Home theater gurus? HDMI and 5.1 Audio question...

[somunny]

I currently have a Panasonic XR55 (no HDMI inputs) and I'm thinking about upgrading to the Onkyo SR606.  I'd like to use the HDMI outs on all of my devices that I'm using component for (satellite, XBOX 360 and PS3).  My question is will I be able to get 5.1 through the HDMI for each of these?

[Portnoy]

When HDMI first came out some devices did not make full use of the format, ie passing only video but not 5.1.  Now, especially with the latest devices, you should most certainly not have that issue.  360 and PS3 should work just fine for both 5.1 and video to the Onkyo. As far as your Satelite receiver you would need to check the manual but my guess is if it's fairly recent you will be able to achieve what you are looking to do.

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[somunny]

Ah, okay.  I wasn't sure if I would need to use an optical cable in addition to the HDMI cable for each device.  I've also read of some devices not being able to output both analog and digital audio signals simultaneously.

Thanks for the reply. 

[ideft]

hdmi outputs both audio and visuals.

[Blanka]

hdmi outputs both audio and visuals.

CAN output!
Mostly PC hdmi is mostly soundless.
Now at last some vidcards are appearing with built in audio-section. And don't forget to install the audiodrivers too. They never re-use onboard audio.

[richms]

Some things will only do stereo or bitstream over hdmi, others will do the full 7.1 - but at the other end of the cable not all devices will do 7.1 over hdmi, and only accept stereo or bitstream.

In either case, you shouldnt need the optical since that only does stereo and bitstream anyway...

[Samstag]

I'm a little late to this, but I've had a 606 for about 2 months now.  Run HDMI from your devices to the 606 and it will decode audio in whatever format they can handle.  Then run HDMI or component to the TV for video.  I'm using a 5.1 setup, but it'll decode 7.1 also.  You don't need optical until you run out of HDMI inputs.

[somunny]

Just picked up an SR606 for $350 shipped on Amazon. 

[mameotron]

I got a nice home theater system last year that decodes 7.1, but I'm pretty surprised at how few DVDs actually have 7.1.  I'm hoping Blu-Ray movies have 7.1 since I think I'm about to take the plunge on that. 

Anyone else have the same problem, or is it just my taste in movies?

[HaRuMaN]

I have about 5 Blu-ray movies so far.  Not one of them has 7.1! 

Not that I have a 7.1 reciever yet anyway...

[massive88]

CAN output!
Mostly PC hdmi is mostly soundless.
Now at last some vidcards are appearing with built in audio-section. And don't forget to install the audiodrivers too. They never re-use onboard audio.

On the HDMI enabled cards Ive installed, most had a spot to patch in digital audio.  As well the P35 motherboards that I have used at least have a digital audio out connection on the MB for the same purpose.

I dont know what PCI soundcards have that on them as well though, but it seemed to me like it was becoming a standard feature on onboard sound, these werent high end Moboards I was working with, they were Gigabyte brand though.

[CCM]

I have the XR55 as well.  My current TV doesn't have any HDMI inputs, but I am thinking of upgrading soon... I'm waiting for the Vizio 505XVT to come out...  Anyway I am not planning on upgrading my receiver, I am just going to run HDMI to the new TV from my cable box and PS3 and will use the optical cable to the receiver.  I'll just turn the TV speakers off and use the surround exclusively. 

You could save yourself some money on the new receiver by doing it this way.

[Samstag]

I have the XR55 as well.  My current TV doesn't have any HDMI inputs, but I am thinking of upgrading soon... I'm waiting for the Vizio 505XVT to come out...  Anyway I am not planning on upgrading my receiver, I am just going to run HDMI to the new TV from my cable box and PS3 and will use the optical cable to the receiver.  I'll just turn the TV speakers off and use the surround exclusively. 

You could save yourself some money on the new receiver by doing it this way.

You don't want to do this.  You won't get surround from a TV optical ouput.  The only way you'll get more than two channels is to connect your devices directly to the receiver through HDMI (if the receiver can decode HDMI audio) or optical.

I thought I was going to do the same thing you're suggesting, but after some reading at avsforums.com, that TV optical output is pretty useless.  I also almost bought a receiver that couldn't decode HDMI audio but could do 5.1 from an optical input just fine.  When you think you have a TV or receiver picked out, it's a good idea to get a PDF of the manual and to look the model up at avsforums to find out what the limitations are going to be.

[CCM]

I won't be using the TV optical out.  I'll be using the optical out from the cable box and PS3.

So I will have HDMI cables from the cable box and PS3 to the TV... which will really only be handling the video.

I will have optical cables from the cable box and PS3 going directly to the XR55 which will handle the sound.

I think this should work just fine.

[Samstag]

I won't be using the TV optical out.  I'll be using the optical out from the cable box and PS3.

So I will have HDMI cables from the cable box and PS3 to the TV... which will really only be handling the video.

I will have optical cables from the cable box and PS3 going directly to the XR55 which will handle the sound.

I think this should work just fine.

Sorry, I misunderstood what you were describing.  That will work fine.