Mac mini, HDMI, iTunes, and 5.1 static issues

[MrTravis]

I just bought one of the new Mac mini's a few weeks ago and love it. I currently have the system connected through HDMI to my Denon AVR-889 receiver. When I try to play any surround file (such as a TV show or movie) through iTunes, I get nothing but ear piercing static. The stereo option works fine.

I have tried just about every setting I can think of in the Audio MIDI utility but have had no luck so far.

I have also tried some suggestions on the internet in iTunes to max out the volume slider, turn off equalizer and sound enhancer, but none of those things have worked. Any other ideas?

 

[Cave Man]

I just bought one of the new Mac mini's a few weeks ago and love it. I currently have the system connected through HDMI to my Denon AVR-889 receiver. When I try to play any surround file (such as a TV show or movie) through iTunes, I get nothing but ear piercing static. The stereo option works fine.

You might request that a moderator move this to the ATV and Home Theater forum. You'll probably get better help there.

Unfortunately, Quicktime (and its surrogate, iTunes) are pretty awful at handling digital audio (which is the problem here, not "surround" sound, which can be either analog or digital). I suspect your receiver is not displaying the Dolby Digital or DTS indicators? That means it's receiving the digital audio as an analog audio source and that's why you're getting static. The easiest thing to do is to open the file in Plex or XBMC (provided the file isn't an iTunes purchase with DRM) and those should properly send the digital audio to your receiver.

 

[indg]

what codec is the audio using? if it's AC3 or DTS, you may need to install perian for AC3/DTS playback in quicktime/itunes. or try an app like vlc that can decode AC3/DTS natively.

 

[fkntotalkaos]

what codec is the audio using? if it's AC3 or DTS, you may need to install perian for AC3/DTS playback in quicktime/itunes. or try an app like vlc that can decode AC3/DTS natively.

plex

 

[MrTravis]

I think the problem is with iTunes but not 100% sure. I tried Starcraft 2 and it runs in 5.1 without any ear piercing static. As far as I know, this is only happening with iTunes downloads.

 

[wpc33]

VLC
www.videolan.org