Advice : Connecting Netflix to Hometheatre AMP ? Does it work ?

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afe66

2211 posts

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# 143113 3-Apr-2014 18:59

Dear All,

Currently I watch Netflix using internet explorer on my W7 pc via Witopia VPN (Vodafone) and get ?3.1 sound (cant be bothered reconnecting the rears) via analogue connections to an old 5.1 pc speaker system from 2003 or connect a Apple laptop from 2010 via HDMI to Denon amp (stereo only according to the front of the amp)

I'm contemplating building a htpc and would like to output the audio via HDMI to my Denon x3000 which is compatible with the DD+ which Netflix uses I think.

What is the experience of the masses ? Does 5.1 or DD+ work in reality ? What hardware are people using ? (Download speeds shouldn't be a problem.)

A.

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

# 1018086 3-Apr-2014 20:20

I have no issues with netflix 5.1 running out of xbox 360 (hdmi) into TV and the optical out to my HT.

Regs

Cloud Guru
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Snowflake

Subscriber

# 1018168 3-Apr-2014 23:43

not sure if the position has changed, but the xbox used to be the only way to stream with DD: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-pictures/how-do-i-enable-51-surround-sound-when-watching/78b170a5-4e67-4271-bc51-ebf64144a24c

EDIT: my Win 7 MCE (media center) running Netflix outputs PCM to the amp over toslink digital, so definitely no DD here :(

geekiegeek

2296 posts

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# 1018188 4-Apr-2014 06:37

I think you will find that the best streaming experience will be with a dedicated device, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fyre, PS3 or Xbox 360. I personally have an HTPC for downloaded movies/TV and Freeview with an Apple TV3 for streaming Netflix and Hulu. All hooked up to AV receiver and controlled by a single Logitech remote. I doubt you will find any HTPC software that will play Netflix/Hulu without either losing quality (i.e. no 5.1) or having to drop back to the desktop.

The dream of one box to rule them all is exactly that, a dream.

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afe66

2211 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

# 1018477 4-Apr-2014 12:51

Thanks for the inputs.

Does the Apple tv output the netflix/hulu in 5.1 ? DD+ ?

Do any of the dedicated streaming boxes allow me to cache for subequent watch of iPlayer ? a windows based setup will allow me to download bbc content overnigth and stream from its hard drive. (Streaming from the US is fine but cant get good rates from the uk hence the iplayer offline option appeals)

Do the plex clients on these devices output to an AV amp in 5.1 if the original file has ac3 ? Rasplex cant at the moment and neither does xbmc on pi.

So cant get netflix 5.1 from a browser under windows 7? I see the "App" for W8 has it if you get it from the (US) store. Presumable I have to register my copy of W8 to the US too.

A.

(At the end of the day I have a virgin US Roku3 still in its box which I have never opened - trying to avoid fiddling with DNS as I am on vodafone and there are too many postings of difficulties. )

trig42

Banana?
4904 posts

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# 1018515 4-Apr-2014 13:44

I have an AppleTV, connected via Optical, a Samsung TV, connected via Optical and a MySky, connected via Coax to a Bose Lifestyle HT system.

All three, if given a DD source, will give me true 5.1 - the HT tells me if it is PCM or DD5.1, and I have seen it from Plex on the Samsung, Netflix on the ATV and of course the HD channels on Sky.

jonathan18

4339 posts

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# 1018521 4-Apr-2014 14:04

Our Apple TV is connected to our 7.1 receiver via HDMI; we get DD from Netflix (when available, of course). This was one of the reasons I went with an Apple TV, and use it for Netflix over using the Mac Mini we have set up with the same TV as a HTPC. Totally happy with the sound and PQ from it.