Only get 5.1 through Optical?

[KettyKrueger]

Hi all

Just bought an Apple TV. I can't seem to get 5.1 through HDMI, is that normal???

I'm running it through a Sony SG910 receiver and the blue light indicating that the receiver is receiving muliple channles of audio only lights up when I use an optical connections, is that normal?

Thanks.

 

[dynaflash]

no clue. not familiar with that receiver. my hdmi works fine going through my tv then optical from there to receiver.

 

[Killyp]

Not sure, I don't have anything with HDMI, but at a guess, it may be dependent on whether you're playing material with Dolby Digital/DTS encoded in it, such as a movie...

 

[dbwie]

I think...

HDMI carries 2 channels of audio, in addition to the video signal.

 

[torid110]

HDMI carries 2 channels of audio, in addition to the video signal.

That is incorrect. HDMI should be able to handle at least 8 channels of audio. I have many components that i use HDMI only for connections and i get dolby digital/DTS audio. It should work, but alas, i can't test since i'm using optical for the TV . It could be that the material you are playing is not encoded for 5.1 surround.

 

[Xircom]

That is incorrect. HDMI should be able to handle at least 8 channels of audio. I have many components that i use HDMI only for connections and i get dolby digital/DTS audio. It should work, but alas, i can't test since i'm using optical for the TV . It could be that the material you are playing is not encoded for 5.1 surround.

exactly, am using HDMI and is does play 5.1 ... but you have to encode it like this, and also the destination of course has got to support it...

 

[KettyKrueger]

The files are definitely 5.1. As I said, works fine with optical but not with HDMI.

It's no biggy really, I was just curious why!

 

[dbwie]

check the specs

The specs for the HDMI input on my Sony HDTV say "two channel linear PCM 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz, 16 bits".

 

[kolax]

I always use optical - I get a bit weary when I daisy chain things up. My A/V receiver has component in and out, so I could have my video pass through it, but I find it a lot neater to keep it simple.

The specs for the HDMI input on my Sony HDTV say "two channel linear PCM 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz, 16 bits".

Yes, that is because your Sony TV has only two output channels!

 

[dbwie]

and...

My Sony HDTV also has an optical out. I get 5.1 by connecting the audio source directly to my A/V receiver optical inputs (bypassing the TV). My receiver is a bit older and does not have HDMI ports.