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Thread: No sound through Onkyo surround system. |
    
New member Username: Steven66
Bartlett,
Illinois
Usa
Post Number: 1
Registered: Feb-08
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 10:00 am: |
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I have a Sony Bravia KDL-46w3000 LCD TV.
I have Onkyko HT-SR800B HTIB.
Comcast cable with Motorola HD box DCT3416.
I have HDMI cable running from cable box to Onkyo receiver. I have HDMI cable running from receiver to TV, I get tv picture and sound out of the tv speakers but nothing out of surround system.
I also have optical cable running from cable box into the receiver. The HD box puts out digital through the opt port. I see the red light. I also programed the receiver to the OPT 1 input. I changes tv stations and I can't get any sound from the surround system??? The AM/FM works on the receiver so I know the speakers are correct.
What am I missing?? I have not even played with the DVD yet, its not hooked to anything. Please assist. THANKS |
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Relevant Product Info
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Bronze Member Username: Jrbay
Livonia Detroit area,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 40
Registered: Feb-08
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 12:56 pm: |
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On your Onkyo receiver:
Assigning the HDMI Input
If you connect a video component to an HDMI input,
you must assign that HDMI Input to an input selector in Setup.
If you make the same connections as shown here, you must
assign the "HDMI DVD" setting to "IN1", and assign the
"HDMI CBL" setting to "IN2".
If you have an HDMI-compatible TV and players, you can connect them
to the AV receiver with HDMI cables. The audio and video signals received
via the HDMI inputs are output by the HDMI OUT as they are (pass-through).
To listen through the speakers connected to the AV receiver, please make
the audio connections shown below.
To fully enjoy the AV receiver's
listening modes, turn off the
volume on your TV.
From the Onkyo website |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 112
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 08:54 pm: |
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You may need to use a digital output from the cable box to the digital input on the receiver (optical or digital coax (orange).) You will know based on whether going thru the hdmi gives you dolby or dts 5.1 decoding. To determine if it does cycle thru the listening modes to see if one of the listening modes indicates this, if not then use digital out from the cable box to digital in on the receiver. Remember that the digital sound is in two forms optical and digital coax (the orange connector.) I have a Motorola HD box from comcast and I have to do this. To know for sure you will need to be on a channel that is delivering dolby or dts 5.1 signal usually hd channels. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 113
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 08:57 pm: |
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Also, you will need to select the digital input button on the front of the receiver for the cable/sat box input. Put the input on cable/sat box on the front of the receiver and then hit the digital input button until you have selected the one you plugged the box into on the back of the receiver. It will be optical 1, optical 2, coax 1, or coax 2 -whichever one you plugged it into. |
New member Username: Steven66
Bartlett,
Illinois
Usa
Post Number: 2
Registered: Feb-08
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| Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 11:49 am: |
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Thanks Jeff and Jim I'm still a little confused.
I did install optical cable from the HD cable box to the receiver and programmed the input on the receiver. I didn't get any sound.
Last night I hooked up cheap red/white RCA cables from cable box to receiver and got surround sound FINALLY. Still not sure why I didn't get sound with the optical cable and HDMI cables hooked up??
I call Comcast and they said if I see the red light on the opty cable and program the receiver I should have sound. |
Bronze Member Username: Jrbay
Livonia Detroit area,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 49
Registered: Feb-08
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| Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 12:05 pm: |
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If it isn't too difficult hook an HDMI cable directly from your cable box to your TV. If you get picture and sound then the problem resides with the ONKYO. Let me know what happens. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 116
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 06:26 pm: |
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If you did what I said then then maybe you have to enable the digital out on the cable box in the cable box setup? -ask comcast. -not sure but you should get sound. Would have to actually be there. Just make sure you did everything I said and make sure you are on a digital input on the receiver not an output on the receiver. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 117
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 07:48 pm: |
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Also, you don't want to go with red/white which is analog. You are really going to be cutting yourself short that way. That is a really old technology from the advent of stereo which as you know is before my time and I aint no spring chicken  Just using analog will not make use of the investment you have made in your receiver -would kinda be a waste of money... If you get a couple of minutes describe to me verbatim and step by step what you did maybe then I can tell you what you did not do correctly if anything... |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 2162
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 09:55 am: |
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Hey guys, I hope you don't mind my little 2¢ here.
