Optical connection won't work with HD

hochpt21

Hello all,

I just got dish network with the hopper. There are three satellite units that do the same thing as the hopper called the joey.

Here is the back of the joey

I have the optical connected to my HK 3490.
The HDMI is connected to the tv.

Here is the issue...Only non/HD channels will submit sound through my stereo with this connection. The HD ones do nothing. I've tried every audio setting possible on the tv, the joey and the HK but can't seem to figure it out.

The picture and sound to the tv are great, but I want to listen to the audio through my stereo.

I know the connection works, because it works on non/HD channels, but I don't watch any non/HD channels.

Anyone have ideas??

EndersShadow

Does your TV have an optical out? If so go HDMI to the TV and optical out from the TV to the HK. That should work for all channels.

hochpt21

I'll have to check when I get home.

Damn, then I would need a longer optical cable. Oh well, it's worth it since I got to move the 50" to the living room and will get to tv shop in a few months for a BIGGER one for the basement. :cheesygrin:

steveinaz

I would check your audio/dig settings on your joey again....there's probably a 2-channel "downmix" setting or something you are missing.

EndersShadow

steveinaz wrote: »

I would check your audio/dig settings on your joey again....there's probably a 2-channel "downmix" setting or something you are missing.

Or you could do that .

rooftop59

steveinaz wrote: »

I would check your audio/dig settings on your joey again....there's probably a 2-channel "downmix" setting or something you are missing.

Yep that's what I was thinking. On DTV you can choose either DD 5.1 or Stereo PCM. Since you are using a 2 channel receiver you may have to use the Stereo PCM setting on the "joey" (isn't that cute!).

I will also say that ES suggestion should work as well. That is what I do with my bedroom setup since I have a roku that only has hdmi and analog outs, and my older receiver has digital inputs but no HDMI. So I run HDMI from both my DTV dvr and the roku into the tv and digital coax out to the receiver. And that way I only have to change inputs on the TV, not the receiver, and full DD 5.1 is passed through the tv to the receiver.

hochpt21

There is a pcm setting on the joey.

But when I toggle between the inputs on the HK the only optical setting I get says "non-pcm"

EndersShadow

Yeah, either works. In his case DD 5.1 doesnt matter since the 3490 is stereo only so it will get downconverted, but whatever floats his boat. As you stated if he has more than one source it could be easier to route em all through the TV, but its all about options right

hochpt21

The TV does have optical out.

I'll have to grab a longer cable and hopefully be all set.

pitdogg2

something is not right that. I have a Joey and HDMI to TV and Toslink to Receiver and I have sound on all channels

blehmbo

I think you should be looking for the downmixing setting on the dish box itself and not the HK. The HK likely doesn't have a DTS or DD decoder and doesn't recognize the non-PCM signal. Without a decoder the HK wouldn't be able to down-convert.

pitdogg2

blehmbo wrote: »

I think you should be looking for the downmixing setting on the dish box itself and not the HK. The HK likely doesn't have a DTS or DD decoder and doesn't recognize the non-PCM signal. Without a decoder the HK wouldn't be able to down-convert.

yes get into joey menu to see the PCM menu. I didn't realize that A/V HK is stereo only and on the HD channels it is seeing DD and non HD it is seeing stereo signal.

steveinaz

Correct he needs to check ALL settings on the dish box. He'll need to down convert to 2-ch stereo/and PCM or LPCM (same/same).

My HT (if you want to call it that) is all 2-channel, because multi-channel is for wieners.

jeremymarcinko

pitdogg2 wrote: »

yes get into joey menu to see the PCM menu. I didn't realize that A/V HK is stereo only and on the HD channels it is seeing DD and non HD it is seeing stereo signal.

Yeahp thats what I think too.

EndersShadow

steveinaz wrote: »

Correct he needs to check ALL settings on the dish box. He'll need to down convert to 2-ch stereo/and PCM or LPCM (same/same).

My HT (if you want to call it that) is all 2-channel, because multi-channel is for wieners.

Stop lying Steve... its not 2-channel.... its 2.1 channels... so your not the purist you think you are :razz::biggrin:..

