Dolby 5.1 from the HDMI output Zinwell G7503?

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smbunn

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#33719 10-May-2009 22:37

I have recently upgraded my AV Amp. This one has HDMI inputs (Onkyo STR-606). In my old Sony set-up I used HDMI direct to my Panasonic Plasma, and optical to the SPDIF input on my Sony AV amp. Result full HD picture and 5.1 sound from TV 3. All confirmed by my dolby5.1 light coming on the amp when I switched to TV 3, and under the menu system listed as Dolby 5.1 on the amps display. Sounds great.

Now I have the Onkyo and the Zinwell HDMI output is only putting out PCM. I plugged in optical, its 5.1 Dolby, I plugged in coaxial, its also 5.1 Dolby, but the HDMI is only putting out PCM.

What gives?

My amp prioritises inputs so since if it sees an HDMI connection it uses only this for audio and video. I can connect optical but it ignores it. If I pull the HDMI cable the optical takes over and I have 5.1 sound which the amp indicates on its display (but of course no picture on the Panasonic).

How do I get 5.1 on the HDMI output of the Zinwell (DSE) G7503?

bazzer

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#213964 10-May-2009 23:33

Are you sure you can't tell your amp to use the optical for audio and HDMI for video only? You won't get 5.1 via HDMI from the Zinwell.

sbiddle

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#213983 11-May-2009 06:42

Virtually no STB's on the market support 5.1 via HDMI. Even MySky HDi is only 2ch PCM over HDMI and requires you to use the optical output for audio.

cyril7

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#213999 11-May-2009 08:03

There are no DVB chipsets on the planet that support AC3/DD over HDMI, why I dont know but thats simply how it is. It only seems BR that does that.

Cyril

Dingbatt

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#214001 11-May-2009 08:15

bazzer: Are you sure you can't tell your amp to use the optical for audio and HDMI for video only? You won't get 5.1 via HDMI from the Zinwell.

I have a TX-SR606, and yes you can set the priority so that it uses the coax/optical input instead of hdmi.
In the setup menu go to:
1.Input Assign - 3.Digital Audio Input
and change the selection to what ever optical/coax you have the stb plugged into.

I believe content providers have knobbled the stb manufacturers into not allowing dolby5.1 on to hdmi.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

smbunn

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#214003 11-May-2009 08:20

Dingbat

I saw that setting when I was trying to get it too work and changed it to optical. The amp still indicates PCM (since it appears to be using the HDMI audio feed), if I pull the HDMI the sound blanks for a second, then continues, but the display on the SR606 now reports Dolby 5.1, and sure sounds better!

Surely this indicates that its using HDMI even though the digital audio is selected as optical? If you look in the manual you will see that it prioritises inputs and will always take HDMI in preference to Optical, then Coax, then Analogue.

cyril7

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#214004 11-May-2009 08:24

I believe content providers have knobbled the stb manufacturers into not allowing dolby5.1 on to hdmi.

Yes of course, how silly of me as to think it was some technical reason that it should not work, forgot about politics :)

Cyril

Dingbatt

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#214005 11-May-2009 08:37

smbunn: Dingbat

I saw that setting when I was trying to get it too work and changed it to optical. The amp still indicates PCM (since it appears to be using the HDMI audio feed), if I pull the HDMI the sound blanks for a second, then continues, but the display on the SR606 now reports Dolby 5.1, and sure sounds better!

Surely this indicates that its using HDMI even though the digital audio is selected as optical? If you look in the manual you will see that it prioritises inputs and will always take HDMI in preference to Optical, then Coax, then Analogue.

I have MySkyHDi setup with optical providing the sound full time even though hdmi is plugged in, so the zinwell might operate slightly differently. But if you go to the front of the 606 itself and press the 'DIGITAL INPUT' button it should change from hdmi to digital and remember that setting for that input. Sorry I forgot that step in my previous post but it is a while since I set mine up.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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smbunn

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#214011 11-May-2009 09:15

I'll try that tonight. Thanks Dingbatt

smbunn

107 posts

Master Geek

#214219 11-May-2009 20:52

Dingbatt

Success. Tried the digital input button and it switched to optical. Powered the amp on and off a few times and it remembers this setting. All working. Thanks!