I don't think we should automatically assume the optical output on the cable box is OK. Just because Steve sees the red light doesn't mean that there's actually a signal coming out of it. I don't care what Comcast says. Optical outputs always show red light whether there's a signal or not.
It may be possible that there's some sort of setup activation for the optical out on the cable box, but I think that's most likely not the case. Steve should try his DVD player's optical output on the same receiver input he has been trying to use with the cable box. See if he gets audio from that. Since the receiver in this system doesn't have any digital audio outputs, he can't be making any hookup error in that respect.
As a last resort, I would try the orange coax output on the cable box into the receiver. For testing purposes, any RCA phono patch cord will work. That output on the cable box is just above the optical out.
Steve, Jeff is absolutely correct about the red/white outputs on the cable box. You cannot get the Dolby Digital bitstream you want from that output. I know you're getting audio from it, but this shouldn't the long term solution to this problem.
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Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 118
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 11:34 am: |
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There is a setting for audio output on my motorola comcast box. It is not defined as enabling digital out though. For some reason you have to enable stereo output in the audio setup using the box's osd or you will not get sound. I can tell you what the specific name of the setting is when I get home tonight. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 119
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 11:41 am: |
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John, the reason I am telling him to use the digital oudio is because I don't think that box will process 5.1 thru HDMI to the receiver. Any thoughts? |
Bronze Member Username: Jrbay
Livonia Detroit area,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 51
Registered: Feb-08
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| Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:08 pm: |
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Personally I have never had any trouble with HDMI carrying 5.1 from a Comcast box. The only reason I have ever used the optical or digital out is to go to the TV so that the AVR does not have to be turned on. The suggestion to connect the cable box to the TV directly with an HDMI cable should tell us if there is audio. The problem now, however, seems to be that we have lost Steve! |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 120
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:26 pm: |
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I don't know, mine doesn't. I guess he could try hdmi for 5.1. Jim, he will need to know how to confirm this. Apparently he is not well versed in multicahnnel output or he would not be trying to use red/white rca connections. |
Bronze Member Username: Jrbay
Livonia Detroit area,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 52
Registered: Feb-08
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| Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:36 pm: |
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OK, I wasn't going to mention it so as not to scare anyone  but I have heard that the Motorola box HDMI is very fragile but then you should be able to swap the box with Comcast. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 121
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:45 pm: |
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Jim, Steve is going to need to know how to confirm that HDMI is processing 5.1 He does not apear to be well versed in multichannel output or he would not be using stereo (red/white) Maybe this would solve his problem -if hdmi is doing it then he can abandon the digital output setup.... |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 2164
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 08:40 am: |
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"John, the reason I am telling him to use the digital oudio is because I don't think that box will process 5.1 thru HDMI to the receiver. Any thoughts?"
It wouldn't be much of a cable box if it did not send Dolby Digital (either 2.0 or 5.1) out on its HDMI with the video. But the point is that Steve's receiver has pass-through HDMI and doesn't process the signal at all. In fact, the only reason to run HDMI to the receiver is for switching convenience. So if he has only one HDMI piece in his system, it's a waste of an extra HDMI cable to hook the cable box's output to the receiver.
"The suggestion to connect the cable box to the TV directly with an HDMI cable should tell us if there is audio."
In his OP, Steve has already stated he's getting audio on the TV via HDMI. So the Onkyo is properly passing the HDMI video and audio signal on to the TV intact.
"The problem now, however, seems to be that we have lost Steve!"
