A/V Receiver HDMI audio conundrum...

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › A/V Receiver HDMI audio conundrum...

WalkToFreedom

11 posts

Geek

#24748 1-Aug-2008 13:45

Hi all. I need a bit of advice in setting up my simple home theatre, which includes:

Panasonic 42" PY800 1080p Plasma

Sony PS3

My Sky HDi

A/V receiver & speakers (yet to be purchased)

Ok. So the way I see it is, the last thing I need is the A/V receiver. I'm not an expert all things A/V and this the first time I'm setting up something like this. I've run the cables for the speakers (4 in each corner) so my audio system will be the standard 5.1 I believe?

My understanding is, I connect the PS3 which I will use to run DVD/Blue-ray etc via HDMI to the receiver. I also connect the MySky HDi via HDMI to the receiver and then I go 'OUT' to the tv via HDMI from the receiver and I can switch between the two via the receiver.

Now what's got me confused is the audio part. The guy at Harvey Norman where I bought my TV told me that I should go directly to the TV from the PS3 using the HDMI cable and use a digital audio cable from the ps3 to the receiver. Then a guy at work told me (who is an A/V buff) that I should go directly into the receiver (like I had originally thought) and then 'OUT' to the tv as HDMI audio is far superior to digital and that doing it the Harvey Norman way I couldn't take advantage of the latest codec’s etc.

Well after some research I found out that some receivers don't pass-through/decode (not sure about the correct term) the audio! So basically where I'm at is I'm not sure what receiver to buy. I need an inexpensive solution as I'm already in the dog house for buying such an expensive telly. I was looking at the Yamaha YHT-195 HTiB (uses HTR-6130 receiver) as I need the speakers too, it supports two HDMI in and one out which is what I need? But after reading the fine print I noticed on the HDMI switching part it says doesn't support audio signal!?)

So how do I go about solving this audio problem?, would I lose anything using the optical cables and not the HDMI? I find it a bit annoying that I should have to use other cables as I thought the idea of HDMI is to have once cable for all? Or do I have to buy an expensive receiver that supports HDMI audio aswell?

Your help would be much appreciated!

stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#153311 1-Aug-2008 14:05

Welcome to the Forum....You seem to have got your head around the basic issues.

If you want to enjoy high definition audio from your PS3 playing Blu-ray you need a receiver that will do audio over HDMI. Specifically for the PS3 that is LPCM audio streams as the PS3 can't bitstream the high-def. sound formats.

Unfortunately this level of receivers is still a bit expensive, around the $1000 mark give or take . The Yamaha RX-V563 is an example of a receiver that does HDMI audio via LPCM for high-def. The next model up, the 663, does full bitstream.

Like all things it's a trade off for features versus cost. You might consider getting a cheaper receiver that does 5.1 over s/pdif (maybe second hand) for a few years and then getting an HDMI receiver when prices fall. You'd still get most of the enjoyment of the multi-channel sound .

Incidentally the My Sky HDi only does 5.1 audio via s/pdif (optical or co-ax) and not HDMI , though it is expected in future firmware upgrades.

WalkToFreedom

11 posts

Geek

#153379 1-Aug-2008 16:55

Thanks for your reply stuzzo. So if I understand you correctly a possible set up for me using the AVR that I'm looking at (Yamaha HTR-6130) would be HMDI from MySKY HDi for video and digital optical for audio to the receiver? The same for the PS3. Would this still give me the 5.1 surround sound? Then I would only need the one HDMI cable to the tv and use the switching feature of the AVR? The reason why I'm looking at the YHT-195 is beause it includes speakers aswell. My budget is around $1000 so if anyone has any advice on a setup that would suit me please let me know.

stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#153389 1-Aug-2008 17:25

Yes, that will give you 5.1 or whatever the source is outputting.

Don't have a lot of knowledge of what's available in that price range but I would imagine you would be able to get a reasonable receiver and speaker package for that budget.

WalkToFreedom

11 posts

Geek

#153944 4-Aug-2008 09:07

Thanks for the info stuzzo. I'm going to do some more research.

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#154232 5-Aug-2008 10:46

Do many of the AV receivers in the mid range (1-2k) support HDMI/HDCP (eg passthrough protected content)?

Also is it best to have the upscaler in the receiver or rely on passthrough to the TV (eg if providing only a 1080i or 720p signal to receiver, should it perform upscale to 1080p or let the TV process it)

Also does this mean that I can take various inputs (even SD - Composite/RCA, SVideo) and output to TV with single HDMI Cable rather than having to match various inputs outputs

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#154233 5-Aug-2008 10:49

WalkToFreedom: I'm looking at the YHT-195 is beause it includes speakers aswell. My budget is around $1000 so if anyone has any advice on a setup that would suit me please let me know.

Noticed the following difference in:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/992253.html

The receiver(RX-V363) in the YHT-195 package only supports video switching over HDMI audio is not supported over
HDMI, a separate connection(optical-coax) is required for audio.

