Problem with optical out on TV

I have a Phillips TV with a SPDIF audio out port and when I connect it to my V465 Receiver, it sounds like complete ****. There is this horrible static noise. I checked it with a different receiver to make sure it wasn't that, but it still did it. There is no setting through the menu on the TV to send sound only through the SPDIF. There is an "alternate sound" option on the TV, but it's greyed out and won't let me select it. Any ideas???

WVHick said:

I have a Phillips TV with a SPDIF audio out port and when I connect it to my V465 Receiver, it sounds like complete ****. There is this horrible static noise. I checked it with a different receiver to make sure it wasn't that, but it still did it. There is no setting through the menu on the TV to send sound only through the SPDIF. There is an "alternate sound" option on the TV, but it's greyed out and won't let me select it. Any ideas???

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First try another cable. Optical cables are easily damaged.

What sources are we talking about? I believe that output isn't TV audio, it is a passthru for audio programming from your cable/sat box via HDMI.

j_garcia said:

What sources are we talking about? I believe that output isn't TV audio, it is a passthru for audio programming from your cable/sat box via HDMI.

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I'm not sure. All it says is "SPDIF out". There are no other out connections on it. Is there anyway I can get the audio through my receiver? It is a relatively new TV, you'd think it'd be easy.

j_garcia said:

What sources are we talking about? I believe that output isn't TV audio, it is a passthru for audio programming from your cable/sat box via HDMI.

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We had better see which TV he has and see if we can find the manual. There are TVs which output audio as SPDIF via optical cable.

OP if your receiver is a modern one, then the correct way to go, is source to receiver and receiver to TV, not the other way around.

What audio outs do your sources have?

TLS Guy said:

We had better see which TV he has and see if we can find the manual. There are TVs which output audio as SPDIF via optical cable.

OP if your receiver is a modern one, then the correct way to go, is source to receiver and receiver to TV, not the other way around.

What audio outs do your sources have?

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The problem is that the cable is coming directly from the wall. There is no box. The TV is a Phillips 32PFL

WVHick said:

The problem is that the cable is coming directly from the wall. There is no box. The TV is a Phillips 32PFL

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You have connected it correctly.

The manual does not say it, but I bet it only outputs Dolby Digital if the input is HDMI. I say that as their is no mention of a Dolby or DTS license in the manual. If the TV had the DOLBY or DTS algorithms, the manual and or the TV would have the logo.

I doubt you will get surround sound without having a cable box with HDMI.

You will likely have to make do with two channel analog.

I think your problems will be solved if you get an HD cable box or HD DVR from your service provider.

I live in an apartment complex and this is the shitty cable they give us. I don't mind if surround sound isn't supported, but it makes a bad noise coming through even two speakers. Sounds like wind.

I have a DVD player hooked up directly HDMI to my TV and when I play a DVD and have my TV route the audio to the receiver it still makes this bad sound and I know Dolby is supported on the DVD.

TLS Guy said:

First try another cable. Optical cables are easily damaged.

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I tried a different one and still the same thing. Radioshack has 6ft Digital Audio cables for $.99 btw.

Sounds like a ground loop issue. If the humming stops when you disconnect the cable, you need an isolation transformer for $9.00 from Parts Express.

WVHick said:

I have a DVD player hooked up directly HDMI to my TV and when I play a DVD and have my TV route the audio to the receiver it still makes this bad sound and I know Dolby is supported on the DVD.

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Is this bad sound the only thing you hear or is it noise in addition to the real audio you are supposed to hear?

MDS said:

Is this bad sound the only thing you hear or is it noise in addition to the real audio you are supposed to hear?

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Noise in addition. Sounds like the wind is blowing 100mph.

WVHick said:

Noise in addition. Sounds like the wind is blowing 100mph.

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Is it wind or hum. You should not get a ground loop of the only connection to your receiver is digital. It sounds as if you have a digital artifact for some reason.

By the way Philips handed the manufacture of their TVs for the American market to the lowest of the low Far Eastern junk manufacturers, so anything is possible.

TLS Guy said:

Is it wind or hum. You should not get a ground loop of the only connection to your receiver is digital. It sounds as if you have a digital artifact for some reason.

By the way Philips handed the manufacture of their TVs for the American market to the lowest of the low Far Eastern junk manufacturers, so anything is possible.

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I don't know, sounds like wind more than hum. Semantics.

WVHick said:

I don't know, sounds like wind more than hum. Semantics.

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First of all I was mistaken, that TV does have a Dolby digital decoder, but it does not say what is outputted from the TV.

Just to lay the ground loop issue to rest, disconnect the cable TV connection to your TV. Now connect your DVD player, to your TV and listen to your receiver via the optical connection. Is the wind still present? If it is not you have a ground loop.

