Yet another Confused HDMI consumer

griimwerkz · 07-24-2009, 12:04 AM

I've been out of the loop on receivers for a little while and I want to be sure I'm going to get what i need.

I am looking at a wide range of onkyo receivers right now and i was wondering What Exactly am I looking for if i want to use HDMI to Receiver, then HDMI from Receiver to TV, But i want to have Audio through the Receiver AND the TV.

The Scenario. The Setup will be in the living room, and I have a Roommate who works early, and his room is adjacent to the living room. So once he goes to sleep I want to be able to turn down the receiver so that the Audio will only be playing through the TV, without having multiple audio cables (some devices i own only support 1 audio out at a time).

So, to sum it up, are there any receivers that are capable of this?

thanks in advance.

Stew4HD · 07-24-2009, 07:10 AM

I think what you want is to have a signal via HDMI that allows audio/video to pass-through when the receiver is off. Sadly, I know of none that do that because AVRs do signal processing. About the only way I know to accomplish this is to use an HDMI splitter but that will limit you to only one source.

The easiest way I know would be to connect everything up normally and just turn down the audio from the AVR an duse the TV speakers.. that is, if th eAVR passes audio to the TV.. if not, then you could consider runnig an optical out cable from the receiver to the TV.

JMS · 07-24-2009, 08:42 AM

The Onkyo TX-SR 507 (and presumedly all models above it) will output audio on its HDMI out port, with proper configuration. You must go into the Advanced Setup --> Audio Adjust Settings and set "AudioTV Out" to "ON". This converts the HDMI's audio output to PCM stereo for the TV to use on its internal speakers. However, at this point the audio on the receiver's speaker output is also PCM stereo, meaning that you will only hear sound from the external front left and right speakers in your surround system. Of course, you can turn the audio volume control all the way down on the receiver to hear the TV's speakers exclusively. In order to hear normal surround sound on the external speaker system, you will have to go back and reverse the "AudioTV Out" to "OFF".

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew4HD

The easiest way I know would be to connect everything up normally and just turn down the audio from the AVR an duse the TV speakers.. that is, if th eAVR passes audio to the TV.. if not, then you could consider runnig an optical out cable from the receiver to the TV.

TVs have optical inputs now?

BIslander · 07-24-2009, 09:16 AM

I believe the Sony Bravia system does what you want. But, of course, it only works with properly matched Sony equipment.

Most people use separate AV connections to both receiver and TV if they want to run them independently. Or, they turn on the receiver with the sound muted and simply use the AVR as a switcher.

HD Goofnut · 07-24-2009, 09:24 AM

For your needs I would suggest an Onkyo TX-SR607. It has 5 HDMI ports and decodes both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

griimwerkz · 07-24-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the Info, so from the specs of seen on some of the mentioned systems, i'm looking for HDMI 1.3a Repeater? Or am i mistaken yet again?

eess · 07-25-2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griimwerkz

Thanks for the Info, so from the specs of seen on some of the mentioned systems, i'm looking for HDMI 1.3a Repeater? Or am i mistaken yet again?

A feature included on many Onkyos and other receivers is a "night" or "good neighbor" mode which seems to attenuate the bass response among other things. The claims are that the frequencies that disturb folks in other rooms are cut back. I have never tried mine but the description sounds like something that may help you

JMS · 07-25-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griimwerkz

Thanks for the Info, so from the specs of seen on some of the mentioned systems, i'm looking for HDMI 1.3a Repeater? Or am i mistaken yet again?

Yes, you want an HDMI 1.3 (repeater) if you care about hearing the newer high resolution audio formats available on Blu-ray discs.
An HDMI "pass-through" receiver will automatically send audio to the TV (thus solving your problem), but then you'd have to connect separate audio from your source into the receiver.

griimwerkz · 07-25-2009, 11:53 AM

Thank you all for all of your help, Finally think i've decided on a reciever, And i can finally ditch this 2002 Sony HTiB

HD Goofnut · 07-25-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griimwerkz

Thank you all for all of your help, Finally think i've decided on a reciever, And i can finally ditch this 2002 Sony HTiB

Which one did you decide on?

BIslander · 07-25-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eess

A feature included on many Onkyos and other receivers is a "night" or "good neighbor" mode which seems to attenuate the bass response among other things. The claims are that the frequencies that disturb folks in other rooms are cut back. I have never tried mine but the description sounds like something that may help you

That feature is called Dynamic Range Control. Normal dialog plays at regular volume while the volume of louder sounds is reduced and quieter sounds is increased. As a result, you can listen at a lower overall volume and still hear whispers. But, loud sound effects won't wake the baby or the neighbors. This feature is usually only available with Dolby soundtracks, which include metadata for DRC.

07-24-2009, 12:04 AM	#1
griimwerkz What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Yet another Confused HDMI consumer I've been out of the loop on receivers for a little while and I want to be sure I'm going to get what i need. I am looking at a wide range of onkyo receivers right now and i was wondering What Exactly am I looking for if i want to use HDMI to Receiver, then HDMI from Receiver to TV, But i want to have Audio through the Receiver AND the TV. The Scenario. The Setup will be in the living room, and I have a Roommate who works early, and his room is adjacent to the living room. So once he goes to sleep I want to be able to turn down the receiver so that the Audio will only be playing through the TV, without having multiple audio cables (some devices i own only support 1 audio out at a time). So, to sum it up, are there any receivers that are capable of this? thanks in advance.

07-24-2009, 07:10 AM	#2
Stew4HD High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9,068	I think what you want is to have a signal via HDMI that allows audio/video to pass-through when the receiver is off. Sadly, I know of none that do that because AVRs do signal processing. About the only way I know to accomplish this is to use an HDMI splitter but that will limit you to only one source. The easiest way I know would be to connect everything up normally and just turn down the audio from the AVR an duse the TV speakers.. that is, if th eAVR passes audio to the TV.. if not, then you could consider runnig an optical out cable from the receiver to the TV. __________________ ___________________________________

07-24-2009, 09:24 AM	#5
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,850	For your needs I would suggest an Onkyo TX-SR607. It has 5 HDMI ports and decodes both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (Now with Netflix streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *Men in Black* Be sure to check out the Blu-ray Review Request Thread

07-24-2009, 02:10 PM	#6
griimwerkz What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks Thanks for the Info, so from the specs of seen on some of the mentioned systems, i'm looking for HDMI 1.3a Repeater? Or am i mistaken yet again?

07-25-2009, 11:53 AM	#9
griimwerkz What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks again Thank you all for all of your help, Finally think i've decided on a reciever, And i can finally ditch this 2002 Sony HTiB

07-24-2009, 09:16 AM	#4
BIslander Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA Posts: 573	I believe the Sony Bravia system does what you want. But, of course, it only works with properly matched Sony equipment. Most people use separate AV connections to both receiver and TV if they want to run them independently. Or, they turn on the receiver with the sound muted and simply use the AVR as a switcher.

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