Dolby Digital via amp

lamby · 04-08-2015, 11:05

Hey

I have an old Onkyo amp that doesn't allow Dolby Digital over HDMI.

I have an LG TV, Freesat box, BluRay and Media PC that i want to connect by HDMI and get Dolby Didgital out.

Do you have any recommended units to use?

Deacon1972 · 04-08-2015, 11:45

For £120 Onkyo's entry model supports Dolby Digital, DTS and HD Audio over HDMI. It also has Bluetooth, usb and supports Flac, apple lossless, AAC.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-txsr333-blk

Are you looking at entry level or something higher up in the range, have you got a budget in mind?

lamby · 04-08-2015, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

For £120 Onkyo's entry model supports Dolby Digital, DTS and HD Audio over HDMI. It also has Bluetooth, usb and supports Flac, apple lossless, AAC.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-txsr333-blk

Are you looking at entry level or something higher up in the range, have you got a budget in mind?

Im not sure really, what differences are "higher up" models?

Cheers

Deacon1972 · 04-08-2015, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamby

Im not sure really, what differences are "higher up" models?

Cheers

More power.
Additonal channels ie. 7.1, 9.2.
Better quality amps/DAC's.
Multichannel inputs.
2/3 HDMI outputs.
HDMI zones outs.
Upscaling
Upconversion.
Multiroom.
Networking (wired/wireless, internet radio).
Apple airplay.
THX certification.
Dolby Atmos.

All depends what you want out of the receiver/system.....

lamby · 04-08-2015, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

More power.
Additonal channels ie. 7.1, 9.2.
Better quality amps/DAC's.
Multichannel inputs.
2/3 HDMI outputs.
HDMI zones outs.
Upscaling
Upconversion.
Multiroom.
Networking (wired/wireless, internet radio).
Apple airplay.
THX certification.
Dolby Atmos.

All depends what you want out of the receiver/system.....

only need 1 HDMI out, whats HDMI zone outs?

chrisjr · 04-08-2015, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamby

only need 1 HDMI out, whats HDMI zone outs?

If you only need a single HDMI out then don't worry too much about all the bells and whistles like multiple outputs and the like.

What sort of budget do you have in mind. That Onkyo is a very good entry level amp. A bit further up the price scale is the Yamaha RXV-377

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ama-rxv377-blk

And going further up the scale

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-txnr535-blk
http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ama-rxv477-blk

Any of those would do a very good job, just depends on the depth of your wallet.

Also what speakers do you have? Are they any good or are they too in need of replacement? If you are into replacing the whole lot then have a look at

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...0/yama-yht1810
http://www.richersounds.com/package/...eals/pah012361
http://www.richersounds.com/package/...eals/pah011898

If you are serious about all of this then you could do a lot worse than go to your nearest Richersounds and ask if they can demo some of the kit, especially the speaker packages if you are going down that route.

Deacon1972 · 04-08-2015, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamby

only need 1 HDMI out, whats HDMI zone outs?

You can feed other zones (rooms) with video/audio over HDMI. Some amps allow two different sources to be played ie. Sky HD in the lounge, bluray in another room.

Chris Frost · 04-08-2015, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamby

Hey

I have an old Onkyo amp that doesn't allow Dolby Digital over HDMI.

I have an LG TV, Freesat box, BluRay and Media PC that i want to connect by HDMI and get Dolby Didgital out.

Do you have any recommended units to use?

If you just want DD (and DTS too) then there's more than one way to achieve that. You don't need audio via HDMI. Optical and Coax both support DD and DTS.

LG TV - use Optical

Freesat box - use Optical or Coax as appropriate

Blu-ray player - if the Onkyo support 5.1/6.1/7.1 PCM over HDMI then set the BD player to decode all formats (DD, DTS, and the HD audio formats) before the signal leaves the player. The Onkyo will then treat the signal as multichannel PCM. The sound quality will be the same as if your amp had DD etc decoding.

If the amp doesn't support multichannel PCM over HDMI then your only hope is to use an optical or coax lead. Both of these connection formats top-out at DD and DTS. Set the player to downconvert HD audio to DD/DTS if that's an option.

If the BD player has no optical or coax then you're stuffed until you either get a better player or upgrade the amp.

Media PC - use Optical or Coax as appropriate

Configuring the amp........ Check the set-up menus for something like Input Assign. This will let you specify where the sound signal comes from for each of the amps input channels.

lamby · 04-08-2015, 18:44

Thanks for the replies.

The budget is £150-200

I think it does PCM, it was given by my dad. It's silver and everything else if black so stands out.