P.S. post meant in total jest for those with no sense of humor.....

pitdogg2

steveinaz wrote: »

Correct he needs to check ALL settings on the dish box. He'll need to down convert to 2-ch stereo/and PCM or LPCM (same/same).

Nope just the Joey menu. its different than the Hopper. Every Joey has it's own menu that can be configured to each needs.

steveinaz

That's what I mean----the box thingy he's getting the audio from.

I thought it was called a HOPP-AH. :cheesygrin:

jbooker82

steveinaz wrote: »

That's what I mean----the box thingy he's getting the audio from.

I thought it was called a HOPP-AH. :cheesygrin:

The main box that houses the DVR drive and recieves the signal from the sat is the Hopper. The Joey is the small box that goes on your 2nd tv. Think of it as a master / slave setup.

zingo

Just because the connector is there, doesn't mean it has the data. I connected the optical output on my old cable box to my DAC, but it wasn't working. Called Comcast and the phone tech said it should work, and I must be doing something wrong on my end. Once a tech actually came out, he told me, "That isn't outputting any data. The boxes are a standard version, and Comcast doesn't use all the ports or connectors." Fantastic...

blehmbo

His optical output should be functional since it works for non-HD content. Unless for some odd reason it stops functioning for HD content.

hochpt21

I changed every available audio setting on the joey. I'll try again tonight, but I've tried five or six times already.

Just ordered a 12' belkin optical for $10 bucks of Amazon. Going to run it from the optical out on the tv. Hopefully that works.

blehmbo

Strange. I wonder if the Joey doesn't send a downmixed signal through the optical connection. How does it behave on your STR-DG1000? Could be a way to test to see if it send a DD or DTS signal through optical when you watch HD content (regardless of the box settings).

hochpt21

That's a good suggestion, but I don't have that part of the house set up yet

The options the joey gives me are 1) Dolby/PCM or 2) PCM only.

Then Volume Leveling 1) Enable or 2) Disable

Then Mode 1) Line or 2) RF

Any combination of these options still doesn't work.

Like I said, hopefully, the optical out from the TV works.

Thanks for the suggestions, all.

Paul

pitdogg2

Joey has a menu icon for audio in there are two options Dolby/PCM and PCM only you should try the second
audio icon is past the first menu in the first menu pick settings then pick audio.

have you tried the analog output? you know the red/white RCA's? for your reciever that is most likely your only choice.

Msabot1

You don't have the capability to run that optical audio signal into your present unit and have it recognize and process the format. Have the best of both worlds! Dedicate one system for video and one for audio! Then you can either watch or listen to either without any probs!

hochpt21

I do have that.

The 2-ch is upstairs and the HT is in the basement.

However, with dish we have a few channels with concerts, etc that I would like to hear upstairs through the LSi's vs the TV speakers!

If the optical through the TV doesn't work...I'll just run the old RCA's...boo.

Msabot1

Run your sat feed into a decent AV reciever with DTS processor not a stereo reciever.

pitdogg2

Msabot1 wrote: »

Run your sat feed into a decent AV reciever with DTS processor not a stereo reciever.

Sat feed at least with Dish Network will never have DTS so that will never be a problem so a new receiver will solve the problem because it will have a DD and DTS decoders period

hochpt21

Hooked up a pair of Frank's signals tonight. All channels great in audio. We'll see if the optical works through the TV, otherwise at least there is red and white :}

hochpt21

Optical works through the TV. We're all good.

leftwinger57

To update Zingo, He is absolutely right about certain cable companies not using all their tech line-up to further our picture quality
Cablevision has just lately instituted that on non box t.v.s meaning cable only through a splitter was not an option any more and
just shut down ALL t.v.s w/no boxes and remotes. To remedy this you have either get a box delivered or go to the Cablevision Store and get a new and improved box and remote for all your t.v.s I do use the optical port so I get picture and no sound(music) as I
watch a game and I have tunes o'plenty w/ t.v. They did change model of boxes from Scientific America(analog) to Samsung
which are digital and no ID card needs to be inserted.Boot up time is close to an hour which is a pain but when it works it does
seem better than the previous box.Price for this exchange is free for a year than they will charge $6.50 a month per box and remote