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Help Me Understand The HDMI 5.1 DD Issue
I have a Cisco IPN-4320 DVR connected to my tv with HDMI. I have optical from the DVR to an Onkyo surround sound receiver. Normally, I watch tv with the surround sound system turned off. I get sound from the DVR to tv via HDMI. When I want surround sound, I turn on the Onkyo receiver and get sound from the DVR to Onkyo via optical. If I leave the Cisco DVR set on stereo, I get simulated surround sound, or I can change the DVR to surround sound and get 5.1. I would prefer to just leave the DVR set on surround sound, but if the Onkyo is turned off, I don't get any sound from the DVR to the tv via the connected HDMI cable. Why is that? This is the exact same setup I used with Charter cable and it worked. I did a search here and found threads where people are saying U-Verse now transmits 5.1 via HDMI. Is that not correct or is there something about the way I have my DVR wired that is preventing this? I'm confused on this issue. Thanks.
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
Well, I'm back to the HDMI cable and manually switching between stereo and surround sound. The component cables were great until I split the signal between my tv and Slingbox and the picture was unacceptable. I'm not willing to switch my Slingbox to S-video, so I guess I'll just stick with this for now.
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aviewer
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10.1K Messages
13 years ago
I think the reason you get no TV sound (when set to surround) is that the DVR is programmed to send appropriate sound signal via HDMI based only on your manual options setting.
It expects you to specify whether or not your TV is capable of decoding surround,
Seems like the HDMI connection should have the TV specifying what sound to send, just like it does the aspect option.
If you connect with component cables your manual option setting applies( like it does on the optical sound output). If you connect with HDMI the HDMI interface specifies the aspect setting - watch the blue light go out.
In the real world if there are two outputs, there need to be two option settings.
In the case of HDMI sound the response to what the TV requires is missing. Therefore, there is no auto switch between HDMI connected devices an optical connected devices.
For the aspect option, it can get in the way trying to use component for one device and HDMI for the other.
Maybe the bottom line is that the manual option should only apply to the analog output (component or optical) and the HDMI option should be determined by feedback from the receiving device (usually TV).
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
Thanks, but can you simplify this to something I can understand? With the DVR set to surround, does it send a signal to the tv via HDMI or not?
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SomeJoe7777
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9.4K Messages
13 years ago
When set to surround, the U-Verse boxes output Dolby Digital (compressed) 5.1-channel sound on both the HDMI and optical connections.
The cause of your problem is that your TV does not support Dolby Digital audio over HDMI. So when you have the box set to surround, the TV will not get audio.
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
Ok, now that's an explaination I can understand. I'll check my tv manual and see if there is a setting to allow 5.1 over HDMI. Now, why did it work with the Charter Motorola box? Does that mean the Charter box could output 5.1 over optical and stereo over HDMI at the same time?
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
Actually, that can't be the problem. I have a blu-ray DVD connected by HDMI to my receiver and HDMI from the receiver to the tv, and I get surround. So, the tv does accept 5.1 via HDMI.
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
OK, I've read enough threads and Google searches that I'm sure this is a U-Verse problem. My equipment or wiring setup is not the problem. I guess I could try and have AT&T swap out my Cisco DVR, but I don't think I'm up to that hassle.
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
Interesting...my two Cisco set-top boxes don't have this problem. Just the Cisco DVR. Maybe I should move the DVR to the bedroom, where I don't have a surround sound system and put a set-top box in the family room, where I have the surround sound system.
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
Does anyone have anymore ideas on this? I have tried the on-line chat support to no avail. I have tried unplugging the optical to my receiver and R/L audio to my Slingbox to no avail. I have tried resetting the RG and DVR to no avail. I tried to enter a work order on the U-Verse website, but it just took me in circles and I was unable. Is there an internal menu (hidden menu) somewhere on the Cisco IPN4320? How is the easiest way to request at&t bring me another DVR?
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jimgfitzgerald
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1.1K Messages
13 years ago
I think I need to narrow this down and determine if the problem is the Cisco DVR or my Samsung tv. The fact that I don't have this problem in two other rooms with Cisco STB's makes me think it's the DVR, but those are also newer Samsung tv's. Later today, I'll bring the small flat screen tv from the kitchen and plug it into the DVR and see if I am able to leave it set on surround. If so, then it's my tv. If not, it's the DVR. If the problem turns out to be the DVR, then I may move it to the bedroom and put a STB in the family room. That would be easy enough except I have my Slingbox and Roku connected to the DVR.
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