Sky + to Marantz A/V Receiver Problems

[admin_exported]

I recently purchased a Marantz NR 1501 compact A/V Receiver, but am experiencing difficulties connecting my Amstrad Sky + box to it. The Sky + box only has Scart and S-Video connectors with both optical and analogue audio outs.

The receiver takes HDMI, component and co-axial inputs. I bought a Scart to co-axial adaptor but picture degradation was pretty severe compared to plugging the scart from the box directly into the TV (Pioneer plasma). Also I was not able to get any sound output at all.

Receiver's settings all seem in order, so I am a bit stumped as to how I can set things up to control everything through the receiver (which will output through HDMI regardless of the input method).

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might achieve this or am I going to have to upgrade to Sky HD to get the best from this?

Sorry if that sounds a bit convoluted, but hopefully there's a relatively simple solution!

Thanks in advance
Stephen

 

[grdunn123]

I'm not familiar with your receiver but Sky+ does need optical out to make best use of DD broadcasts. Might be worth hinting out a decent Sky HD contract to make best use of your receiver.

 

[Sorreltiger]

Sorry, but you're stuck. It is possible to get a Scart to Component convertor, but it could set you back £40 and - from what I've read - the results are poor.

If you keep your present box, you'll need to connect the Scart direct to the TV and run an optical out to the receiver.

To obtain a better picture, you'll have to upgrade to Sky+HD. However, don't forget that you'll still need to run the optical link to obtain Dolby Digital sound.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. That's pretty much what I suspected. May put in a call to Sky tomorrow...

For some reason though I am unable to get any sound through the optical output when using the receiver. I was under the impression that the receiver would automatically detect a digital input. Ho hum.

Now have to try and get a refund on the adaptor and co-ax cable I bought!

 

[aliEnRIK]

The chances of it being faulty are pretty slim

Im pretty sure you simply havnt set it up correctly. You need to tell the receiver which optical input corresponds with which selection on the remote (dvd, sat or whatever)

And I dont see any major problem. Just plug scart direct to the tv and the optical into the amp. Whats wrong with that?

 

[d4v3pum4]

Stick with SCART direct from the box. Set it to RGB, SCART Control On and 16:9 under picture settings. To ensure you are outputting discrete 5.1 audio, you need to ensure the box is set to DOLBY D under optical output in the sound settings menu. That takes care of the Sky box. RGB via SCART is the best video picture you will get from the Sky+ box. Have you considered Sky+HD? I would highly recommend it.

Now the amp. Did you assign the inputs? You need to assign the inputs so that when you select the relevant source on the amp, it goes to the correct digital input.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that. I think it's time to upgrade to Sky HD. My PS3 has just died for the 2nd time which is a little depressing, so that will cheer me up.