 RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY
3 edits |
RolteC
Member
2013-May-30 8:23 am
Surround Sound on FiOS - Question (Answered)I am sure that a lot of you may have had this issue, or have not found a viable solution. After searching through old threads, I also can't find a definitive answer to my issue: I currently have the 6414? DVR. It has an HDMI cable running to my Samsung 8000 series TV. From there TV, there is a Toslink cable to the receiver. The box does not output surround sound. The TV states PCM with no option to switch to DTS/etc. But when I stream a video clip or play something from the computer or the TV directly, it does emit surround sound. Is there a known problem with this specific box when it comes to surround sound? Could it just be the HDMI cable? Also, I only have a single Toslink input on the receiver and I really don't want to lose surround sound from my streaming/DLNA sharing by taking the Toslink from the cable box and plugging it directly into the receiver. Any suggestions? ----EDIT!!!! Please read my post down below for the workaround to get Surround Sound to work on FiOS through HDMI-TV-Toslink to receiver. » Surround Sound on FiOS - Question (ANSWERED) |
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tnsprin
join:2003-07-23
Bradenton, FL |
Re: Surround Sound on FiOS - QuestionMost TVs will not forward the surround signal to receivers, especially when switching signals (hdmi in toslink out). |
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| tnsprin |
to RolteC
Most TVs will not forward the surround signal to receivers, especially when switching signals (hdmi in toslink out). Try running a toslink from the STB to the receiver if you can. |
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PJL
join:2008-07-24
Long Beach, CA |
to RolteC
Make sure you have audio alerts on the STB disabled. With audio alerts enabled Dolby Digital is not outputted by the STB. This broke when Verizon added the audio alert functionality "enhancement" last year. |
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| PJL |
to tnsprin
said by tnsprin:Most TVs will not forward the surround signal to receivers, especially when switching signals (hdmi in toslink out).
The OP's TV does. |
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RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY |
RolteC
Member
2013-May-30 9:07 am
Thank you for the replies so far. I really want to avoid running Toslink from the cable box to the receiver because then my TV won't output any audio when playing Netflix or DLNA shared files. PJL , I do not see anywhere that states my TV does or does not forward surround sound from HDMI to Toslink out. On a side note, I did find a 4-1 HDMI Switcher w/Toslink w/3D support for like $44, but lets see if there is a way to avoid yet another piece of equipment in between the equipment. |
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PJL
join:2008-07-24
Long Beach, CA |
PJL
Member
2013-May-30 9:31 am
said by RolteC:Thank you for the replies so far.
I really want to avoid running Toslink from the cable box to the receiver because then my TV won't output any audio when playing Netflix or DLNA shared files.
PJL , I do not see anywhere that states my TV does or does not forward surround sound from HDMI to Toslink out.
... I just helped a neighbor install a Samsung TV similar to yours (a slightly lower model) and it does forward surround sound from HDMI to the optical output. Have you checked the audio alerts on the STB? |
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to RolteC
said by RolteC:I really want to avoid running Toslink from the cable box to the receiver because then my TV won't output any audio when playing Netflix or DLNA shared files.
Does your receiver have only one digital input? You can also go SPDIF coax from the cable box to the receiver. Or you could go HDMI into the receiver and then out to the TV. This is where Harmony remotes are great, you can have different Activities for Netflix and the cable box that will put the TV and the receiver on the correct inputs. |
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RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY |
to PJL
PJL , yes, I just checked it, it is already off. blue_trooper , It only has one Toslink input, no HDMI, and I have to check on whether or not it has digital in. |
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to RolteC
I don't see where you tried to hook the STB up directly to the receiver to see if you got DD5.1. That would answer the question of whether or not the issue is with the TV or the STB.
Try to go direct via optical to the receiver and see if that works. If you have the option, use the SPDIF output on the STB to the receiver. If that works then your problems are solved but if you only have one optical input it is possible that you have no SPDIF input at all. Same goes for HDMI inputs. And even if the receiver has multiple HDMI inputs with a single output, it is possible that this is for switching only and will not pull the audio off the HDMI.
