Do Sky HD boxes output 5.1 sound over HDMI yet?

[MikeyBlu]

Hi all,
The title say it all - I gather that older boxes only o/p 5.1 sound via the optical output. Has this changed, or does anyone know if it will change any time soon?

 

[Sorreltiger]

You need an optical cable to send Dolby Digital 5.1 sound from your Sky box to your amp. I have heard nothing about this being changed.

 

[andy1249]

As far as I know this wont change without a hardware change, and this is unlikely as all existing customers would be insisting on a box update.

 

[MikeyBlu]

Hmm yes, I don't doubt that existing boxes will not be updatable. But surely Sky will have to eventually bring out a new generation box?

 

[GasDad]

Hmm yes, I don't doubt that existing boxes will not be updatable. But surely Sky will have to eventually bring out a new generation box?

It's hardly a major issue is it?

 

[derek500]

As far as I know this wont change without a hardware change, and this is unlikely as all existing customers would be insisting on a box update.

I would reckon only a minority of Sky HD users use an amp for their sound and of those that do, quite a few wouldn't have an HDMI input on their amp.

Are there any amps that only accept HDMI and not optical?

 

[William YZF-R1]

Are there any amps that only accept HDMI and not optical?

Probably not, but just in case you are maxed out, the newer HD boxes do have a Coax Digital output too. Spoilt for choice.

 

[simon194]

Hmm yes, I don't doubt that existing boxes will not be updatable. But surely Sky will have to eventually bring out a new generation box?

Sky have already said the current boxes are incapable of doing 5.1 over HDMI.

For me it's not an issue unless Sky intend to start broadcasting HD audio which is probably unlikely anytime soon.

 

[paul r s78]

I would reckon only a minority of Sky HD users use an amp for their sound and of those that do, quite a few wouldn't have an HDMI input on their amp.

Are there any amps that only accept HDMI and not optical?

ive got the bose lifestyle 30 unit.

this has everything inputting and then a HDMI out to the tv. ive not got the optical cable plugged in.
does this mean ive not got 5.1 sound when watching sky ?

is there anyway of checking ?

 

[Tony Hoyle]

ive got the bose lifestyle 30 unit.

this has everything inputting and then a HDMI out to the tv. ive not got the optical cable plugged in.
does this mean ive not got 5.1 sound when watching sky ?

is there anyway of checking ?

You are not getting 5.1 sound, unless your amp is doing Prologic decoding of the stereo signal (which is vastly inferior to true 5.1).

Connect the optical cable.

 

[paul r s78]

just have done.
is there a set up channel on sky to find out everything is as it should be ?

 

[Tony Hoyle]

Find a channel currently broadcasting DD (the BBC HD preview loop is good for that, or any of the HD film channels), and check your amp. Most amps have an indication they're getting a DD signal somewhere.

 

[MikeyBlu]

The reason I asked is because it's a limitation of my Surround system (Sony HT-IS100) that it won't allow you to configure it to accept video from HDMI and audio from Optical - it wants both to be delivered on the HDMI input.

Most people with this system work around this by connecting the video direct to the TV via HDMI, and the audio via Optical to the HT-IS100. This is OK but it's not then possible to get the relevant inputs to be automatically selected by the CEC remote switching - there has to be an element of human intervention which my wife, bless her, will never get the hang of!

 

[mitchec1]

The reason I asked is because it's a limitation of my Surround system (Sony HT-IS100) that it won't allow you to configure it to accept video from HDMI and audio from Optical - it wants both to be delivered on the HDMI input.

Most people with this system work around this by connecting the video direct to the TV via HDMI, and the audio via Optical to the HT-IS100. This is OK but it's not then possible to get the relevant inputs to be automatically selected by the CEC remote switching - there has to be an element of human intervention which my wife, bless her, will never get the hang of!

Yep I know where your coming from that's why I've got a Harmony remote it makes the wife's life and therefore mine easier

 

[simon194]

Yep I know where your coming from that's why I've got a Harmony remote it makes the wife's life and therefore mine easier

What would life be like without Harmony remotes???

 

[andy1249]

What would life be like without Harmony remotes???

So Wife friendly I cant get the damn thing off her !

 

[mowbz]

Awesome guys, just spent a kings ransom on a Harmon Kardon AVR460 and a set of Kef IQ90/60/30 but couldn't quite work out why the surround just didn't seem right, didn't know the sky HD box couldn't output 5.1 through HDMI. I connected via optical and now it's even telling me when it's getting a DD signal. I would have never have been any the wiser without this thread. AV Forums and it's infinite wisdom saves the day again, i'm even enjoying the adverts now!!!

Thanks to all