HDMI pass thru or usable?...help I'm looking at purchasing a cheap under 500 home theater and thought I had it down to:Sony HT-SS2300 5.1Onkyo HT-S5100 7.1Both have 3 hdmi in and 1 out, which I really like but I was just reading the Onkyo doesn't use the HDMI for Audio just video, meaning I would need to hook up a separate audio cables? Any help or direction would be great! HDMI pass thru or usable?...help I'm looking at purchasing a cheap under 500 home theater and thought I had it down to:Sony HT-SS2300 5.1Onkyo HT-S5100 7.1Both have 3 hdmi in... » Read More HDMI pass thru or usable?...help I'm looking at purchasing a cheap under 500 home theater and thought I had it down to:Sony HT-SS2300 5.1Onkyo HT-S5100 7.1Both have 3 hdmi in and 1 out, which I really like but I was just reading the Onkyo doesn't use the HDMI for Audio just video, meaning I would need to hook up a separate audio cables? Any help or direction would be great! « Show Less
333434
Hey James--I just finished hooking up my Onkyo HT-S5100 to my Panasonic blu-ray and Panasonic plasma tv. The sound is just amazing! Don't let the nay-sayers drive you crazy. You just hook up the HDMI to the player, Onkyo and tv. But I used a Toslink optical cable to feed the sound from the tv to the Onkyo.Uh, this was my first experience with optical cables. It took my two hours to realize there are almost invisible silicone covers on the tips. Two hours wasted--DOAH!
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Hey Craig-Which optical input connection on the Onkyo receiver did you use to connect the optical cable from your TV? I'm not having success. :-(
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Thanks for the response. I have a ONKYO SR505 and am connected like you are. With this A/V unit I must use the audio optical cable if I want surround audio to the speakers. I can use the HDTV speakers to get HDMI quality sound which defeats the purpose of having a surround system.
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First, let me wish you "good luck" setting this thing up correctly. I have been using it for a couple of years and I am still trying to understand the "features" vs settings per the manual. I do believe the default for HDMI connections is PCM. I have also found through the "Audio Parameter" screens that there is a "Fixed PCM" setting which can be set as on our off through the Audio Parameter screens. I would suggest turning that off and go from there. Again, good luck!
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This receiver is HDMI passthrough only i.e. it does not decode audio from the HDMI. You need to either (a) connect an audio out from DirecTV box to the receiver or (b) connect an audio out from TV to the receiver. (a) is preferable so it preserves the sound for decoding by your receiver vs (b) which the TV would downmix to stereo and output to receiver.
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I have checked online and found out from reviews on CNET.com that this is a recurring problem with this receiver. Some owners have had to replace the hdmi board. Not good. If this is the case, I will no longer purchase any other Onkyo receivers. I was using my PS3 not just for playing games, but watching DVD's & watching Netflix. I have replaced the receiver with a different brand.
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I'm actually going to order this after the new year.I called Sony and they werent much help with my question. I also asked Crutchfield and while they didnt have a definitive answer for me, they recommended that I run the video from my computer directly to my TV and the audio to the receiver. Worst case scenario, thats what I'll do. I'm glad I have a Logitech 880 remote.I tried looking for answers and I'm surprised that no one had questions about using this unit with a computer.As for the other receivers you mentioned, I think this has more value than either of those with the 4 HDMIs and 1080p upscale. I'm really looking forward to getting this and making some free time to set it up. I'm actually going to order this after the new year.I called Sony and they werent much help with my question. I also asked Crutchfield and while they didnt have a definitive answer for me, they recommended that I run the video from my computer directly to my TV and the audio to the receiver. Worst case scenario, thats what I'll do. I'm glad I have a Logitech 880 remote.I tried looking for answers and I'm surprised that no one had questions about using this unit with a computer.As for the other receivers you mentioned, I think this has more value than... » Read More I'm actually going to order this after the new year.I called Sony and they werent much help with my question. I also asked Crutchfield and while they didnt have a definitive answer for me, they recommended that I run the video from my computer directly to my TV and the audio to the receiver. Worst case scenario, thats what I'll do. I'm glad I have a Logitech 880 remote.I tried looking for answers and I'm surprised that no one had questions about using this unit with a computer.As for the other receivers you mentioned, I think this has more value than either of those with the 4 HDMIs and 1080p upscale. I'm really looking forward to getting this and making some free time to set it up. « Show Less
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Thanks BlueDemon.I have actually been following the thread on AVSForum since it began. While there are some reports of loose HDMI connectors, muting, etc; it really isn't much (actual content-wise vs. wishing/hoping-wise). Amazon had a yellow note on their HT-CT500 page for a while saying that no orders were being taken because of Amazon customer-reported issues. I was curious to see what the actual issues were (causing a suspension of sales), in case any of those customers returned here.Thanks~Bill
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I believe that the display port does not output sound like a HDMI port does. You would need to get the sound to the onkyo another way.
