Need more Optical Audio IN's or some other solution - Blu-ray Forum

crypted · 02-21-2010, 10:17 PM

Okay, I've been trying to decide how to resolve my conflict. Currently, I have the following setup:

Receiver: SONY STR-K790
Blurray: PS3
1080p Computer
DishHD Receiver
Toshiba 1080p 3x hdmi

The Sony is powered as such:
1x optical in - PS3
1x digital coax - 1080p PC
RCA stereo - DishHD Receiver

I'd like to get all of the audio digitalized. The receiver and the TV both have optical audio OUT's to be connected to a receiver.

I'm wondering if there is some method to combine the outputs to automatically switch between Optical Audio feeds depending on device usage. I would like to be able to have 3x digital opticals combined.

Or, is there another CHEAP receiver I should use?

I can't rely on HDMI audio and drop them down from the TV as it seems to not allow passthru of all channels and only supports Dolby and PCM, no DTS.

emoxley · 02-21-2010, 10:33 PM

If you have an HDMI v.1.3a repeater receiver, the HDMI supports all audio, including Dolby TrueHD and dtsHD Master Audio. The cheapest receiver I know of that can handle all this is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR507...794789&sr=1-10 Very nice receiver for the money.

You can get an optical switch cheap: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 But, if you can afford it, you'll be much happier with the Onkyo receiver. It decodes the HD audio formats from blu ray movies, which isn't possible over optical or digital coax. It also has the Audyssey feature which is great.

crypted · 02-21-2010, 10:49 PM

Can the audio between normal Dolby/DTS that my optical feeds supply be that different from DolbyHD/DTS-HD?

jlafrenz · 02-21-2010, 11:02 PM

Are you trying to connect both the TV and Dish Network to the receiver? If so, there is no real purpose in this because two of the connections would be the exact same thing.

crypted · 02-21-2010, 11:06 PM

Well I have an OTA antenna with a bunch of HD channels around here. But that isn't of major importance.

If I were to buy that TX-SR507, I foresee one delima. My 1080p PC uses a digital coax out and a DVI-to-HDMI cable. So, I would lose the HDMI audio if I were to plug it through. When I would switch to the PC HDMI, the audio wouldn't be present unless one of the DIGITAL slots could be programmed to correspond with an HDMI input?

slaizer2000 · 02-21-2010, 11:09 PM

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

not automatic as you have to manually switch the selector but does the trick, 3 in 1 out or vice versa

crypted · 02-21-2010, 11:13 PM

That would require not being lazy. haha! Hmm... If I were to upgrade to a better receiver, I'd have to resolve the HDMI audio issue with that PC. Or, take the cheap route and do a manual selector...

I just wonder how noticeable the audio difference would be...

slaizer2000 · 02-21-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crypted

That would require not being lazy. haha! Hmm... If I were to upgrade to a better receiver, I'd have to resolve the HDMI audio issue with that PC. Or, take the cheap route and do a manual selector...

I just wonder how noticeable the audio difference would be...

i also just noticed i didn't read and someone already gave that solution, duh....

rkolinski · 02-21-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crypted

Can the audio between normal Dolby/DTS that my optical feeds supply be that different from DolbyHD/DTS-HD?

All I can say is YES, the DolbyHD/DTS-HD provided over HDMI and then decoded internally by a capable receiver is very different from the audio you will receive via fiber optic/digital coaxial cable and at least IMHO, the audio difference is significantly better via HDMI! Hope this helps but you will find more extensive threads here at blu-ray.com which deal with these differences.

crypted · 02-21-2010, 11:24 PM

Sweet. Well, can anyone confirm if the mentioned receiver can handle linking a digital coax input with a hdmi for audio?

My PC has a DVI-to-HDMI out so no AUDIO is on that feed. To get audio, I have a SPDIF/coax output that sends it to the current receiver.

If the receiver can't combine those two cables into one for handling HDMI switching, then I'm SOL and will have to replace my video card to resolve that dilemma.

I wouldn't mind that receiver, but if it would require an extra $100 to get everything to conform, that sucks.

slaizer2000 · 02-21-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crypted

Sweet. Well, can anyone confirm if the mentioned receiver can handle linking a digital coax input with a hdmi for audio?

My PC has a DVI-to-HDMI out so no AUDIO is on that feed. To get audio, I have a SPDIF/coax output that sends it to the current receiver.

If the receiver can't combine those two cables into one for handling HDMI switching, then I'm SOL and will have to replace my video card to resolve that dilemma.

I wouldn't mind that receiver, but if it would require an extra $100 to get everything to conform, that sucks.

You could get a multimedia video/sound card for pc to work properly. I however connected my co-ax audio out to the co-ax on my receiver (onkyo 705) and then ran my dvi to hdmi for video directly into the dvi/hdmi 3 on my Tv. Since most all your video/sound feed will go to your receiver and your receiver will run 1 hdmi out to your Tv, you should still have 2 hdmi in free on your TV.

Not 100% sure if you can link an optical or coax audio input on receiver to act as sound in conjunction with a specific hdmi input.

With a universal remote all the switching to the right inputs would be automatic, or lazy-azz from the couch with the remotes.

jlafrenz · 02-22-2010, 01:02 AM

Many receivers and source units allow you to use HDMI and some other type of digital connection for audio. It can be set up in the settings menu.

I just looked at this receiver... I would suggest that it's time be be movin' on up to a newer unit. It would give you so much more flexibility and connectivity options.

crypted · 02-22-2010, 02:14 AM

Yeah. I think I'll buy that suggested Onkyo TX-SR507 unless anyone objects to that one?