Maybe, but we're having fun woodshedding somebody else's problem, right?...
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Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 122
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 09:19 am: |
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John, that is not true on my onkyo, in fact on mine to get High def sound such as dolby truehd or dts hd from blu-ray I have to use the hdmi switching. The signal is processed thru hdmi and digital audio will not do this. |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 2167
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 09:27 am: |
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I'm sure that's true Jeff. Onkyo models are not the same, however. This is what Onkyo says about Steve's receiver:
HDMI Pass Through (2in/1out , 1080P compatible) — A separate audio connection is necessary
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-SR800&class=Systems&p=i
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Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 123
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 10:39 am: |
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I can tell you for sure that it is true. My manual is very specific about this. HD sound is processed via HDMI from blu-ray. There is no question about it. Steve's may not but I am certain that mine does. I have a TX-SR705. I will look at Steve's manual but if he is getting HD sound from blu-ray my first impression is that his works this way also. I do not get 5.1 thru hdmi from my motorola cable box but this is not a fault of the receiver it is because of the cable box. I use optical and this is the reason I was suggesting this for Steve. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 124
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 11:00 am: |
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You are right about Steve's receiver. His audio has to be opt or coax. Thanks for answering my question. Looks like Steve, if he ever checks in again , is back to square one and will need to use optical or coax regardless. If you come back Steve we need to know exactly what you did with the optical setup or we can't help. Explain everything you did in detail. |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 2168
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 01:09 pm: |
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I still think the problem is the STB. The Motorola DVRs Comcast uses are buggy pieces of junk. Complaints all over the web about them. |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 1
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 01:24 pm: |
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Hi there, I'm a newby at this so here goes: I have a Sony bravia surround sound system (DVD and receiver are one unit), a comcast cable box and a Phillips PFL5332D HDTV.
My problem is I only have sound from the sony bravia system when playing dvd's.
I have a HDMI cable going from the cable box to the television and a HDMI cable from the sony surround sound system to the Philips television.
I've tried so many things, I'm now confused....can anyone help me on this using layman's terms please. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 125
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 02:51 pm: |
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You do not have sound from the cable box connected to the surround system at all. That is why there is no sound. You will need to obtain either an optical or digital coax cable and connect the one you choose from the cable box to the surround system. Once you have done this you will need to put the surround system on the input that is decribed on the back of the sourround system where you plugged the cable box into. Then you will hear sound. |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 2
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 05:28 pm: |
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Hi jeff, I have a digital audio cable, is that what you are talking about? It's a single cable and I don't have anything that takes a "single" cable on either unit? |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 126
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 06:57 pm: |
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If its a surround system it has to be there. The connector is orange. It will say digital out and digital in. If you are certain that the cable box does not have this then you will have to use red and white. Is it a DVR comcast box? |
Bronze Member Username: Jrbay
Livonia Detroit area,
Michigan
USA
Post Number: 53
Registered: Feb-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 06:58 pm: |
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The cable box and your Sony should each have an orange RCA connector in the back. Connect them with your cable then follow Jeff's advice about the input. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 127
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 07:06 pm: |
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The connection may also be called SPDIF |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 3
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 08:37 pm: |
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I found the orange SPDIF on the cable box, but I'm telling you guys there is not one on the sony surround sound system, it is the Bravia system that has the receiver and dvd player as one unit and it does not have anything that says digital in digital out. This is a link to my sony user guide: http://www.retrevo.com/s/Sony+DAV-HDX267W?rt=pd
I appreciate your help on this. thank you. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 128
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 09:52 pm: |
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Cilus, you got jipped. If you can still return it I would. The only 5.1 output you will get will get will be the dvd player. You can connect the cable box but you will have to use the red and white. On the surround system it will be called audio in TV/Video Right and Left. There will be an output on the cable box that looks the same. |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 4
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 11:38 pm: |
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Thanks Jeff, I have boxed the system back up and I'm taking your advice and returning it to the store...thanks again. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 131
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 12:01 am: |
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Cilus, If you are still around, judging from your decision to purchase this Sony you are probably going to need some advice on what system to purchase if you are still planning to do so. What is you budget. |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 5
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 02:33 am: |
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Hi Jeff, I appreciate the offer, I wanted to stay around 500.00. I have a toshiba DR-400, a Philips HDTV that are new. I was looking at Onkyo TX-SX605 (amazon $397.00) with Polk Audio RM6750 (Amazon 249.00+S&H). This is a little more than I wanted to spend......what are your thoughts? Thanks. |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 2169
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 06:51 am: |
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Cilus, there are many choices out there, but I will say that the Onkyo/Polk combo will blow the doors off that lousy Sony HTiB. In the long run, this set is worth every extra penny. Don't scrimp on the audio -- it's just as important as the video. After all, $650 is still less than you spent on the TV.