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Audio and video are separate. The signals (audio and video) come out perfect from this device and I love it! I purchased it, because I have an older Harmon Kardon Receiver with no HDMI capabilities. I wanted to have the 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound...from my new Blu-ray player. My new Blu-ray player only had the HDMI connection, so I needed the converter to run the 1080p video to my TV and I used the optical out (on the converter) to get the 5.1 signal to my old receiver. The converter has HDMI out and Optical out. This device is meant to send audio to a device (such as my older receiver) that do not have HDMI input. The Optical out (via fiber optic cable) carries the sound. The HDMI out goes to the TV...for video and the optical goes to the receiver, or audio device. HDMI carries audio and video in one cable, so I am not sure about what you are trying to do. Bottom line...this converter will take your HDMI signal and split the audio and video. The video will go out through the HDMI and into your video display and the audio will come out of the optical connection. If your audio device does NOT have an optical connection, this device will not work for you. You mention 2 channels. Are you trying to send sound to 2 speakers (stereo mode) from your slingbox? If so, I would recommend buying a receiver with HDMI inputs. I am not 100% sure about what you are trying to do, but I am sure I can help you figure out how to fix your problem. I have been dealing with A/V equipment since the late 80's. If you tell me all the audio and video equipment you have, I can probably tell you exactly what you need. It looks like you may be looking at the wrong device, for what you are wanting to do.
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Im debating between these 2 systems.ONKYO HT-S3500 $260ONKYO HT-5600 $500 I want to use it for movies and a home audio music systemIs the 5600 worth the money or nah ?I listen to alot of deep , bass full, rap music, as well as surround sound for the Samsung 60 inch. I know the 5600 has wifi for streaming but Im wondering, is the 900 watt's needed ? or worth the money ?I have a normal size living room 15x12
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Just got the 215 @ Costco for $149.99. Doing firmware update via wifi now. Still haven't played anything with it... just passing in info on the price. The HDMI cable it comes with is fine for those of use who know how to separate our power cables from our video/audio cables. If you mix them, you may want something with a heavier insulation on it. I need Lasik anyway, like I'd notice the difference between a free HDMI cable and a $90 Monster brand cable.
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John - I hope I am not bothersome in my quest for accurate and intelligent information, if so, please tell me you have had enough. Otherwise, I have read a lot of posts and reviews regaridng 1.3 and 1.3a HDMI cables. I also remember you advised not to go with cheap cables which I agree with despite many saying they cannot notice a difference. My receiver is hdmi 1.3 and I know the PS3 is as well. I read that you should make sure that the HDMI cable is certified as a 1.3 and have read that all HDMIs support 1.3 (which I am not sure I believe). What is the truth and what cable do you recommend that is certified as 1.3? Also, does it matter if the cable is 1.3 or 1.3a? John - I hope I am not bothersome in my quest for accurate and intelligent information, if so, please tell me you have had enough. Otherwise, I have read a lot of posts and reviews regaridng 1.3 and 1.3a HDMI cables. I also remember you advised not to go with cheap cables which I agree with despite many saying they cannot notice a difference. My receiver is hdmi 1.3 and I know the PS3 is as well. I read that you should make sure that the HDMI cable is certified as a 1.3 and have read that all HDMIs support 1.3 (which I am not sure I believe). What is the truth and what cable do you... » Read More John - I hope I am not bothersome in my quest for accurate and intelligent information, if so, please tell me you have had enough. Otherwise, I have read a lot of posts and reviews regaridng 1.3 and 1.3a HDMI cables. I also remember you advised not to go with cheap cables which I agree with despite many saying they cannot notice a difference. My receiver is hdmi 1.3 and I know the PS3 is as well. I read that you should make sure that the HDMI cable is certified as a 1.3 and have read that all HDMIs support 1.3 (which I am not sure I believe). What is the truth and what cable do you recommend that is certified as 1.3? Also, does it matter if the cable is 1.3 or 1.3a? « Show Less
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Honestly, buy a new receiver. You need this, and then you can continue using the speakers you have. Trying to do this any other way is not a good idea, and will end up costing you the same amount of money and continued frustrations on lack of HDMI inputs and outputs.
25174
Why do you connect audio separately? HDMI should be sufficient to give you both video and audio if you hook it up through a common receiver. At least it works in my case. Try that. Bob.
60146
No extra cables needed. the onkyo ht-s6200 and ht-s7200 only need one hdmi cable per source for hi def video and audio. the onkyo ht-s3200 and ht-s5200 have hdmi pass-through only (will only pass through hd video signal).
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You need a receiver that does HDMI Audio Decoding, which until recently has only been availabe in upper-echelon receivers. Most recently the Onkyo 605/605 and comparable Yamaha's and Denons do decode 5.1 and Dolby True HD / DTS Master Audio. If a receiver is labelled pass-through that means it won't be able to split off the audio from the HDMI signal and will just give it to the TV, and you'll have to use a separate digital optical or digital coaxial cable to send to the receiver from your DVD, DVR, Blu-ray, etc. Sucks doesn't it?
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Very tough call to make. I can't comment on the Yamaha 465 as I haven't used it. I've looked at its info on Yamaha's site and it doesn't seem to indicate pass-through only for its HDMI, which means it may support audio through HDMI, too. But as they say, specs are subject to change without notice. I do have the Onkyo TX-SR507 receiver and it DOES support audio through HDMI as well. I've read a few reports saying that the Onkyo receiver will work great with Bose, Polk, and Yamaha speakers. I'm actually using Yamaha NS-SP1800 5.1 Speaker system that I bought off of Tigerdirect.com for only $119, and to be honest, they rival my parents Bose home theater system. They have an old analog one since they don't have HD. I'm the only one in my family with HD gear, lol! Score one for the kids. I've actually done a lot of research, even Consumer Reports, to find my receivers. Whenever you do receiver shopping, ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM RECEIVERS THAT HAVE ONLY HDMI PASS-THROUGH if you want your audio going through HDMI. Hope this helps. Good luck.