First I would confirm the issue is with the box and determine if it is a problem with the HDMI output or with a software setting. If it is a hardware fault just change out the box. If it turns out for some reason the TV will not pull the DD5.1 audio and send it via optical, then your best option might be an optical audio splitter that would allow you to hook up two optical connections to your receiver. |
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to RolteC
I have a similar problem with Dolby D with a Samsung TV. STB to TV by HDMI only sends PCM audio and never figure out. In my limited test, I find out the Samsung can receive DD5.1 from an OTA antenna and when I had TWC, directly connecting the coax cable to the TV(have not tried if this work with FIOS). I'm not sure where the problem is, but it appears the Samsung TV cannot recognize a DD signal coming from an HDMI cable. For now I have a toshlink connection(STB to Receiver). I have not look around but I have a feeling this is a Samsung problem based on my limited findings not unless HDMI cables are limited to PCM signal which I doubt. |
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PJL
join:2008-07-24
Long Beach, CA |
PJL
Member
2013-May-30 2:01 pm
said by bluepoint:I...but it appears the Samsung TV cannot recognize a DD signal coming from an HDMI cable. For now I have a toshlink connection(STB to Receiver). I have not look around but I have a feeling this is a Samsung problem based on my limited findings not unless HDMI cables are limited to PCM signal which I doubt.
A Samsung TV can recognize a DD signal coming from an HDMI cable -- my neighbor's Samsung TV setup does it. When the FiOS STB is tuned to a DD5.1 channel (and not all are DD5.1 by the way) you can select either PCM or DD for the optical output. If the TV is not seeing a DD5.1 source, then the choice for DD5.1 is grayed and not selectable on the TV. |
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RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY |
RolteC
Member
2013-May-30 2:17 pm
PJL, so far, the DTS or whatever the second option is for Optical output is greyed out, no matter what channel I am on (including all the movie channels).
Could the issue possibly be my HDMI cable or cable box?
Either way, when I get home, I will try connecting directly from the cable box tot he receiver and see if I get surround sound before going further with buying new accessories/possibly exchanging the box. |
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1 edit |
to PJL
said by PJL:A Samsung TV can recognize a DD signal coming from an HDMI cable -- my neighbor's Samsung TV setup does it. When the FiOS STB is tuned to a DD5.1 channel (and not all are DD5.1 by the way) you can select either PCM or DD for the optical output. If the TV is not seeing a DD5.1 source, then the choice for DD5.1 is grayed and not selectable on the TV.
That's what it is, the choice for DD5.1 is greyed out wth HDMI connection even if the show is in 5.1 but it isn't when OTA and direct coax cable is used. Maybe it depends on the Samsung model. If I may add: The behavior is for both TWC and FIOS STB to TV boxes. |
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to RolteC
It may seem obvious but have you confirmed the DVR is set to pass multi-channel audio? Under Menu -> Settings -> Audio -> Audio Format you should see 'Surround' selected. It has been a while but there have been many threads and discussions on this topic in various forums, (especially AVS Forum. Unfortunately the ability of any particular model of TV to pass multi-channel audio from HDMI out via optical is hit or miss. Just because one Samsung TV reportedly is able to do so, it does not mean another model Samsung would be able to do so. Note this is also very specific to multichannel audio fed to the TV via HDMI. There are many reports of TVs that are able to pass DD5.1 (for instance) via optical when using other sources such as internal tuner, but not from an HDMI source. HDCP seems to be a key factor, especially since the HDCP specs do include restrictions on audio as well. If the HDCP handshake fails then all bets are off. Unfortunately this very issue being discussed in this thread is not new and has been covered in other forums quite a bit (I do not have any such threads handy at the moment) with no definitive answer. |
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kes601
join:2007-04-14
Virginia Beach, VA |
kes601
Member
2013-May-30 3:00 pm
said by Shady Bimmer:It may seem obvious but have you confirmed the DVR is set to pass multi-channel audio? Under Menu -> Settings -> Audio -> Audio Format you should see 'Surround' selected.
That is for simulated surround via analog audio (or at least used to be, I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong). |
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said by kes601:said by Shady Bimmer:It may seem obvious but have you confirmed the DVR is set to pass multi-channel audio? Under Menu -> Settings -> Audio -> Audio Format you should see 'Surround' selected.
That is for simulated surround via analog audio (or at least used to be, I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong). When I first had FiOS several years ago the QIP6416 setting had an effect on which the optical out to my receiver. That does not mean it would have any impact on HDMI but it doesn't hurt to try. Either way this is a very simple check to see if it has any impact so there is no harm in checking. |
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The STB is set that way, surround by default when I got FIOS. |
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to kes601
said by kes601:said by Shady Bimmer:It may seem obvious but have you confirmed the DVR is set to pass multi-channel audio? Under Menu -> Settings -> Audio -> Audio Format you should see 'Surround' selected.
That is for simulated surround via analog audio (or at least used to be, I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong). I don't think any Verizon DVR or cable box ever did DSP. Where is this information coming from? |
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RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY |
RolteC
Member
2013-May-30 10:29 pm
So I tested the following:
Connected a short Toslink cable from the cable box to the receiver and yes, there was surround sound. Connected the Toslink coming from the Samsung TV back to the receiver and back to 2.1 audio, if that.
