity: 41.6%
Thanks: Gave 64, Got 78
Posts: 736
Re: HDMI sound when using Optical link

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spod View Post
Does it work back to front i.e. turn on/off the optical rather than disable the HDMI?
If the HDMI isn't disabled (although it might disable DD via HDMI while leaving the stereo mix) then this is the only function that option can have. Which seems a bit superfluous, why not just leave the optical feed going all the time?
  Quote
Old 21-07-2008, 11:12 AM   #8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kent
Experience Points:
11,626, Level: 25
Points: 11,626, Level: 25 Points: 11,626, Level: 25 Points: 11,626, Level: 25
Activity: 1.5%
Activity: 1.5% Activity: 1.5% Activity: 1.5%
Thanks: Gave 128, Got 161
Posts: 1,307
Re: HDMI sound when using Optical link

Maybe VM are looking to save the environment by reducing stray light signals
  Quote
Post Reply



Thread information and display options
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off