Further, I found some about 100 bucks cheaper that are refurbished units. Any objections or disapproval's when getting those? Supposedly they were redone by Onkyo and have a warranty like the new one...

emoxley · 02-23-2010, 12:26 AM

You should be able to use HDMI for video and digital coax for audio, where needed. You set it up that way in the receiver's setup menus, for the inputs you want to use like that. Not hard to do. The manual will walk you through it........

crypted · 02-27-2010, 05:55 AM

Took y'alls advice. Bought the Onkyo TX-SR507 which will arrive Monday. In the mean time, I have been reading its manual.

It does not have the CODES for available use of the remote control with other device like an HD DISH Receiver, Toshiba LCD, etc...

How can one set this up? Where can I get the codes to see if it will work?

02-21-2010, 10:17 PM	#1
crypted Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Oklahoma	Need more Optical Audio IN's or some other solution Okay, I've been trying to decide how to resolve my conflict. Currently, I have the following setup: Receiver: SONY STR-K790 Blurray: PS3 1080p Computer DishHD Receiver Toshiba 1080p 3x hdmi The Sony is powered as such: 1x optical in - PS3 1x digital coax - 1080p PC RCA stereo - DishHD Receiver I'd like to get all of the audio digitalized. The receiver and the TV both have optical audio OUT's to be connected to a receiver. I'm wondering if there is some method to combine the outputs to automatically switch between Optical Audio feeds depending on device usage. I would like to be able to have 3x digital opticals combined. Or, is there another CHEAP receiver I should use? I can't rely on HDMI audio and drop them down from the TV as it seems to not allow passthru of all channels and only supports Dolby and PCM, no DTS. Last edited by crypted; 02-21-2010 at 10:25 PM.

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02-21-2010, 10:33 PM	#2
emoxley Active Member Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Eastern NC Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray collection:62 Trading Score:1	If you have an HDMI v.1.3a repeater receiver, the HDMI supports all audio, including Dolby TrueHD and dtsHD Master Audio. The cheapest receiver I know of that can handle all this is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR507...794789&sr=1-10 Very nice receiver for the money. You can get an optical switch cheap: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 But, if you can afford it, you'll be much happier with the Onkyo receiver. It decodes the HD audio formats from blu ray movies, which isn't possible over optical or digital coax. It also has the Audyssey feature which is great.

02-21-2010, 10:49 PM	#3
crypted Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Oklahoma	Can the audio between normal Dolby/DTS that my optical feeds supply be that different from DolbyHD/DTS-HD?

02-21-2010, 11:02 PM	#4
jlafrenz Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Columbia, MO Home Theater Gallery:48 Trading Score:4	Are you trying to connect both the TV and Dish Network to the receiver? If so, there is no real purpose in this because two of the connections would be the exact same thing.

02-21-2010, 11:06 PM	#5
crypted Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Oklahoma	Well I have an OTA antenna with a bunch of HD channels around here. But that isn't of major importance. If I were to buy that TX-SR507, I foresee one delima. My 1080p PC uses a digital coax out and a DVI-to-HDMI cable. So, I would lose the HDMI audio if I were to plug it through. When I would switch to the PC HDMI, the audio wouldn't be present unless one of the DIGITAL slots could be programmed to correspond with an HDMI input?

02-21-2010, 11:09 PM	#6
slaizer2000 Expert Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Mooresville, NC 4K collection:67 Blu-ray collection:1117 Trading Score:21	http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 not automatic as you have to manually switch the selector but does the trick, 3 in 1 out or vice versa

02-21-2010, 11:13 PM	#7
crypted Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Oklahoma	That would require not being lazy. haha! Hmm... If I were to upgrade to a better receiver, I'd have to resolve the HDMI audio issue with that PC. Or, take the cheap route and do a manual selector... I just wonder how noticeable the audio difference would be...

02-21-2010, 11:24 PM	#10
crypted Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Oklahoma	Sweet. Well, can anyone confirm if the mentioned receiver can handle linking a digital coax input with a hdmi for audio? My PC has a DVI-to-HDMI out so no AUDIO is on that feed. To get audio, I have a SPDIF/coax output that sends it to the current receiver. If the receiver can't combine those two cables into one for handling HDMI switching, then I'm SOL and will have to replace my video card to resolve that dilemma. I wouldn't mind that receiver, but if it would require an extra $100 to get everything to conform, that sucks.

02-22-2010, 01:02 AM	#12
jlafrenz Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Columbia, MO Home Theater Gallery:48 Trading Score:4	Many receivers and source units allow you to use HDMI and some other type of digital connection for audio. It can be set up in the settings menu. I just looked at this receiver... I would suggest that it's time be be movin' on up to a newer unit. It would give you so much more flexibility and connectivity options.

02-22-2010, 02:14 AM	#13
crypted Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Oklahoma	Yeah. I think I'll buy that suggested Onkyo TX-SR507 unless anyone objects to that one? Further, I found some about 100 bucks cheaper that are refurbished units. Any objections or disapproval's when getting those? Supposedly they were redone by Onkyo and have a warranty like the new one...

02-23-2010, 12:26 AM	#14
emoxley Active Member Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Eastern NC Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray collection:62 Trading Score:1	You should be able to use HDMI for video and digital coax for audio, where needed. You set it up that way in the receiver's setup menus, for the inputs you want to use like that. Not hard to do. The manual will walk you through it........

02-27-2010, 05:55 AM	#15
crypted Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Oklahoma	Took y'alls advice. Bought the Onkyo TX-SR507 which will arrive Monday. In the mean time, I have been reading its manual. It does not have the CODES for available use of the remote control with other device like an HD DISH Receiver, Toshiba LCD, etc... How can one set this up? Where can I get the codes to see if it will work?

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