HDMI Splitter or Cables not passing DD

[Go Blue]

I have the splitter below splitting the signal from my Direct HD DVR to both my TV and my receiver. When going to my receiver, Dolby Digital is not being passed. What is more likely to be the problem, the splitter or the cables?

http://firefold.com/1X2-HDMI-Splitter-P430C134.aspx

[un4gvn94538]

i would take the splitter out and use one cable and see if it works. then use the other. if they both work its not the cable

[DavePS3]

I've been playing a bit with different splitters, D.A.'s and many don't want to pass the audio especially HD audio. When I contact the suppliers like Geffen, PureLink etc., they say all the specs are there... the audio has to pass but as we all know with HDMI/HDCP... nothing is certain and many boxes just wont pass anything other than stereo or Pro-Logic. The companies don't know what the problem is but I can tell you this... almost none of the box manufacturers seem to actually test their units on HD audio. They don't have the receivers and HD-Audio capable sources. They all test for version 1.3 HDMI video but I still can'r fine one that actually admits they physically try HD audio through their boxes. Some boxes pass it like one of the Marantz units but I suspect it's just be accident or... Marantz has actually tested since they produce their own receivers and BD players. ...probably not MAKE them but they produce them.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by DavePS3

I've been playing a bit with different splitters, D.A.'s and many don't want to pass the audio especially HD audio. When I contact the suppliers like Geffen, PureLink etc., they say all the specs are there... the audio has to pass but as we all know with HDMI/HDCP... nothing is certain and many boxes just wont pass anything other than stereo or Pro-Logic. The companies don't know what the problem is but I can tell you this... almost none of the box manufacturers seem to actually test their units on HD audio. They don't have the receivers and HD-Audio capable sources. They all test for version 1.3 HDMI video but I still can'r fine one that actually admits they physically try HD audio through their boxes. Some boxes pass it like one of the Marantz units but I suspect it's just be accident or... Marantz has actually tested since they produce their own receivers and BD players. ...probably not MAKE them but they produce them.

Yeah, I knew HD audio would be iffy with them, but DD 5.1? I am suprised this is an issue. I got the splitter to fix a video issue with component cables, but now I have a minor audio issue. I wonder if I should get the new one from monoprice.

[My_Two_Cents]

I'm no expert, but doesn't HDMI audio "downgrade" to the lowest common denominator? By that, I mean if it detects a device not capable of playing a codec, it will only send the codec that can be played. It's no different than if you run HDMI through an AVR to a TV. If you have the AVR set to pass through the audio, you will not get anything better than 2-channel stereo (which is what the TV can accept). Turn off the audio-out, and you'll get DD, DTS, etc...

In your case, it "sees" the TV, and will not send anything other than what your set can accept. Disconnect the cable to the TV, and I bet you'll get your DD back.

It's not the splitter or the cables, it's how HDMI works.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I'm no expert, but doesn't HDMI audio "downgrade" to the lowest common denominator? By that, I mean if it detects a device not capable of playing a codec, it will only send the codec that can be played. It's no different than if you run HDMI through an AVR to a TV. If you have the AVR set to pass through the audio, you will not get anything better than 2-channel stereo (which is what the TV can accept). Turn off the audio-out, and you'll get DD, DTS, etc...

In your case, it "sees" the TV, and will not send anything other than what your set can accept. Disconnect the cable to the TV, and I bet you'll get your DD back.

It's not the splitter or the cables, it's how HDMI works.

I did not know that.

I will try that tonight, but is there any other way for me to get around this problem?

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I'm no expert, but doesn't HDMI audio "downgrade" to the lowest common denominator? By that, I mean if it detects a device not capable of playing a codec, it will only send the codec that can be played. It's no different than if you run HDMI through an AVR to a TV. If you have the AVR set to pass through the audio, you will not get anything better than 2-channel stereo (which is what the TV can accept). Turn off the audio-out, and you'll get DD, DTS, etc...

In your case, it "sees" the TV, and will not send anything other than what your set can accept. Disconnect the cable to the TV, and I bet you'll get your DD back.

It's not the splitter or the cables, it's how HDMI works.

You were exactly right. I disconnected the HDMI going to the TV from the splitter, and Dolby Digital popped up on my receiver. When I plugged it back in, it went back to a 2ch matrix.