Added a receiver to my setup, can't get it to work...HELP!

SDRANGER619 · 02-26-2008, 06:48 PM

Hey everyone, Just wanted to start out by saying "wow" this is an awesome site. Tons of info! Well...I'm new here and I just bought a receiver to take the place of my "home theater in a box" type of set up. Connecting my system has been a nightmare and I even consider myself pretty savy when it comes to electronics....hope you all can help.

Here is the gear i'm running:

46" SONY Bravia LCD FP 1080p
Pioneer receiver model VSX-917V-K **new**
HD Cable box/DVR (through COX Cable)
PlayStation 3

I want to connect my system using all digital wiring; want to get away from analog. My main problem I'm getting is that when i connect all of my components via HDMI (and some optical) wires I don't get any audio unless I run regular (red/white) rca cables to hear audio. Any ideas as to what I can do?

Here is how I have my equipment set up now...

From my wall the cable goes into my HD Cable Box.
HD cable box has an HDMI output
I run the HDMI cable from the cable box to my TV
1 optical wire to my receiver
My PS3 is connected via HDMI to my TV
Audio wires connected via analog RCA cables from PS3 to my receiver
DVD Player not connected (that's another issue I'll address later)

So IDEALLY this is how I thought I could connect everything...

Cable goes into my cable box
HDMI out from cable box into IN of receiver
DVD player HDMI out to the IN of my receiver
HDMI cable from Receiver's OUT HDMI slot to my TV
My PS3, I envisioned connected via HDMI to my TV
1 optical wire on my TV's digital out to the IN of my receiver

Was I too ambitious in thinking this would work?

Thanks for all your help in advance.

gene c · 02-26-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Cable goes into my cable box
HDMI out from cable box into IN of receiver
DVD player HDMI out to the IN of my receiver
HDMI cable from Receiver's OUT HDMI slot to my TV
My PS3, I envisioned connected via HDMI to my TV
1 optical wire on my TV's digital out to the IN of my receiver

You need an audio output from the cable box to the receiver, preferabally digital (optical or coaxial). I don't see a need for the optical from the tv to the receiver. You may also have to "assign" your audio inputs in your receiver. See page 62. Hope this helps.

Bluzman · 02-26-2008, 09:37 PM

Your receiver doesn't handle audio received via HDMI so every HDMI source you connect to the receiver requires a corresponding audio connection.

SDRANGER619 · 02-27-2008, 08:38 AM

Thank you all for the responses thus far. IMO this is a crummy feature..why have HDMI in/outputs and not support the audio portion?

IF you had the opportunity to return this receiver and get another, would any other brand come to mind?

I considered a Yamaha model: RX-V661BL. My max price range is $500

Ed Moxley · 02-27-2008, 10:11 AM

I'd get the Onkyo 605, personally. It can handle the audio portion of the HDMI connections. The 605 has two HDMI inputs. The 705 has three. Check at Amazon.com for good prices on these receivers. These can handle the HD audio from Blu ray movies, played on the ps3.

Quote:

IMO this is a crummy feature..why have HDMI in/outputs and not support the audio portion?

It's mainly for ease of switching sources.

BTW........
The optical out on tvs, is for 5.1 when you use the built-in HD tuner to receiver HD programming over the air, with an antenna.

**HTF Ads**

SDRANGER619 · 02-27-2008, 11:43 AM

I understand a bit better now. wow, and here I thought I dotted all my "i"s and crossed my "t"s before purchasing this receiver.

Thank you for the tip in choosing the Onkyo 605 receiver. Unfortunately I purchased this receiver at Best Buy as a result of me returning an HD-DVD player; since it was more than 30 days I was only able to get store credit. I'll try and return this one and get a refund so I can run over to Circuit City and pick up the Oknyo model.

What do you think of the Denon AVR-1908 it's a little more expensive, but is it worth it?

SDRANGER619 · 02-27-2008, 12:13 PM

I've been thinking about this for a bit...would all the effort in repackaging the receiver, returning it, hoping I get a refund and going to purchase a new one at a different store be worth it?

I'm starting to think I'll just suck it up and deal with what I have. I figure it will take a few more wires to get my system to sound how I want.

Thoughts?

Ed Moxley · 02-27-2008, 01:17 PM

I would try for the refund, personally. If I had a high def tv, and the ps3 (Blu ray player), I would definitely want to hear the lossless HD audio soundtracks of the BD movies. That isn't possible with what you have.

SDRANGER619 · 02-27-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Moxley

I would try for the refund, personally. If I had a high def tv, and the ps3 (Blu ray player), I would definitely want to hear the lossless HD audio soundtracks of the BD movies. That isn't possible with what you have.

wouldn't an optical wire from the PS3 to the Receiver give me this with the Pioneer receiver?

Sorry for the multiple questions...thanks for putting up with my ignorance..

I just want to have all my bases covered when I try and sell this to the wife.