Furthermore, that Onkyo is good enough to use with more expensive/bigger speaker sets, should you want to upgrade the speakers in the future.
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New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 6
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 09:17 am: |
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John and Jeff, I only purchased the sony set because of the wireless rear speakers as I didn't want to mess with speaker wire across the living room.....
What other options do you guys recommend besides the onkyo/polka I'm looking at? |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 132
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 09:27 am: |
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I am assuming that you meant Onkyo TX-SR605? If so, this is an excellent choice. The only thing you need to consider is that the 605 has 2 HDMI inputs and the Onkyo TX-SR705 has 3 hdmi inputs and is THX certified but the 605 is still a great unit. As John indicated this choice is a world away from what you had. The 605 can also decode HD sound (dolby truehd and dts hd.) I honestly could not have made a better suggestion than this. Way to go! You could reduce your costs by getting an Onkyo Home theater in a box but I think the way that you are going is much better. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 133
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 09:53 am: |
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In addition to my previous post. I own an Onkyo TX-SR705 so I am advising you to do what I have decided on for myself. I guess my opinion on this is somewhat biased The 605 is in the same ball park as mine but is less expensive. Note: the 605 and 705 are 7.1 systems and to get the full effect require 4 sattelites (surround right and left and rear right and left), 2 for the front right and left, one center, and one subwoofer (powered). This makes a total of 7 speakers and one subwoofer unlike previous 5.1 systems that would have required 5 speakers and one subwoofer. |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 7
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:05 am: |
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I was just looked at the home theater in a box for Onkyo, Onkyo HT-SR800, wasn't sure if this would be the way to go. |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 8
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:08 am: |
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Onkyo HT-S990THX? |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 9
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:10 am: |
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Onkyo HT-S990THX I think this is a little outside my budget though..... |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 134
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:23 am: |
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Its up to you. Again this is much better than what you had. The advantage to the home theater in a box is that it comes with everything you need for a lower price. Personally if I could afford the TX-SR605 I would go with that instead. The HT-SR800 is not future proof so it would need to be replaced at some point so you will be saving money now but have to spend more later. Its kind of like buying a non integrated pc so that you can upgrade as needed without having to replace the entire unit. The point is that going with the 605 will save you money in the long run and you will be able to upgrade the speakers in the future as John indicated. Also the reason you are saving money on the SR800 is because you are getting less. The SR800 receiver does not decode HD sound (dolby truehd and dts hd) which will be a consideration when you go to blu-ray. The speakers in the SR800 are not going to be that great and the reciver is junk compared to the 605 but again it is still much better than the Sony you had. The 90 watt rating on the 605 is true 90 watt and you will not get this with the SR800. Don't forget all of these units are 7.1 and require 7 speaker and a sub unlike 5.1 that require 5 speakers and a sub. |
New member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 10
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:28 am: |
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Thanks Jeff I will order the TX-SR605, and polka speakers...I will let you know once received and set up. Can't thank you enough for your help......thanks so much for babysitting me. ....have a good one. |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 135
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:30 am: |
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Cilus, make sure you are purchasing the correct number of speakers. This is not a 5.1 system it is 7.1 !!! |
Bronze Member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 11
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:31 am: |
