Sound Problems - Adding a Blu Ray Player to existing System

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My AV system consists of a Sony STR-DA1200ES Amp/ Panasonic DMR-EX77 HDD/DVD Recorder/ Panasonic TX-32LXD70 TV/ and KEF 2005.2 Speakers/Subwoofer. It sounds fine - with good 5.1 sound to all speakers. I have now added a Sony BDP-S360 Blu Ray Player - which gives a good picture - but only outputs sound to the TV's speakers - Nothing to the 5.1 speakers. My cable connections are as follows :

DMR-EX77 HDD/DVD Recorder HDMI Cable from HDD recorder to TV (HDMI 1). Optical Cable from HDD Recorder to 1200ES Amp (Optical In TV/SAT).

BDP-S360 (Blu Ray Player) Optical Cable from Optical Out socket to Optical TV/SAT IN on 1200 ES Amp. HDMI Cable out from BDP S360 to 1200 ES Amp (Optical In TV/SAT).

There is also a single composite cable from TV (Yellow Socket on side) to 1200ES Amp Video 2 Sound In.. I understand this relates to getting on screen messages on TV from 1200 ES Amp.

I understand that unlike more recent Sony Amps - such as STR DA 2400 and STR DG800 - the STR DA1200ES's HDMI sockets do NOT process audio received via HDMI - It just passes that audio through to TV speakers. I beleive an additional connection from each source is required. I assume that my Optical cable fulfils this need.

I would be extremely grateful for any help that will enable me to get my newly acquired Blu Ray Player to pass 5.1 sound through to my KEF speakers. I find the Sony manual very difficult to follow, every single page constantly refers you on to another, and another. I note from reviews of Sony amps that most reviewers make adverse comments about their manuals.

 

[Anonymous]

Hello

I don't have this particular amp but i'll try to help.

First things first, I don't think you need the composite cable connected as the menus should be passed through the HDMI (I think) when you press the on screen button. If not it needs to be connected to the monitor out socket on the amp, not an input.

The connections from the bluray seem ok. To get the optical to work you need to press "input mode" on the remote until OPT appears on the display of the amp. (page 85 in the amp manual).

On the bluray player go into audio settings and change "audio output priority" to coaxial/optical and you should be good to go. Note you won't get HD audio just standard Dolby Digital/DTS through the optical. To get HD sound you'll need to upgrade the amp or the bluray player (to one with analogue multichannel outputs). You could try and exchange the 360 to one with multichannel outputs.

Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for your detailed reply to my cry for help. I have have made the changes you recommended. I have changed the audio settings on the blu ray player - and enabled OPT using the amp remote. I loaded up the Blue Ray player with a "Baraka" Blu Ray Disc and cycled through the Input modes on the amp - The only setting that got sound through to the KEF speakers was TV/SAT which showed up as Dolby Digital [3/2.1}. This however enabled only the Front L and Front R speakers and did not illuminate the Blue Light (Multi Channel Decoding). I also tried a normal DVD in my HDD/DVD Recorder (which currently connects to the KEF speakers with full 5.1 sound) - However this now only plays on 2 speakers on the new settings.

I then turned the Input Mode to Video 1 and that enabled full 5.1 on a normal DVD played on the HDD/DVD Recorder. It does nothing to a Blu Ray Disc played on the Blu Ray Player.

If I could get the Blu Ray Player to work through the amp to the KEF 5.1 speakers and play both Blu Ray Discs and normal DVD discs it would be fine. Leaving the Panasonic HDD/DVD recorder to be used only for recording and replaying TV programs.

If all else fails I may go down the (expensive) route of upgrading to a Sony STR-DA2400ES. I beleive the HDMI sockets on that are fully compatible. There is a cheaper 800 model with full HDMI - but it's a lesser grade amp - I would still want to use the HDD Recorder for recording TV programmes. Grateful for any suggestions. David.

 

[Anonymous]

Further to my (398083) posted in reply to (397523) Can anyone help with this problem ? Cannot get my Blu Ray Player to pass 5.1 sound through my Sony STR-DA1200ES Receiver to KEF speakers. Grateful for any help to resolve this matter. David

 

[Andrew Everard]

I think you need to set the player to output PCM sound over the digital audio connection, rather than bitstreaming the HD audio soundtracks from Blu-ray discs over HDMI, which the 1200ES can't accept. The player should then default to the core soundtrack on the Blu-ray discs, rather than trying to send the HD version.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, I have an STR-DA 2400es and have noticed that in the menu for "Control of HDMI" > Audio out, there is an option to route audio thru AMP or TV+Amp. I don't know how similar your 1200es is but it may be worth checking this setting.

I hope this may help.

Jools