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No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

post #1 of 9
2/6/09 at 6:17am
Thread Starter 
HT newby here. When I use my cable set-top box as a source, I get video but no audio? I have a Sony STR DA4300ES receiver, and a motorola set-top box. If I run the 3-wire (component video set up?) directly to the TV it works fine, but when I run the same wires to the receiver (cable/SAT input) they don't work (video, but no audio). I have a single HDMI output to the TV, and it seems to be fine, because my blu-ray player works through it (blu-ray uses and HDMI to connect to receiver's HDMI input). I currently do not have any external speakers hooked up.

So, it seems that the HDMI to TV is okay, and blu-ray HDMI is okay; but something is going wrong with the cable to receiver--or actually in the receiver?

I reported this to my vendor, and they said the receiver was faulty. They sent me new one, and it has the same problem?

Any help is most appreciated. I want to get rid of those 3 wires hanging down my wall!

Thanks,
Jeff
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post #2 of 9
2/6/09 at 7:20am

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

HDMI from DVD player to receiver to TV is a straight, same-format or almost the same format path for audio. In your case I assume the receiver is passing through the HDMI signal unchanged. Analog audio inputs to the receiver's own speaker outputs, tape audio outputs, and/or monitor audio outputs (red and white jacks) involves no format changes also.

Connecting the cable box cables directly from cable box to TV, you select one of the analog inputs such as Video 3 on the TV remote and the TV then works fine.

Composite or component video together with analog audio (red/white cables) from cable box to receiver followed by HDMI from receiver to TV involves a significant format change the receiver must make. You will need to recheck your receiver instructions on how to make the audio cross feed from the analog inputs to the HDMI output, if that is even possible.

Now the receiver should cross feed the other way, from (digital) HDMI input to (analog) built in amps for external speakers. But not all do.
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post #3 of 9
2/6/09 at 7:30am

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

Your receiver is not going to take analog audio from the L/R red/white analog cables and convert it to HDMI audio for input to the TV. Why? Well, because a receiver is not really used to transfer any audio to the TV. The receiver's job is to remove audio from the TV and output it as surround sound. If you really want audio on the TV speakers, why have a receiver at all?

My advice, skip any cables going into the receiver until you get external speakers. Right now your receiver is nothing but an overpriced switcher, and not a very good one at that.
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post #4 of 9
2/6/09 at 7:50am
Thread Starter 

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

Thanks Allen and Jeff!

I have speakers on order, but they are out-of-stock; so I am using the TV speakers until I can get the full 7.1 set up.

I think that I understand your comments. So, if I hook up a pair of external speakers (I have two that I can use now) to the front channels, they should work--Correct? Although, I will not have anything near surround sound.

I am just trying to figure out if there is a problem with the receiver, but it sounds like there is not; and also, I want to make sure that I have it hooked up correctly, in the end.

When I hook up the various speakers, will I get surround sound from cable movies, or will that need to come from a recorded source which used a Dolby, etc., format?

Thanks again,
Jeff
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post #5 of 9
2/6/09 at 8:19am

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

Metlaw:

Just so I'm clear about something:

Quote:
If I run the 3-wire (component video set up?) directly to the TV it works fine...

Which 3 wires are we talking about here? If you have 3 wires with red, white and yellow RCA connectors at the end, with the yellow wire heavier than the other two, then you're dealing with composite video. The yellow wire carries the video signal and the red and white connections carry the left and right channel audio info. They connect to corresponding red, white and yellow jacks on the receiver and/or television. Component video cables carry only video and consist of three wires of equal thickness that end in red, blue and green RCA connectors.

Regards,

Joe
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post #6 of 9
2/6/09 at 8:31am
Thread Starter 

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

Joe,

Thanks for the help in what the type of video is. It sounds like I have composite video running. The yellow cable is thicker, and it is accompanied by a red and white cable. These mate with the back of the set-top box; however, there is also an orange port which I believe is labeled "digital audio", but I am not using that. I run these cables to the "Cable/SAT input" plugs on the back of the receiver (but get no audio from the TV); but when I plug them directly into the side of the TV (Samsung LN46a850) everything works great (i.e., I get sound and video from the TV)?

Thanks,
Jeff
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post #7 of 9
2/6/09 at 10:26am

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

Quote:
Originally Posted by metlaw
Thanks Allen and Jeff!

I have speakers on order, but they are out-of-stock; so I am using the TV speakers until I can get the full 7.1 set up.

I think that I understand your comments. So, if I hook up a pair of external speakers (I have two that I can use now) to the front channels, they should work--Correct? Although, I will not have anything near surround sound.

I am just trying to figure out if there is a problem with the receiver, but it sounds like there is not; and also, I want to make sure that I have it hooked up correctly, in the end.

When I hook up the various speakers, will I get surround sound from cable movies, or will that need to come from a recorded source which used a Dolby, etc., format?

Thanks again,
Jeff

Yes, you would get sound when/if you hook up speakers. As to your "surround from the cable TV" question - I do have to ask: Since you have an HDMI equipped TV, I assume it is HD. Composite output from your cable box is just about the worst quality you can get, and it is certainly not HD. I would look into getting an HD cable box. In addition to a much, much better picture, the HD box will have a digital audio out and/or HDMI port that will allow your sound system to receive DD 5.1 surround from HD (and other) channels. Right now, you only get stereo.
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post #8 of 9
2/13/09 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

Jeff:

Okay, I jumped in and spent the extra $6 per month and got the Comcast HD box. Now I have no composite video, only HDMI cables entering and leaving the receiver--except power. I also hooked up a pair of speakers to the front channels, and they work great--I have no sound coming from the TV. I hope to have all of my speakers by the end of the month, and then I can really enjoy the HT experience.

Thanks to all for their kind assistance.
Jeff
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post #9 of 9
2/13/09 at 11:38am

Re: No sound from cable box if hooked to receiver

Glad to be of help. Enjoy!
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