dolby 5.1 via Sky HD using digital coaxial cable

[admin_exported]

I am trying to get Dolby 5.1 from a new Sky HD Samsung box when viewing applicable movies channels. I am aware this is a hot topic as Sky haven't enabled 5.1 sound to go through hdmi, hence I was advised to connect my av receiver by digital coax cable to enable this. I've done this and it doesn't seem to have made any difference and the rear surround speakers still have no sound when using Sky.

I've set Sky sound settings in Digital Audio Output to Dolby Digital as advised by Sky. I was also advised digital coaxial is slightly better than digital optical and the Sky manual also indicates this. Should I have just got optical lead?

I am running this through a SonySTRDG 820 AV Receiver that I purchased yesterday. I am also aware that there was some issues with this AVR in the past for obtaining 5.1, but I understand this was corrected by Sony. I was told by the Sony Centre where I purchased the AVR that this should be okay now (although they we're very knowledgeable about this issue).

When I connected the Digital Coaxial to the Sony 820 AVR, I also needed to reassign the input to from SAT which I have done, but still no sound! Does anyone know if I need to do anything else as I simply have run out of ideas! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

 

[aliEnRIK]

Im going to guess and say you also have your HDMi plugged into the amp? If so you need to go into the settings and set the priority to CO-AX over HDMI

 

[Andrew Everard]

Not all programmes are in 5.1 - it's mainly movies, some sport and US dramas, although there's also some content on BBC HD in surround.

Best way to check whether you're getting sound down the coax digital? Pull the HDMI connection between Sky box and amp, and see whether the sound carries on!

The auto format detect on the Sony should pick up on 5.1 surround when the Sky box is sending it.

If you want more rear channel action (missus!), then set the receiver to default to Dolby Pro-Logic IIx when it's receiving stereo sound from the Sky box.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice - really helpful.

When viewing a sky movie marked DD I pulled out the HDMI lead out of the amp - the sound does carry on and when I do this I get sound from all speakers including the rear speakers. When I put the HDMI back in the rear speakers go quiet again. It looks like the auto format detect on the Sony 820 isn't working or set up? Does this mean I could have old amp without the fix? Or is there a way to set this up?

 

[Anonymous]

You need to go into the str dg 820 menu and set the audio for sky to coax, The display on the amp

will tell you that it is using coax for audio not hdmi, The auto detect only works when changing from sky to

blu ray or ps3 where 5.1 sound and hd picture are sent via hdmi.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, sounds like you are familiar with the Sony 820 and the Sky issues! I've been reading the instructions and I've already reassigned the digital audio input of the DVD COAX to SAT (DVD-SAT), but can't figure out how to set the audio for sky to coax.

Sorry to be a pain, but could you tell me exactly how to do this? I'm finding the Sony menu and settings rather confusing!!!

 

[oldleodensian]

markbestwick:

Sorry to be a pain, but could you tell me exactly how to do this? I'm finding the Sony menu and settings rather confusing!!!

Whilst you await a response from a suitably knowledgable forum member, you could try connecting the HDMI direct to the TV; this way you can still enjoy the sound in 5.1 from the optical link until you have the problem sorted out. This is how I have mine connected to my Yamaha AV amp. Sorry I can't be of any more help, not familiar with the sony amp. Oh, and if you already have the HDMI plugged into the TV...sorry to be stating the obvious!

 

[mikey2008]

Andrew Everard: If you want more rear channel action (missus!), then set the receiver to default to Dolby Pro-Logic IIx when it's receiving stereo sound from the Sky box.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, that's a good workaround and I'll give it a try! thanks

 

[Anonymous]

What you need to do is select sat/sky on the input selector either on the remote or on the receiver

Then press input mode repeatedly on the receiver to select the audio input mode,

the display will tell you which one is selected the choices should be auto,coax, opt and analog

Now just select coax and you should be sorted , hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. All sorted, working perfect now. Very clear advice and instructions, wouldn't have been able to do it without all your help!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Thought I resurrect this thread as I am having a similar issue with my recent purchase of a Sony HTSS-1300 - i.e. when I plug both the HDMI and coaxial into the amp, the HDMI takes precedence. I have found a fix where you set the amp to SAT and then TV, but this would only work using an optical link (as the optical link is in the "TV" input section of the amp). However, I have a coaxial lead and was wondering if anyone had a fix for this...

I guess I can directly put the Sky HDMI into the TV and run the coaxial to the Amp, select TV and I'm away - however, will this affect the lip-synch more? Maybe not because there is no auto-lipsynch with out HDMI 1.3??

Please advise anyone with the above setup!

Chris.