If the wind is present go to page 19 of your manual. Go to the sound set up menu.

Equalizer (make sure this is not activated)
Virtual Surround Sound (set this to off)
Auto Volume Leveling (set this to off)


TV Speakers Speakers (this is probably the problem, easy link is default which is for sending to a Philips easy link device. Set speakers to off).
Auto Sound (make sure this is set to Standard)

The manual does not say what the optical socket outputs. I hope it outputs bit stream. There does not seem to be an option to change it from PCM to bit stream. But if you do run into that option, select bit stream.

If this does not work call Philips customer support and see if your TV needs a software download, to do what you want.

If that fails, you will have to get a cable box and go from cable box to receiver and then from receiver to TV.

TLS Guy said:

First of all I was mistaken, that TV does have a Dolby digital decoder, but it does not say what is outputted from the TV.

Just to lay the ground loop issue to rest, disconnect the cable TV connection to your TV. Now connect your DVD player, to your TV and listen to your receiver via the optical connection. Is the wind still present? If it is not you have a ground loop.

If the wind is present go to page 19 of your manual. Go to the sound set up menu.

Equalizer (make sure this is not activated)
Virtual Surround Sound (set this to off)
Auto Volume Leveling (set this to off)


TV Speakers Speakers (this is probably the problem, easy link is default which is for sending to a Philips easy link device. Set speakers to off).
Auto Sound (make sure this is set to Standard)

The manual does not say what the optical socket outputs. I hope it outputs bit stream. There does not seem to be an option to change it from PCM to bit stream. But if you do run into that option, select bit stream.

If this does not work call Philips customer support and see if your TV needs a software download, to do what you want.

If that fails, you will have to get a cable box and go from cable box to receiver and then from receiver to TV.

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How do I set the speakers and all that to off? I have been all through the menus and see no option for this.

WVHick said:

How do I set the speakers and all that to off? I have been all through the menus and see no option for this.

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Its on page 19 of your manual. Click on sound menu and then change the settings. I know the manual is awful, but you will have to play with it a bit.

That is one of the worst manuals I have come across, so good luck!

TLS Guy said:

Its on page 19 of your manual. Click on sound menu and then change the settings. I know the manual is awful, but you will have to play with it a bit.

That is one of the worst manuals I have come across, so good luck!

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https://www.p4c.philips.com/files/3/32pfl3403d_27/32pfl3403d_27_dfu_aen.pdf

That is my manual. There is nothing about setting speakers to off in it.

WVHick said:

https://www.p4c.philips.com/files/3/32pfl3403d_27/32pfl3403d_27_dfu_aen.pdf

That is my manual. There is nothing about setting speakers to off in it.

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You never gave the full numbers of your TV. I don't read minds.

For your manual it is page 16.

Adjust sound settings
This section describes how to adjust sound settings.
1. Press MENU on the remote control and press
ï to select Sound.
Info
Settings 5 Sound 5
Sound mode
Alternate audio
Sound setting
AVL
Digital audio language ( Set to bit stream if that is an option)
Picture
Sound
Features
Parental control
Installation
2. Press Æto enter the list.
3. Press Î or ï to select one of the following
settings:
• Sound setting
Changes the bass and treble of the sound. Select (leave this alone)
each bar to change a setting.
• Sound mode
Mono, Stereo, Virtual surround. (This unit is supposed to have a six channel Dolby surround, which is true surround. So what virtual surround is I have no idea! I would select it, and if does not work try stereo.)
• Alternate audio
This gives you the possibility to swap between
Main and second audio program (SAP), when it is
available in analog channel. (Leave this alone)
• Digital audio language
This gives you the possibility to swap between
main and alternative language, when it is available
in digital channel. (This may be the key. It does not say what digital languages it has. If bit stream is an option select it. If there is no bit stream option you are probably at a dead end.)
• AVL (Automatic volume leveling)
Reduces sudden volume changes, for example,
during commercials or when switching from one
channel to another.
Select On or Off. (select this to off)
6.3 Use Auto mode
1. Press AUTO MODE on the remote control
to set your TV to a predefined picture and sound
setting.
2. Press Î or ï to select one of the following
settings:
• Personal
The customized settings you defined by using the
Picture menu.
• Sports
Vivid picture settings and clear sound for high
action.
• Standard (Select Standard)
For normal TV viewing.
• Movie
Brilliant picture settings for a cinematic
experience.
• Game
Optimized for PCs, games consoles and play
stations.

This manual is as bad as the other one.

There is nothing else to suggest except to call Philips who outsource the building of the junk.

If that does not work get a cable box, or HD DVR.