PS3 HDMI Troubles!

[Soundman]

I just purchased a TV and set everything up. Here's the problem. I'm getting no audio through my speakers with the PS3. I'm running HDMI from the PS3 to the Emotiva processor to "DVD IN", then "HDMI OUT" to the TV. It's accepting video fine, so it must be set up correctly, but it's not getting the audio from the processor. I went through the PS3 setup menu to see if the audio settings were affecting it, and it appears to be set up just fine there. Now, if anyone familiar with Emotiva products could chime in,that may help. I'm using the the HDMI switcher that came with the LMC-1/LPA-1 combo. I would call Emotiva, but it's after hours, and I'd love to get some audio going tonight. Please help! Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Epetrone]

PS3 audio

Your PS3 may be set to HDMI out for video, but there is another section that tells the PS3 to output audio via HDMI as well. Right now I bet yours is set for Optical. Just look around for the audio settings in the XMB. Hopefully this is the simple fix you are looking for. If it is set up for audio out via HDMi, then maybe your reciever cannot handle the bit stream/LPCM setting?? not too sure on that last one though since all newer recievers handle either one.

 

[Seth=L]

The HDMI switcher that Emotiva has for the LMC-1 is only a switcher (the LMC-1 cannot extract audio from HDMI inputs in any way). You will need to make a separate connection for your audio by using two channel analog output or the Optical output.

Optical output will get you up to 5.1 surround sound down-mixed from HD audio tracks on Blu-ray discs. You can still get up to 6.1 on DVDs that feature DTS-ES. You can enable Dolby EX or DTS-ES matrix for Blu-ray movies (respective to the surround codec being used [so DTS-HD 7.1 would translate to DTS 5.1 and you could enable DTS-ES matrix 6.1])

Analog connection would offer you high resolution audio, but only in two channel.

 

[Soundman]

The HDMI switcher that Emotiva has for the LMC-1 is only a switcher (the LMC-1 cannot extract audio from HDMI inputs in any way). You will need to make a separate connection for your audio by using two channel analog output or the Optical output.

Optical output will get you up to 5.1 surround sound down-mixed from HD audio tracks on Blu-ray discs. You can still get up to 6.1 on DVDs that feature DTS-ES. You can enable Dolby EX or DTS-ES matrix for Blu-ray movies (respective to the surround codec being used [so DTS-HD 7.1 would translate to DTS 5.1 and you could enable DTS-ES matrix 6.1])

Analog connection would offer you high resolution audio, but only in two channel.

Thanks for the info, Seth. I actually called Emotiva and talked to Nick. He told me the same thing you just did. The switcher passes video, but won't pass audio. (Oh well, at some point I'll have to upgrade). I can't really go analog though. The PS3 doesn't have pre-outs for analog unless you have some other ideas. Also, if the PS3, downmixes the BR audio, am I still getting any improvement over regular DVD? If not, the HIGH RES. audio formats are currently worthless to me. Also, I'm not getting much of a benefit from SACD's either since my 80g PS3 will play them. Any ideas?

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks for the info, Seth. I actually called Emotiva and talked to Nick. He told me the same thing you just did. The switcher passes video, but won't pass audio. (Oh well, at some point I'll have to upgrade). I can't really go analog though. The PS3 doesn't have pre-outs for analog unless you have some other ideas. Also, if the PS3, downmixes the BR audio, am I still getting any improvement over regular DVD? If not, the HIGH RES. audio formats are currently worthless to me. Also, I'm not getting much of a benefit from SACD's either since my 80g PS3 will play them. Any ideas?

You can do two channel if you use the set of cables that come with the PS3 for audio. You can set the PS3 to output analog audio while similtaneously outputting HDMI for video (I used to have my system set up this way with the 40GB PS3). I am using optical now.

By using optical you're loosing the full bandwidth offered by Blu-ray's audio, but you should be getting the best Dolby Digital and DTS performance that can be attained. Must DVDs don't utilize DTS or Dolby Digital to their full capability (the same could be said of many Blu-ray audio tracks as well). Suffice it to say, it can be better, but what you would be getting isn't bad. It's at least every bit as good as top DVD audio quality.

 

[allargon]

You can do two channel if you use the set of cables that come with the PS3 for audio. You can set the PS3 to output analog audio while similtaneously outputting HDMI for video (I used to have my system set up this way with the 40GB PS3). I am using optical now.

By using optical you're loosing the full bandwidth offered by Blu-ray's audio, but you should be getting the best Dolby Digital and DTS performance that can be attained. Must DVDs don't utilize DTS or Dolby Digital to their full capability (the same could be said of many Blu-ray audio tracks as well). Suffice it to say, it can be better, but what you would be getting isn't bad. It's at least every bit as good as top DVD audio quality.

