Apologies if this topic has been covered before (I'm sure that it has) but when viewing a DD5.1 encoded transmission on the PVR I know that I can get DD5.1 audio via the optical connection, but in that situation, what's delivered over the HDMI connection - stereo audio, LPCM 5.1, something else?

I have posted on the AVForums about this and got conflicting replies, and my email to Humax UK for information remains unanswered (nice customer service Humax if you're reading this).

I'm soon to get a new a/v amplifier. I don't know whether audio-wise I can route the HDMI connection through the amp. - no point doing that if all I'll get is 2-channel audio when via the optical connection I can get 5.1.

TIA


Clem

If the A/V amp supports 5.1 over HDMI then that is what you will get. Not all A/V amps do support 5.1 over the HDMI port so check the one you intend to buy does.
My Onkyo does but unfortunately the BBC seem to have decided to not transmit 5.1 of late and virtually all output is dobly digital stereo.

Edit: I just noticed how I spelt Dolby !! But I'm gonna leave it cos that's what I called it when I was a kid.

I get on my unit the following via HDMI

Linear PCM 48Khz on BBC1 101
Dolby Digital 3/21 on BBC HD Testcard (on at the moment)

All but the HD channels are in Linear PCM 48Khz

Automan.

Many thanks for the prompt replies guys. Automan - you mention LPCM - is that 5.1 if a 5.1 broadcast is being transmitted? Sorry to labour the point but I've yet to mess with all things HDMI - I'm finally getting my first TV with HDMI connections this week - so right now, I feel a bit of a muppet with all this new-fangled connectivity!


Clem

All multi channel audio is Dolby, and it is passed on HDMI. My amp reads the same as Automan's.

To output Dolby Digital you are better off buying
the HDMI 1.4 Specification cable, as it is already future proof,
they can output sound and 3D and Ethernet sources,
basically making your devices connected to the Internet
with one wire instead of two the HDMI cable
and the Ethernet Cable

Look on the Humax website on click on HDR FOX T2 page
then on Manual to see how to set up
your system for Dolby Digital and what settings to use,
if it cannot output Dolby Digital now,
then it will in a future software update coming later this year

See www.humaxdigital.com/uk for more details

ITV1-HD from Granada uses a mp2 (mpeg1 - layer2) as do all the SD channels. The box decodes this to linear pcm stereo. ITV1-HD is DD2.0 (Stereo). BBC-HD can be either DD2.0 or DD 5.1. The BBC-HD preview loop is all in 5.1 and includes a 5.1 channel ID and level check with the HD testcard

Graham - thanks for the reply, but now I'm confused! Based on what you've kindly posted it looks like the HDMI feed does carry 5.1 audio when it's available. However, in the reply that I got from Humax today I was told that the HDMI feed "was stereo for the TV".

Sounds like the Humax bod might be wrong .... not very reassuring, is it?


Clem