I unfortunately do not have a digital coax in or any other digital in/out. I guess my only options are are to get a Toslink/HDMI switch of some kind or just buy a new receiver?
(Only thing I haven't tested is the HDMI cable, but I am sure that its not bad and that it is rated high speed.) |
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| RolteC |
RolteC
Member
2013-May-30 10:53 pm
I just received some tips on how to go about getting into the "secret" menu of the cable box.
Once there, I went to what was called Additional HDMI settings. There was an option for sound that was set to auto, with the other two options being PCM and pass-through. I set it to pass-through and as soon as I got back to viewing live TV, I have surround sound! |
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2 edits |
Want to share? You can PM me please if it's not supposed to be posted. Thanks. |
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RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY |
RolteC
Member
2013-May-30 11:09 pm
Surround Sound on FiOS - Question (ANSWERED)Power-Select-Menu
This will bring up a White menu. In the middle, you will see "Additional HDMI Settings". Inside this menu, you will see Audio set to Auto. Just change this to "PASS THROUGH".
Press the power button on the box to power off and then power it back on. Might have to do it twice as the first time my TV said it had no signal. But then, perfect, my movie channel immediately produced surround sound and I confirmed it with my Samsung TV as its Audio menu now said "Dolby Digital". |
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| RolteC |
to bluepoint
Re: Surround Sound on FiOS - QuestionThanks goes to ITALIAN926 for helping me out! |
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to RolteC
Re: Surround Sound on FiOS - Question (ANSWERED)Wow, that works. Thanks to you and ITALIAN926!!! |
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tnsprin
join:2003-07-23
Bradenton, FL
2 edits |
to PJL
Re: Surround Sound on FiOS - Questionsaid by PJL:said by tnsprin:Most TVs will not forward the surround signal to receivers, especially when switching signals (hdmi in toslink out).
The OP's TV does. None of the samsungs I have do. Remember he specified a switch from hdmi to Toslink. And on Samsung's I think only the later models with arc support do it over HDMI (my pn64e8000 does) Note that these tvs do output TV signals that are in surround sound to the receivers over toslink, just don't know if any pass along surround sound that are input from other sources such as stbs. UPdate: here is the specific statement from my 2010 Samsung 8000 manual and my newer 2012 8000 has essentially the same statement: "When the receiver (home theater) is set to on, you can hear sound output from the TV’s optical jack. When the TV is receiving a DTV signal, the TV will send 5.1 CH sound to the home theater receiver. 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 the home theater receiver. If you want to hear 5.1 CH audio, connect the digital audio out jack from your DVD / Blu-ray player / cable box / STB satellite receiver directly to an amplifier or home theater." |
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italian9261 to RolteC
Anon
2013-May-31 5:55 am
to RolteC
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RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY |
to tnsprin
tnsprin , The cable boxes does HDMI to my Samsung 8000 series TV. The TV has Toslink to my receiver. This allows DLNA/Samsung App's to play in surround sound when applicable. With the FiOS cable box trick I posted above with changing the HDMI audio to pass through, I now have surround sound on everything that FiOS is dishing out in surround sound! But yes as others have posted, not all TV's have that capability, nor do I know what to look for in terms of features to specify that it will do that or won't. |
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tnsprin
join:2003-07-23
Bradenton, FL |
said by RolteC:tnsprin ,
The cable boxes does HDMI to my Samsung 8000 series TV. The TV has Toslink to my receiver.
This allows DLNA/Samsung App's to play in surround sound when applicable.
With the FiOS cable box trick I posted above with changing the HDMI audio to pass through, I now have surround sound on everything that FiOS is dishing out in surround sound!
But yes as others have posted, not all TV's have that capability, nor do I know what to look for in terms of features to specify that it will do that or won't.
Not sure about the DNLA solution, but see my update on the optical connection on Samsung 8000's. |
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RolteC0h
join:2001-05-20
New York, NY |
RolteC
Member
2013-Jun-2 9:29 am
DLNA is not a solution. Its a streaming standard used by new TV's that allow streaming of pictures and video from any other DLNA enabled device on the same network.
The solution is to change the additional HDMI settings of the secret STB menu to PASS THROUGH. Turn the box off and on, twice if necessary, to get a picture again. Listen to any TV show or movie channel, you should now have surround sound. This is however limited to your TV.
Make sure your TV audio is not set from PCM to Dolby Digital. That is how it is confirmed that HDMI is now transmitting 5.1 to your TV and that you TV accepts it. Last step is just to have another cable medium, usually Toslink, go from the TV to your receiver. This is what I do and its working 100% now. Once again, on my 2011 8000 series Samsung TV.
Stop reading these sources that say it wont work. Just do what I and others wrote above and see the results hands on for your specific setup. |
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