Seth, don't forget that optical can do two channel PCM as well. How are the DACs in the PS3? Unless I have a stereo receiver sans digital inputs, I would go optical. I would trust my receiver's DACs over my player's DACs most of the time.

Re: that Emotiva unit, I initially considered it for myself as well as recommended it to some people last year. I had to retract that after getting confirmation from Emotiva that it was pass through only. Hopefully, this will be the year that Cambridge Audio, Emotiva and others recognize that HDMI pass-through belongs on sub-$300 Onkyos and Yamahas not higher end stuff.

 

[Soundman]

Seth, don't forget that optical can do two channel PCM as well. How are the DACs in the PS3? Unless I have a stereo receiver sans digital inputs, I would go optical. I would trust my receiver's DACs over my player's DACs most of the time.

Re: that Emotiva unit, I initially considered it for myself as well as recommended it to some people last year. I had to retract that after getting confirmation from Emotiva that it was pass through only. Hopefully, this will be the year that Cambridge Audio, Emotiva and others recognize that HDMI pass-through belongs on sub-$300 Onkyos and Yamahas not higher end stuff.

ok, sounds like a plan. I have optical set up currently, and prob. just stick with that for now. When I purchased the Emotiva lmc-1/lpa-1 combo, there were very few HDMI equipped receivers on the market, and those were on the very high end and not in my price range at the time. Things have certainly changed since then though. So, the Emotiva seemed like the best deal at the time.I don't regret the purchase, just wish it could pass through audio via HDMI. I can't complain about anything else. The audio performance is excellent, it just lacks a few features that the most current processors/receivers have. But I guess that's technology. Things move forward and eventually you get the upgrade bug.

 

[gus6464]

ok, sounds like a plan. I have optical set up currently, and prob. just stick with that for now. When I purchased the Emotiva lmc-1/lpa-1 combo, there were very few HDMI equipped receivers on the market, and those were on the very high end and not in my price range at the time. Things have certainly changed since then though. So, the Emotiva seemed like the best deal at the time.I don't regret the purchase, just wish it could pass through audio via HDMI. I can't complain about anything else. The audio performance is excellent, it just lacks a few features that the most current processors/receivers have. But I guess that's technology. Things move forward and eventually you get the upgrade bug.

Maybe you can get your hands on Yamaha 663 or 661 for cheap. I think there are also Onkyo 705's online on closeout for less than $400. The PS3 is a great machine but to get the most out of it you will need an HDMI receiver that can do MPCM. BTW 2ch SACD will work with the PS3 if you use the analog outs.

 

[allargon]

Maybe you can get your hands on Yamaha 663 or 661 for cheap. I think there are also Onkyo 705's online on closeout for less than $400. The PS3 is a great machine but to get the most out of it you will need an HDMI receiver that can do MPCM. BTW 2ch SACD will work with the PS3 if you use the analog outs.

You want him to go from an Emotiva to a midrange Yamaha or Onkyo? Emotiva is coming out with a LMC-2/UMC-1 soon. I'm sure they will offer a competitive upgrade for LMC-1 users.

 

[gus6464]

You want him to go from an Emotiva to a midrange Yamaha or Onkyo? Emotiva is coming out with a LMC-2/UMC-1 soon. I'm sure they will offer a competitive upgrade for LMC-1 users.

What does the Emo do better than the Yammy or Onkyo? I won't argue that Emo amps are very good but their processors are not the end all. Just check out the Emo forums and you will see a lot of people that have had problems with the LMC-1. Please point out something that the LMC-1 will do better than a 661/663 or 705 if they used as a pre/pro.

 

[Seth=L]

The PS3's DACs are pretty good, but only good for 2 channel. You won't get the full resolution of HD audio by using optical (but IMO this is still the better route in your case as it's the only way to get true surround sound). For two channel listening it may be better to use analog output. You can leave both connected and just make small adjustments on the PS3 to change it back and forth on a whim, but only if you have to have the best possible all the time. More than likely you won't notice much difference, if any, between the PS3's DACs and the ones on your receiver.

 

[Starmax]

confused

I have a circa 2006 Denon AV 5805 Receiver with 1.0 hdmi out/inputs out the wazoo. Will they be able to pass along the 1.3 hdmi information sent from the PS3 to my TV (which also has pre-1.3 inputs).

 

[allargon]

I have a circa 2006 Denon AV 5805 Receiver with 1.0 hdmi out/inputs out the wazoo. Will they be able to pass along the 1.3 hdmi information sent from the PS3 to my TV (which also has pre-1.3 inputs).

According to your spec sheet--no...

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/226.asp

However, some upgrades (usually would require hardware upgrade though) may have changed that. Any particular reason you need 1.3 when your display doesn't support deep color?