Sony KDL-46S4100 Optical Out Problems (1 Viewer)

[Im D Milkman]

I just purchased this amazing TV yesterday. It is amazing and I love it so far, except for one somewhat huge issue. I have a Pioneer SX-315 5.1 Surround Sound receiver that has a digital in (optical). When I run my optical cable from my optical out on my TV to my optical in on my receiver, I don't get sound to my receiver when I'm using an HDMI connection. My Video 1 (S-Video and A/V sound) connection gets sound to my receiver via the optical port, but HDMI doesn't. There has to be some sort of a setting I'm missing, because I'm swapped out everything in the equation and double check the equipment to make sure it all works, and everything is good. I contacted Sony Support and the lady (who didn't sound like she knew her left foot from her right) said I needed a connection to my coax on my TV to get the optical to work for my HDMI inputs. Doesn't make sense to you either? Didn't think so. Anyone think they can help me out here, thanks.

 

[Alon Goldberg]

Hi Brock, welcome to HTF!

I suspect that your HDTV does not perform audio switching via HDMI (most do not), which is why it will not output via optical audio when connected via HDMI.

However, I woudn't advise connecting the audio outputs on your Television to your receiver, as most sets will not pass DD 5.1. Instead, connect your source directly to your receiver via optical audio or digital coax, as an example:

DVD Player HDMI output ===> Television HDMI input
DVD Player Optical output ===> Receiver Optical input

Cheers,
Alon

 

[Im D Milkman]

That's what I was afraid of. My receiver only has one optical port and it doesn't do video, so I'm stuck with only getting surround sound from one source. I have a PS3, Xbox 360 & HD Satellite, so I want to get surround for all of these. Looks like I'm going to have to be getting a new receiver. Anyone have any experience or comments on the Sony HT-SS2300, it retails for $400 and has 3 HDMI inputs with an HDMI out and 1000W 5.1 Surround Sound. I'm not looking to spend $1,500, so does this one seem nice.

 

[Robert_J]

If you current receiver has an open coax digital input, then one of these will work. I have used the silver Impact converter ($15) and it worked perfectly.

If you have multiple coax devices, then you can use a switch box. I read that people used composite video switcher from Wal-Mart to switch coax digital. Those are about $20 from Wal-Mart.

-Robert

 

[Ed Moxley]

Instead of the Sony, I'd look at this one:
Amazon.com: Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black): Audio & Video
It's under $400, has 4 HDMI inputs, and can handle the HD audio from blu ray movies played on the PS3.

 

[windmillgolfer]

I realise this reply is probably too late for the original enquirer, but it may help others now facing the same problem.


There's a much simpler and inexpensive answer to the issue of having only one optical input but needing to use more than one optical output device. When faced with three devices that use optical out and a receiver with only one optical in, I too thought I'd need to buy a new receiver. However, it is possible to buy an Optical switch, mine has three inputs (PS3, Sky and Humax PVR) and one output to my Denon receiver. I bought four optical cables and the switch (from eBay in my case) for under £20/$30. OK, you have to remember to manually switch to the appropriate input device but otherwise it works like a dream.