I'll look at the suggested models above thanks.

lamby · 07-08-2015, 12:56

Just an update

I am looking at Yamaha receivers. The current power output is 70. I am looking at paying a bit extra and getting power output of 80-90. Will i notice much dfference/is it worth the extra cost?

Cheers

Nigel Goodwin · 07-08-2015, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamby

Just an update

I am looking at Yamaha receivers. The current power output is 70. I am looking at paying a bit extra and getting power output of 80-90. Will i notice much dfference/is it worth the extra cost?

No, you need ten times the power to be twice as loud.

However, you also need to be aware that the claimed power output on most (if not all?) of these systems is mostly imaginary - and as such you can't really make any comparisons.

chrisjr · 07-08-2015, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamby

Just an update

I am looking at Yamaha receivers. The current power output is 70. I am looking at paying a bit extra and getting power output of 80-90. Will i notice much dfference/is it worth the extra cost?

Cheers

The difference between 70 and 90 W will be hardly noticeable. Though it also depends on whether your speakers can take that power, if not then you could easily cause damage, most likely blow the tweeters.

In reality you will probably be running at no more than 10W per speaker at reasonable volumes, possibly only single figure wattages. You certainly won't be getting anywhere near the full output of the amps. And if you did use the full power of the amps I've no doubt the neighbours would be coming round to have a quiet word at the very least.

lamby · 07-08-2015, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

The difference between 70 and 90 W will be hardly noticeable. Though it also depends on whether your speakers can take that power, if not then you could easily cause damage, most likely blow the tweeters.

In reality you will probably be running at no more than 10W per speaker at reasonable volumes, possibly only single figure wattages. You certainly won't be getting anywhere near the full output of the amps. And if you did use the full power of the amps I've no doubt the neighbours would be coming round to have a quiet word at the very least.

lol

Thanks for the advice, they are Tannoy and i think the power is 90 max.

So in conclusion, a 70 power outout will be fine.

Cheers

jjne · 19-08-2015, 16:31

Cheap solution would be to buy an HDMI switch with optical output.

Connect the output HDMI to your TV, input HDMIs to your sources and the optical/coax to your existing amp (assuming it can do DD/DTS through optical).

They're about £15 for a 4-way device.

04-08-2015, 11:05	#1
lamby Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,332	Dolby Digital via amp Hey I have an old Onkyo amp that doesn't allow Dolby Digital over HDMI. I have an LG TV, Freesat box, BluRay and Media PC that i want to connect by HDMI and get Dolby Didgital out. Do you have any recommended units to use?

04-08-2015, 11:45	#2
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	For £120 Onkyo's entry model supports Dolby Digital, DTS and HD Audio over HDMI. It also has Bluetooth, usb and supports Flac, apple lossless, AAC. http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-txsr333-blk Are you looking at entry level or something higher up in the range, have you got a budget in mind?

04-08-2015, 13:46	#3
lamby Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,332	Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 For £120 Onkyo's entry model supports Dolby Digital, DTS and HD Audio over HDMI. It also has Bluetooth, usb and supports Flac, apple lossless, AAC. http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-txsr333-blk Are you looking at entry level or something higher up in the range, have you got a budget in mind? Im not sure really, what differences are "higher up" models? Cheers

04-08-2015, 14:23	#4
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by lamby Im not sure really, what differences are "higher up" models? Cheers More power. Additonal channels ie. 7.1, 9.2. Better quality amps/DAC's. Multichannel inputs. 2/3 HDMI outputs. HDMI zones outs. Upscaling Upconversion. Multiroom. Networking (wired/wireless, internet radio). Apple airplay. THX certification. Dolby Atmos. All depends what you want out of the receiver/system.....

04-08-2015, 14:47	#5
lamby Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,332	Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 More power. Additonal channels ie. 7.1, 9.2. Better quality amps/DAC's. Multichannel inputs. 2/3 HDMI outputs. HDMI zones outs. Upscaling Upconversion. Multiroom. Networking (wired/wireless, internet radio). Apple airplay. THX certification. Dolby Atmos. All depends what you want out of the receiver/system..... only need 1 HDMI out, whats HDMI zone outs?

