I have ordered an Onkyo 609 A/V amp. Does the Humax Foxsat HDR output full 5.1 thru the HDMI cable or do I need an opto cable as well.
I assumed HDMI was all that was needed but I've now seen that Sky HD boxes only have stereo on the HDMI.

On my Humax I used a HDMI out to my TV, and then an optical out from my TV to my audio system, and 5.1 seemed to be fine, so I'm pretty sure that you can use either.

Yes the hdr outputs 5.1 on hdmi and optical s/pdif. You can use either (or both if you wish )

Thank you. I'll try the HDMI then, when the amp arrives!

The BBC HD Channels are the only ones that broadcast in 5.1 aren't they ?

No, Channel 4HD brodcast 5.1 and as for ITV HD, I have not yet, managed to catch a single transmission in 5.1

Not many TV sets are capable of doing that. More usual is to connect PVR (and other AV sources such as Bluray player) to the AV amp with HDMI then HDMI from AV amp to TV. So basically using the AV amp as the source switcher.

But I have an ancient AV amp with no HDMI connectivity so I have to get creative with optical and co-ax leads although I have recently got myself a dedicated HDMI/optical switcher but will not need to plumb it in until and unless I add a Freeview HD box to my set up.

Most sets cant do a 5.1 output so I use the optical to my surround system.

Id do a check on the BBC test card to make sure you are really getting 5.1, you might be getting pro logic instead.

Thanks, I thought I checked to see if that Wolverine movie was in 5.1 DD and my amp said it wasn't, I must of been mistaken. (I've now deleted it)
Just checked Transformers 3 and that is clearly in 5.1 from just listening to the first few seconds and my amp confirms that it is in DD as well.

I often have to give my amp a nudge to get it to recognise the DD signal as such especially on CH4HD after an ad break.

How important is the quality or standard of the HDMI cable.
I bought a high speed with internet for 8 euros.

Has anyone found that the cheap ones give problems?

Not important at all, that will be the same as a £100 one. There is no difference at all to the picture or sound.

The only criteria of any importance is whether the digital data gets from source to destination unscathed. If it does then it doesn't matter if the cable cost 20p from a car boot sale or you went on line and got ripped off for 20 grand! (and yes you can spend stupid money on a bit of wire if you have had your brain surgically removed )

Cheap cables can and sometimes do mangle the data due to poor construction and poor quality materials. But such mangling is liable to be pretty obvious. For example break up in the image or increased noise.

Exactly, it either works or it doesnt, theres no "better picture" gained by using a more expensive cable with digital.

Many modern TV's have the ARC facilty (Audio Return Channel) via HDMI to modern AV amps, but in my experience it doesn't work too well, my set up will only return stereo audio via ARC but 5.1 via optical from my Sony KDL40EX503 TV to my Yamaha RX-V667 Amp, not sure whether it's a limitation in either piece of equipment or whether it's due to poor drafting of HDMI 1.4 ARC specification.

Anyway my Sony TV will definitely route Foxsat 5.1 via HDMI to the Yamaha (and also others like my WDTV Live), works perfectly..

Patrick

I have the same Sony TV, and was having problems (as others are) with 5.1 on Ch4 (it pulses) and the same with ITV HD on my Denon AVR1602.

I was hoping that connecting the TV to my amp with an optical cable would cure the problem with my Foxsat connected to the TV with HDMI.

However I only get stereo from my 5.1 BBC HD recordings.

I guess its time for a new amp!

My Denon AVR-F100 amp is way older than yours but recognises DD5.1 from BBC HD.

My AVR1602 is also fine on BBC HD optically connected from the Humax, its ITVHD and Ch4HD that has the intermittent sound problem.