Guru

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48 Messages

Sunday, July 10th, 2011 8:43 PM

Help Me Understand The HDMI 5.1 DD Issue

I have a Cisco IPN-4320 DVR connected to my tv with HDMI.  I have optical from the DVR to an Onkyo surround sound receiver.  Normally, I watch tv with the surround sound system turned off.  I get sound from the DVR to tv via HDMI.  When I want surround sound, I turn on the Onkyo receiver and get sound from the DVR to Onkyo via optical.  If I leave the Cisco DVR set on stereo, I get simulated surround sound, or I can change the DVR to surround sound and get 5.1.  I would prefer to just leave the DVR set on surround sound, but if the Onkyo is turned off, I don't get any sound from the DVR to the tv via the connected HDMI cable.  Why is that?  This is the exact same setup I used with Charter cable and it worked.  I did a search here and found threads where people are saying U-Verse now transmits 5.1 via HDMI.  Is that not correct or is there something about the way I have my DVR wired that is preventing this?  I'm confused on this issue.  Thanks.

Guru

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48 Messages

14 years ago

My tv is supposed to accept surround sound through HDMI.  I guess there is some sort of defect that's probably not worth fixing.  It's $89 for the guy to come diagnosis it.

Expert

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3.2K Messages

14 years ago

I looked through the manual - the only thing I could find is SRS - If I read it correctly the SRS accepts the 5.1 and simulates it on two speakers.

SRS is on/off by button on the remote or menu selection.

Did you try that?

Guru

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48 Messages

14 years ago

Yep, it makes no difference.  I basically tried everything.  The tv is pretty simple, actually.  As much as I hate to, I may try the component option with splitters to share the signal with my Slingbox.  I would only need 3 splitters since the Cisco DVR has two pairs of L/R audio jacks.  I already have a good set of audio cables, so I would need to purchase 3 video cables and 3 splitters.  Thanks for your help.

Guru

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48 Messages

14 years ago

What can I use to split the component video signal that won't degrade the picture quality significantly?  Where can I get them?  Maybe I should just bite the bullit and switch my Slingbox to S-video and keep the tv picture quality as good as possible.  Only problem here is I'm using my Slingbox S-video input for my Roku.  All of this just because I don't want to manually switch back and forth between stereo and surround sound on my U-Verse DVR.  I guess I could ditch the Roku feed since I can watch Netflix directly from their website and there is now a Netflix app for my Droid.

Expert

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3.2K Messages

14 years ago

You have options & you can decide what is best. I searched radio shack for the Y adapter & found a deluxe model. You should be able to find one less expensive. I have seen concerns about the quality of connection, but have not had a problem doing it. If it is bad you can return it.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3909665

Guru

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48 Messages

14 years ago

Thanks.  $15 for 3 adapters is no problem.  I'm really concerned that switching from HDMI to 1/2 a component video signal might be a significant degrade of the picture.  I know moving my Slingbox from component to S-video would be a hugh degrade.  I'll decide tomorrow if I feel like fooling with it and, if so, ride over to Radio Shack.  As you say, I can alway return them.  I think a high quality picture is probably more important than trying to eliminate the manual switching back and forth between stereo and surround sound.

Guru

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48 Messages

14 years ago

I just decided to go ahead and try component video.  I unplugged the component cables going to my Slingbox and plugged them into the tv.  The colors are way more vivid and the picture seems much better.  Also, as expected, I can leave the DVR set on surround sound with or without my receiver being on.  I guess tomorrow I will go to Radio Shack and pick up some splitters for the three component video cables and hook my Slingbox back up.  If that doesn't work, I'll try S-video to the Slingbox.


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