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I just realized what you said about the speakers, what set do you recommend that are within my budget and 7.1? Are Onkyo speakers any good? |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 136
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:42 am: |
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You could just order the ones you have in mind and also order a pair of extra surrounds of the same type. What exactly are you willing to spend on the receiver and speakers? |
Bronze Member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 12
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 10:45 am: |
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I would like to stay within 300.00 on the speakers. I found Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Surround Sound Speaker System for 289.00 with S&H at J&R |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 137
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 11:05 am: |
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Those onkyos look fine to me for the price. I guess if cost is the consideration then that would not be a bad way to go. You can always upgrade in the future when you have the cash. Go for it. I would not tell you to go with the 605 and the SKS-HT540's if I was not sure that you will be happy with the purchase. I think you will thoroughly enjoy this setup! I am glad you checked in -who sold you that Sony? Be careful about buying from them in the future. Also it would not be a bad idea to check in here in the future before deciding on a purchase like this. I could have saved you some trouble. Let me know if you need any help once you get everything! |
Bronze Member Username: Cilus
Post Number: 13
Registered: Mar-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 11:08 am: |
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I bought the sony on amazon. So I have to ship it back tomorrow. Yes, It wasn't until I started to have problems trying to get sound that I found you on this site, will come back in the future for advice from you.....thanks so much Jeff. I will let you know about the purchase..... |
Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 138
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 11:25 am: |
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Hope to hear from you soon. It looks like where ever you are buying from you are getting good prices so I have no advice for you there. Enjoy! |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 2170
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 12:27 pm: |
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Jeff, I think Cilus is going to be better off for now with a 5.1 system. Let's not forget why he bought the Sony HTiB in the first place. The allure of not having to wire the surround speakers from the other side of the room is very great. Therefore
1. I think most people are doing very good wiring and placing two surround speakers reasonably well. We're not talking a dedicated HT room here; this is a multi purpose room where other priorities exist. Wiring and placing four surrounds properly in the average living room by average people is highly unlikely. Besides it's overkill for average sized rooms, imo.
2. Given a limited budget I think it far preferable to get a better 5.1 speaker system rather than spend the same amount of money on an average 7.1 speaker systems found in HTiBs.
3. The number of DVDs with Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES (matrix/discrete) is limited. The majority of the time with ordinary DVDs the back surrounds in a 7.1 system are getting some sort of quasi ambient audio that adds little to the movie's main soundtrack, again imo.
4. Do you think the average person has the desire, equipment and the ears to appreciate lossless audio? I think it's a good thing high res audio is available on the blue laser formats. I plan to take advantage of it soon myself. But I really do think codecs like Dolby Digital TrueHD will only be on the fringe of the general public's consciousness, much like SACD and DVD-A are now. So I personally think Cilus may be overspending on a 1.3 receiver -- I mean, hell he may never buy a Blu-ray player. And even if he does, he would be still be able to hear the uncompressed LPCM track on most BD discs on an HDMI receiver with 1.1 or 1.2 hardware. (And while we're on the subject, the "uncompressed LPCM" option you see on BD is the real deal -- it don't get any better. This is the original lossless soundtrack. The only reason Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD MA have any advantage is they are compressed codecs and therefore take up less room on the disc. However, you don't need an HDMI 1.3 receiver to hear LPCM.)
But even if Cilus buys the Onk 605 (which I think is a fine product as I said before) it doesn't mean he absolutely has to use it in 7.1 mode. It will happily handle 5.1 just fine.
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Silver Member Username: Cclashh
Post Number: 139
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Sunday, March 02, 2008 - 01:38 pm: |
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