04-08-2015, 15:12	#6
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by lamby only need 1 HDMI out, whats HDMI zone outs? If you only need a single HDMI out then don't worry too much about all the bells and whistles like multiple outputs and the like. What sort of budget do you have in mind. That Onkyo is a very good entry level amp. A bit further up the price scale is the Yamaha RXV-377 http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ama-rxv377-blk And going further up the scale http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-txnr535-blk http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ama-rxv477-blk Any of those would do a very good job, just depends on the depth of your wallet. Also what speakers do you have? Are they any good or are they too in need of replacement? If you are into replacing the whole lot then have a look at http://www.richersounds.com/product/...0/yama-yht1810 http://www.richersounds.com/package/...eals/pah012361 http://www.richersounds.com/package/...eals/pah011898 If you are serious about all of this then you could do a lot worse than go to your nearest Richersounds and ask if they can demo some of the kit, especially the speaker packages if you are going down that route.

04-08-2015, 15:15	#7
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by lamby only need 1 HDMI out, whats HDMI zone outs? You can feed other zones (rooms) with video/audio over HDMI. Some amps allow two different sources to be played ie. Sky HD in the lounge, bluray in another room.

04-08-2015, 16:23	#8
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	Quote: Originally Posted by lamby Hey I have an old Onkyo amp that doesn't allow Dolby Digital over HDMI. I have an LG TV, Freesat box, BluRay and Media PC that i want to connect by HDMI and get Dolby Didgital out. Do you have any recommended units to use? If you just want DD (and DTS too) then there's more than one way to achieve that. You don't need audio via HDMI. Optical and Coax both support DD and DTS. LG TV - use Optical Freesat box - use Optical or Coax as appropriate Blu-ray player - if the Onkyo support 5.1/6.1/7.1 PCM over HDMI then set the BD player to decode all formats (DD, DTS, and the HD audio formats) before the signal leaves the player. The Onkyo will then treat the signal as multichannel PCM. The sound quality will be the same as if your amp had DD etc decoding. If the amp doesn't support multichannel PCM over HDMI then your only hope is to use an optical or coax lead. Both of these connection formats top-out at DD and DTS. Set the player to downconvert HD audio to DD/DTS if that's an option. If the BD player has no optical or coax then you're stuffed until you either get a better player or upgrade the amp. Media PC - use Optical or Coax as appropriate Configuring the amp........ Check the set-up menus for something like Input Assign. This will let you specify where the sound signal comes from for each of the amps input channels.

04-08-2015, 18:44	#9
lamby Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,332	Thanks for the replies. The budget is £150-200 I think it does PCM, it was given by my dad. It's silver and everything else if black so stands out. I'll look at the suggested models above thanks.

07-08-2015, 12:56	#10
lamby Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,332	Just an update I am looking at Yamaha receivers. The current power output is 70. I am looking at paying a bit extra and getting power output of 80-90. Will i notice much dfference/is it worth the extra cost? Cheers

07-08-2015, 13:10	#11
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by lamby Just an update I am looking at Yamaha receivers. The current power output is 70. I am looking at paying a bit extra and getting power output of 80-90. Will i notice much dfference/is it worth the extra cost? No, you need ten times the power to be twice as loud. However, you also need to be aware that the claimed power output on most (if not all?) of these systems is mostly imaginary - and as such you can't really make any comparisons.

07-08-2015, 13:31	#12
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by lamby Just an update I am looking at Yamaha receivers. The current power output is 70. I am looking at paying a bit extra and getting power output of 80-90. Will i notice much dfference/is it worth the extra cost? Cheers The difference between 70 and 90 W will be hardly noticeable. Though it also depends on whether your speakers can take that power, if not then you could easily cause damage, most likely blow the tweeters. In reality you will probably be running at no more than 10W per speaker at reasonable volumes, possibly only single figure wattages. You certainly won't be getting anywhere near the full output of the amps. And if you did use the full power of the amps I've no doubt the neighbours would be coming round to have a quiet word at the very least.

07-08-2015, 13:34	#13
lamby Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,332	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr The difference between 70 and 90 W will be hardly noticeable. Though it also depends on whether your speakers can take that power, if not then you could easily cause damage, most likely blow the tweeters. In reality you will probably be running at no more than 10W per speaker at reasonable volumes, possibly only single figure wattages. You certainly won't be getting anywhere near the full output of the amps. And if you did use the full power of the amps I've no doubt the neighbours would be coming round to have a quiet word at the very least. lol Thanks for the advice, they are Tannoy and i think the power is 90 max. So in conclusion, a 70 power outout will be fine. Cheers

19-08-2015, 16:31	#14
jjne Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 6,487	Cheap solution would be to buy an HDMI switch with optical output. Connect the output HDMI to your TV, input HDMIs to your sources and the optical/coax to your existing amp (assuming it can do DD/DTS through optical). They're about £15 for a 4-way device.

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Dolby Digital via amp