Quote:
Originally Posted by
Daryl L 
Guys, my TWC cable box has hdmi out but will not output DD5.1 thru it. I've been running it's hdmi straight to my tv and it's coaxial digital output to my receiver. When I hook up my RX-A800 I'd like to be able to use the receivers OSD while watching cable without having to switch the tv's input. Can I assign a digital input to an hdmi input for my cable box usage? Thx for any info in advance.
UPDATE!!
Ok nvm, after looking at the manual again you assign an AV1-4 to any HDMI1-5. I was looking for coaxial/optical assignment to hdmi like my current Pioneer had.
One thing to be aware of is that on many TVs, including Samsung models, using the TV's optical out will only supply a 2.0 channel signal when the incoming source is NOT OTA HD 5.1.
Here's an example, directly from my TV's manual:
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x When the receiver (amplifier or DVD home theater) is set to on, you can hear sound output from the TV'soptical jack. When the TV is receiving a DTV signal, the TV will send 5.1 CH sound to the amplifier or DVDhome theater. When the source is a digital component such as a DVD / Blu-ray player / cable box / STB(Set-Top-Box) satellite receiver and is connected to the TV via HDMI, only 2 CH audio will be heard from theamplifier or DVD home theater. If you want to hear 5.1 CH audio, connect the digital audio out jack from yourDVD / Blu-ray player / cable box / STB satellite receiver directly to an amplifier or home theater.
Note the bolded part. I suspect most, if not all TVs will act the same due to HDCP compliance regulations. The best solution is to use the HDMI directly to the AVR, and then passthrough HDMI to the TV, using the setting that forces HDMI audio to be routed through to the TV in addition to the AVR. That way you get 5.1 when you want it, and the TV can still get audio for the times when you don't want to hear audio through the HT speakers.