The receiver in the YHT-295(RX-V463) does support audio over HDMI.

WalkToFreedom

11 posts

Geek

#154253 5-Aug-2008 11:35

Hi MattD thanks for your comments and the link to the thread. That's right, the receiver with the YHT-195 does NOT support audio over HDMI. You can only use the receiver for HDMI video switching.

From my research, there seems to be various levels of HDMI support. It's looking like most lower end receivers only support DVI and not the audio stream via HDMI. Which means you would need to input the audio via optial or coax.

I'm no expert but I'm guessing that any AVR that has HDMI support would support HDCP?

For my setup I'm using my PS3 as the upscaler. I imagine if you have a AVR that does upscaling any SD source would be output as HD.

From what I've read this is a couple of the main differences between low end and higher end AVRs. Upscaling and HDMI audio support.

Remember I'm a total newbie so don't take what I say as the b-all.

During my research I found the Marantz SR4001 which seems to be interesting for only $895.

Any comments on this AVR?

Check out the listing on trademe:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Amplifiers-tuners/auction-169534922.htm

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stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#154255 5-Aug-2008 11:38

MattD: Do many of the AV receivers in the mid range (1-2k) support HDMI/HDCP (eg passthrough protected content)?
Also is it best to have the upscaler in the receiver or rely on passthrough to the TV (eg if providing only a 1080i or 720p signal to receiver, should it perform upscale to 1080p or let the TV process it)
Also does this mean that I can take various inputs (even SD - Composite/RCA, SVideo) and output to TV with single HDMI Cable rather than having to match various inputs outputs

All current HDMI receivers being marketed support HDCP. Probably the only area to watch would be some of the earlier ones that had DVI. The higher spec'd receivers might do a better job of upscaling but marginal. I guess the 720p/1080i upscaling to 1080p will be an area of some interest now with the introduction of HD.

If receivers support upconversion(transcoding) you could use just one HDMI cable to the TV. My experience is they do a pretty good job of this. No HDMI receivers downconvert to SD (with the possible exception of one high-end unit which I think can downscale to SD for multi-room).

WalkTOFREEDOM: Marantz is a good brand and the Yamaha RX-V463 does support audio over HDMI (LPCM) as MattD pointed out so were down to the $900 mark....cold comfort!

WalkToFreedom

11 posts

Geek

#154259 5-Aug-2008 11:47

MattD:
Also does this mean that I can take various inputs (even SD - Composite/RCA, SVideo) and output to TV with single HDMI Cable rather than having to match various inputs outputs

I just read that this is possible but you will need and AVR that can convert the analogue signal to digital. The AVR in the system I am looking at only offers switching/pass through of HDMI signals.

WalkToFreedom

11 posts

Geek

#154271 5-Aug-2008 12:23

The more I read the more annoyed I'm getting it reminds me when HD lcd/plasmas came out. 'HD ready' does not mean 1080p. Same with AVRs that have HDMI connections. It seems to me that there are two options. Fork out the $$$ and buy a AVR that supports everything, (HD audio codecs, upscaling, conversion etc) or wait to buy one when they all do.

gazza007

39 posts

Geek

#154384 5-Aug-2008 16:57

Hi,

I was in a similar situation,bought a Yamaha RX-V663,it outputs my PS3,Sky decoder(pace one,MySky HDi arrives Thursday night),Component-Out video,etc all through 1 HDMI to my plasma fine.It was about $1400 though!Only thing is the PS3 can't bitstream HD audio,has to decode it itself and then output it as PCM audio-sounds good,just doesn't make all the True-HD and DTS lights on the amp light up though!Also I think you need to connect MySky to receiver with digital audio/Toslink cable to get Dolby sound?So what I'm trying to say (I'm new too) is YES,hook it all to your A/V Amp,1 HDMI out is all you should need!

WalkToFreedom

11 posts

Geek

#154486 5-Aug-2008 22:14

gazza007:
Hi,
I was in a similar situation,bought a Yamaha RX-V663,it outputs my PS3,Sky decoder(pace one,MySky HDi arrives Thursday night),Component-Out video,etc all through 1 HDMI to my plasma fine.It was about $1400 though!Only thing is the PS3 can't bitstream HD audio,has to decode it itself and then output it as PCM audio-sounds good,just doesn't make all the True-HD and DTS lights on the amp light up though!Also I think you need to connect MySky to receiver with digital audio/Toslink cable to get Dolby sound?So what I'm trying to say (I'm new too) is YES,hook it all to your A/V Amp,1 HDMI out is all you should need!

Thanks for the info gazza007. It's a bit out of my price range but if I'm feeling wealthy I know what one that would do exactly what I need!

argo

87 posts

Master Geek

#158436 20-Aug-2008 18:22

Hi WalkToFreedom

Just wondering if you made a decision or found more info - I have the same conundrum.

Cheers