couple HDMI questions....please help

MyDarkstar · 04-16-2008, 11:34 PM

2 HDMI questions...

1) I have a setup of 3 HDMI components (cable box ; DVD ; computer) which are hooked up to my receiver with 3 HDMI inputs & 1 HDMI output (going to my TV). Since HDMI carries the video & audio from each source, then how can I watch the video from one source (cable) while listening to the audio from another source (CD). Is this possible ? It is possible in analog hookups, but I don't know how to do it in a pure HDMI setup ?

2) Why is it necessary to have more than 2 HDMI inputs to a TV ? It seems to me that you would only need 1 input from a receiver, and possibly another from a video camera. Why would you need a 3rd input ? I'm not saying it isn't used - I'm just trying to think of a scenario which would need it.

I thank you so much for your feedback on this. I really appreciate it.

v

troy evans · 04-17-2008, 01:00 AM

On the first question. Once you switch a source on the receiver, that current source is dominant. If there is a way to do it, I haven't heard about it yet. Maybe someone else out there can enlighten us both. Well, to answer your second question. Not everyone has a receiver to hook-up the different sources of HDMI. Some may be content to get the Hi-Def video and say "no thanks" to the audio portion. In which case having multiple inputs on the tv itself would be important. Why a person wouldn't want to have that glorious audio is beyond me, but, there are some that don't.

andrew markworthy · 04-17-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Why a person wouldn't want to have that glorious audio is beyond me, but, there are some that don't.

Er ... how about:

(1) people living in apartments with consideration for their neighbors?
(2) people who can't afford a new amp or don't want to change their old one that doesn't have HDMI input?

Cees Alons · 04-17-2008, 03:55 AM

(3) The TV in people's bedrooms or studies or the like.
(4) TVs of the deaf-or-hearing-impaired.

Equipment possibly connected to a TV:
- BD player
- HD DVD player
- "other region" player(s)
- VHS player
- cable box
- camcorder
- game console
- CD player
- receiver / decoder

Even the very best available decoder at the moment (the Denon AVP-A1HDCI) has only 6 HDMI inputs, so even those who have that one, may still need other entries.

Cees

Stephen Tu · 04-17-2008, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyDarkstar

1) I have a setup of 3 HDMI components (cable box ; DVD ; computer) which are hooked up to my receiver with 3 HDMI inputs & 1 HDMI output (going to my TV). Since HDMI carries the video & audio from each source, then how can I watch the video from one source (cable) while listening to the audio from another source (CD). Is this possible ? It is possible in analog hookups, but I don't know how to do it in a pure HDMI setup ?

This is going to be highly receiver dependent. Tell us your model # and someone will probably be able to figure out if & how it can be done on yours.

For example, on my receiver, an Onkyo 705, selecting an audio only source doesn't change the video input from the last one used. So you can hit cable first then change it to CD to get video from cable and audio from CD. But you can't do this with DVD since that changes the video as well. Other receivers can be either more or less flexible in this regard.

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Jeff Gatie · 04-17-2008, 08:08 AM

1) As someone said, it is receiver dependent and a pretty esoteric function at that. Stephen gave you a good start with the Onkyo suggestion.

2) I would guess the vast majority of TV's do not have any surround sound system attached. This does not mean they do not have various cable boxes, DVD players and game systems attached. More and more of these items are using HDMI, so more HDMI ports are needed. It's the same reason why TV's still come with speakers, even though I've never even heard the speakers on my main set.

MyDarkstar · 04-17-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Tu

This is going to be highly receiver dependent. Tell us your model # and someone will probably be able to figure out if & how it can be done on yours.

For example, on my receiver, an Onkyo 705, selecting an audio only source doesn't change the video input from the last one used. So you can hit cable first then change it to CD to get video from cable and audio from CD. But you can't do this with DVD since that changes the video as well. Other receivers can be either more or less flexible in this regard.

I figured it was receiver dependent, but wasn't sure. But that's how I want to hook it up because of the audio benefits (tell me if I'm thinking incorrectly).

Anyway - you asked for my receiver...I don't actually have my receiver yet - but the one I am thinking about getting is the new SONY STR-DG820 because it has 4 HDMI inputs. But I don't think I'll be able to play video from one source & audio from another w/ that setup. As far as I can see, this is a huge fault in HDMI, because HDMI dictates both the audio & the video.

I think the ideal way for an HDMI receiver to function would be for it to allow the users to setup different configurations, and in those configurations you would be able to say where the audio would come from & where the video would come from. Here is what I mean :

Configuration A

audio - computer
video - cable

With this you could watch TV while listening to an mp3 file from your computer

Configuration B

audio - CD
video - computer

With this you could listen to a CD while surfing on the net with your TV as the monitor

etc etc...

So if you could program these individual configurations into your receiver you could just select "Configuration B" on the receiver & get the result you want. But as it is now, you can only select one source.

If somebody knows a way around this then please let me know.

thanks again,

v

chuckg · 04-17-2008, 01:58 PM

I would guess that for the majority of users, they want the audio and video to match. It is possible that the receiver builders just never thought of a situation where you want picture and sound from different sources. (I couldn't think of one until your example, which I assume means use the computer on-screen while listening to some other music from a CD)

You could always use the HDMI inputs on the TV, and switch video input at the TV. An HDMI splitter could also send sound to the audio receiver, and you would use the receiver to select what you hear. A step back, perhaps, but it is one way to get what you want. A good programmable universal remote might make the switching and selecting easier.

Stephen Tu · 04-17-2008, 08:58 PM

Well, you probably can't accomplish the task with *only* HDMI, you probably have to run SPDIF/optical/analog stereo for CD/Tape/MD/other "audio only" inputs. I don't know how specifically the Sony behaves, but current Yamaha & Onkyo receivers work like I described earlier, can select an audio only device & keep the last video selected, at least according to the manuals. You'll have to find someone on some forum that actually owns the Sony & can report the behavior.

I think receivers are trying to simplify things for most people, who have a tough enough time hooking things up as they are given the multiplying connection options. Those of us who want more flexibility have to get creative and use additional connections.