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HDMI/optical connection dilemma -- please help!

post #1 of 8
10/19/08 at 1:14pm
Thread Starter 
OK, I'm running short of digital connections and I'm running up against a wall in trying to figure out what to do about it.

I need to get everything purely digital; I have potential 5.1 audio coming from every source (currently 3 sources, soon 4), but I can currently only configure things to get 2 sources of 5.1 audio.

The problem is that my receiver, while great otherwise, only has 2 optical connections. My TV has optical out, which would solve my problems except it only outputs 2.0 (thanks a lot, Samsung). I would consider buying a new receiver, but my furniture doesn't allow for receivers taller than 5.75", and there are none with more than 2x HDMI that are that short.

Here's what would solve my problem: a device that extracts the audio from a single HDMI signal and converts it to optical. If I could find a simple box like that, I would run all my sources into my current Monoprice HDMI splitter, then intercept the output with this HDMI/Toslink splitter, sending the video on via another HDMI cable to the TV and the audio to my receiver via Toslink optical.

However, I can't find such a device, and I've been all over the net for the last couple hours. I've found things that do the opposite -- combine signals into a single HDMI cable -- but nothing that splits HDMI -> [ HDMI video | Optical audio ].

I've seen the Octava 4x HDMI w/ Toslink, but it's kind of expensive and I can't tell if it requires me to run optical IN from each source as well in order to get the separate optical out (which I don't want to do). A switch identical to my current Monoprice 4x1 with just a single optical out would be ideal.

I've attached a diagram of my current setup with notations on the relevant digital connections. You'll see that the TiVo HD is currently relegated to old-skool RCA stereo cables.

Can anyone offer any suggestions? I'm stuck!
LL
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post #2 of 8
10/19/08 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rogersmj View Post

Here's what would solve my problem: a device that extracts the audio from a single HDMI signal and converts it to optical. !


http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=3939
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post #3 of 8
10/19/08 at 3:09pm
I believe to take full advantage of the future Blu-Ray player and the advanced sound codecs it uses you're gonna need a receiver that can accept audio via HDMI and/or has analog 5.1/7.1 inputs. Something to keep in mind while fixing your problem. You can find more about that in the Blu-Ray player section and/or Receivers section under Audio.

As for more toslink inputs, while not the cleanest set up, you can get a toslink to coax adapters and use the coax inputs on the SA-XR55 also.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
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post #4 of 8
10/19/08 at 5:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdfox18doe View Post

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=3939

Holy crap! $300? Yikes. I'll have to pass on that. I'd rather put that money toward a new receiver, if I can find one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjones73 View Post

I believe to take full advantage of the future Blu-Ray player and the advanced sound codecs it uses you're gonna need a receiver that can accept audio via HDMI and/or has analog 5.1/7.1 inputs. Something to keep in mind while fixing your problem. You can find more about that in the Blu-Ray player section and/or Receivers section under Audio.

As for more toslink inputs, while not the cleanest set up, you can get a toslink to coax adapters and use the coax inputs on the SA-XR55 also.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Thanks, that might work as a stopgap. Regarding the Blu-Ray, you're saying that I won't get 5.1 audio from a BD deck if I connect it via optical? Even though I can get 5.1 from DVD players?

EDIT: I found this, a 2x1 HDMI switcher with separate optical out for $100. That might work.
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post #5 of 8
10/19/08 at 7:41pm
Blu-Ray supports some newer codecs such as DTS-HD HiRes, DTS-DA Master Audio, and Dolby TrueHD that won't work over optical. When using optical the audio will be downconverted to DD and DTS depending on the disc and how the player handles it. Basically it will work with optical though if you want to take full advantage of the advanced codecs with your existing receiver, you'll need a player that can convert the codecs internally and output it via analog 5.1 which your SA-XR55 can accept.
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post #6 of 8
10/20/08 at 5:03am
Go for the new AVR, that does the full HD Audio decoding on sound - such as Denon 1909 and there are now dozens more coming into the market. That model will handle 3 discrete HDMI inputs for 5.1 and 7.1 sound processing and 2 toslink inputs for 5.1 sound processing.

Modify the cabinet so it can accept something taller that 5" and process as many HDMI as you can (3, 4, or what ever you need). Remember to allow for cooling.

The Samsung TV will output 5.1 via the toslink for ONLY the OTA tuner portion if you use that? All other, newer devices, like your BluRay and STB to connect to the AVR via HDMI to get the 5.1/7.1 sound and correct video.

Also, look to Ebay for HDMI and/or toslink converters/switches for more inputs if you need them. In a month or two you could find a real bargin there.
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post #7 of 8
10/20/08 at 5:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rogersmj View Post

. I'd rather put that money toward a new receiver, if I can find one..

As others have posted, that would be your best bet. I'm a big fan of them motorcycle stereos..the Yamaha's.. The RXV series is the better choise over the HTR's.
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post #8 of 8
10/20/08 at 5:50am
A little 7$ 3X1 manual optical switch could hold you over until you get your next receiver.
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