HDMI Splitter or Cables not passing DD - Blu-ray Forum

Go Blue · 01-12-2009, 03:12 PM

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 · 01-12-2009, 03:19 PM

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 · 01-12-2009, 03:36 PM

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 · 01-12-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

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 · 01-12-2009, 04:04 PM

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 · 01-12-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

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?

My_Two_Cents · 01-12-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

I did not know that.

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

Run a Toslink from your DVR to your receiver for the audio. That way, you'll keep the HDMI picture quality and still get the DD/DTS audio. It's not HD audio, so there's no need to pass it via HDMI.

Go Blue · 01-12-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Run a Toslink from your DVR to your receiver for the audio. That way, you'll keep the HDMI picture quality and still get the DD/DTS audio. It's not HD audio, so there's no need to pass it via HDMI.

Great idea, can't believe I didn't think of that.

If I run optical to the receiver for audio, I do not need to split the 1 HDMI, correct? I can have the HDMI go straight to the TV?

My_Two_Cents · 01-12-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

Great idea, can't believe I didn't think of that.

If I run optical to the receiver for audio, I do not need to split the 1 HDMI, correct? I can have the HDMI go straight to the TV?

You got it!

Go Blue · 01-12-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

You got it!

...although I did waste about $50 on a splitter to find this out, but all the same...

I'll test it tonight! Thanks for your help buddy!

saprano · 01-12-2009, 04:57 PM

schultz i never splitters had a problem with HD audio? i dont think i will be getting one if thats the case. you think the one from monoprice will be fine?

DavePS3 · 01-12-2009, 05:02 PM

I'd buy it on the condition you can return it if it doesn't pass the audio properly. It's not usually the cables... from what I've seen, you can bypass the D.A.'s and splitters and going straight to the receiver, the audio passes. For some reason, many boxes become a middle man in the stream and the HDCP doesn't like that... it thinks you are trying to copy.

You would absolutely run a Toslink if you're not trying to get HD audio and if your HDMI is going to your display. I thought you were running from source to splitter to receiver to display.

guitarist155 · 01-12-2009, 05:12 PM

maybe i missed it but why does your receiver have an hdmi in but not an out

Go Blue · 01-12-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePS3

You would absolutely run a Toslink if you're not trying to get HD audio and if your HDMI is going to your display. I thought you were running from source to splitter to receiver to display.

I was running from source to splitter to receiver to display, but also from source to splitter to display. The reason for this was I don't want my receiver on all the time. Sometimes I just want to watch TV throught the TV's speakers.

DavePS3 · 01-12-2009, 05:22 PM

Oh I see. Well, why not, in that case, run a simple white and red RCA pair from the source unit to to display's audio in then. You'd at least get stereo from the panel and wouldn't have to turn on the receiver. Unless your display does in fact have a Toslink input for audio.

Go Blue · 01-12-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saprano

schultz i never splitters had a problem with HD audio? i dont think i will be getting one if thats the case. you think the one from monoprice will be fine?

The one from mono that is 1.3 certified may work, but I don't think the 1.2 version will. What are you splitting and to what?

guitarist155 · 01-12-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

I was running from source to splitter to receiver to display, but also from source to splitter to display. The reason for this was I don't want my receiver on all the time. Sometimes I just want to watch TV throught the TV's speakers.

ahhh ok I see, you could always get an hdmi switch then it would only recognize one at a time but since you wouldn't be passing any hd codecs I would just go with the digital cable.

Go Blue · 01-12-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarist155

ahhh ok I see, you could always get an hdmi switch then it would only recognize one at a time but since you wouldn't be passing any hd codecs I would just go with the digital cable.

Yeah, thats what I will do.

New question: we know HDMI brand doesn't really matter, but what about Optical cables?

guitarist155 · 01-12-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schultz

Yeah, thats what I will do.

New question: we know HDMI brand doesn't really matter, but what about Optical cables?

monoprice

Go Blue · 01-12-2009, 05:32 PM

Will toslink/optical cables pass 5.1 sound? I read on a thread a while back that they only pass 2.0.

01-12-2009, 03:12 PM	#1
Go Blue Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Home Theater Gallery:23 Blu-ray collection:160 Trading Score:7	HDMI Splitter or Cables not passing DD 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

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
HDMI Splitter?	Home Theater General Discussion	Hoser59	3	11-10-2009 08:35 PM
HDMI splitter?	Display Theory and Discussion	BLindsay	4	08-02-2009 04:17 AM
HDMI Y Splitter	Home Theater General Discussion	neckedness	15	07-24-2009 11:55 PM
HDMI splitter?	Home Theater General Discussion	Uniquely	8	05-09-2009 08:00 AM
HDMI Splitter	Home Theater General Discussion	Go Blue	21	11-18-2008 04:44 PM

01-12-2009, 03:19 PM	#2
un4gvn94538 Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Limbo (Bakersfield, Ca.) 4K collection:141 Blu-ray collection:809 DVD collection:54 Digital collection:1492 Trading Score:277	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

01-12-2009, 03:36 PM	#3
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	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.

01-12-2009, 04:04 PM	#5
My_Two_Cents Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Wherever I may roam.... Home Theater Gallery:40 4K collection:35 Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:19 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:4	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.

01-12-2009, 04:57 PM	#11
saprano Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Bronx, New York Blu-ray collection:495 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:9	schultz i never splitters had a problem with HD audio? i dont think i will be getting one if thats the case. you think the one from monoprice will be fine?

01-12-2009, 05:02 PM	#12
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	I'd buy it on the condition you can return it if it doesn't pass the audio properly. It's not usually the cables... from what I've seen, you can bypass the D.A.'s and splitters and going straight to the receiver, the audio passes. For some reason, many boxes become a middle man in the stream and the HDCP doesn't like that... it thinks you are trying to copy. You would absolutely run a Toslink if you're not trying to get HD audio and if your HDMI is going to your display. I thought you were running from source to splitter to receiver to display.

01-12-2009, 05:12 PM	#13
guitarist155 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:nashville Home Theater Gallery:45 4K collection:11 Blu-ray collection:134 DVD collection:3 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	maybe i missed it but why does your receiver have an hdmi in but not an out

01-12-2009, 05:22 PM	#15
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Oh I see. Well, why not, in that case, run a simple white and red RCA pair from the source unit to to display's audio in then. You'd at least get stereo from the panel and wouldn't have to turn on the receiver. Unless your display does in fact have a Toslink input for audio.

01-12-2009, 05:32 PM	#20
Go Blue Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Home Theater Gallery:23 Blu-ray collection:160 Trading Score:7	Will toslink/optical cables pass 5.1 sound? I read on a thread a while back that they only pass 2.0.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals