Quick question on TV xbox and receiver sound connection

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podrae

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#220234 1-Aug-2017 17:42

Hi guys

Ive googled around but havent been able to find a straight answer on this one.

I have a Sony TV that has optical out connected to my pioneer receiver. This appears to give me 5.1 from freeview which is good. My question is, my Xbox one is plugged into the tv via HDMI and not directly into the amp so sound goes out the xbox, through the tv and out the optical to amp.

Will I get proper surround sound this way or will I need it connected separately to a different channel on amp?

rscole86

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#1835128 1-Aug-2017 17:57

What is the make/model of the TV? If there is a setting, it will mention either 'passthrough' for your amp to decode or there will be no setting which will mean it may just downmix to two channels.

It is always best to have all peripherals go into the amp, then the amp passes the video to the TV.

podrae

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#1835133 1-Aug-2017 18:12

kdl 46ex720

I see it has an option to output to external speakers

toejam316

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#1835136 1-Aug-2017 18:25

You won't get 5.1 PCM (or anything above 2ch bitstream IIRC) out of it, at best you'll get 5.1ch dolby or 2ch PCM, you're much better off using HDMI passthrough with the receiver.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

podrae

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#1835138 1-Aug-2017 18:28

Ok so I have set the xbox to output dolby digital through hdmi and the tv to "external receiver" and it looks like the amp is picking up a dolby signal through freeview and netflix on xbox so I guess thats a win? it sounds pretty good.

podrae

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#1835140 1-Aug-2017 18:30

I guess I could go with the passthrough receiver route if need be but 5.1 dolby is what im after isnt it? sorry I havent played with sound like this since I had a HIFI vcr lol

toejam316

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#1835282 1-Aug-2017 21:33

So basically, HDMI lets alternative audio formats like uncompressed 5.1ch and the newer Dolby formats through, whereas Optical only does some of the more basic Dolby formats in 5.1ch and the rest in 2ch uncompressed.

HDMI audio is the better option, but use whatever suits you, if you're not an audio fiend you probably won't notice/care.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.