Connecting HDMI to non-HDMI Receiver: ??

[AlG]

I have a problem getting my old Sony Receiver (STR-DE915) to work in Dolby Digital with my new setup, which is:
42" Panasonic Plasma (TH-42PX60U) connected to Motorola Cable Box (3416 I) with an HDMI cable--AND--- Philips DVD player (DVP5960 w/ HD Upconvert) also connected to the TV with an HDMI cable. The TV is connected to the Sony Receiver with a Digital Optical cord.
All is working well and I get a good sound from the reciever's speakers BUT the receiver's DOLBY DIGITAL light (led) does not go on indicating NO Dolby Digital signal.
I already tired connecting the DVD Player directly to the Sony Receiver with a Digital Coaxial Cable, but still did not light up the DD signal. I also disconnected the Optical cord from the receiver and only used the Coaxial cable, but this time lost the audio completely.
Lost and Confused--------SUGGESTIONS?????????

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have a problem getting my old Sony Receiver (STR-DE915) to work in Dolby Digital with my new setup, which is:
42" Panasonic Plasma (TH-42PX60U) connected to Motorola Cable Box (3416 I) with an HDMI cable--AND--- Philips DVD player (DVP5960 w/ HD Upconvert) also connected to the TV with an HDMI cable. The TV is connected to the Sony Receiver with a Digital Optical cord.
All is working well and I get a good sound from the reciever's speakers BUT the receiver's DOLBY DIGITAL light (led) does not go on indicating NO Dolby Digital signal.
I already tired connecting the DVD Player directly to the Sony Receiver with a Digital Coaxial Cable, but still did not light up the DD signal. I also disconnected the Optical cord from the receiver and only used the Coaxial cable, but this time lost the audio completely.
Lost and Confused--------SUGGESTIONS?????????

Why is the TV connected to the receiver with that digital audio optical cable? If you want the audio from the cable box, send a digital audio to the receiver as well.

You need to go into the receiver menu and select the digital coax input and check the DVD performance. If you end up with the optical cable from the cable TV box to receiver, most likely you will have to select that option on the receiver when you want that input, unless it has an auto digital detect?

 

[AlG]

The Cable Box is not the issue

The TV is connected with a Digital Optical cord as recommended by audio sites who state that preferences are in order: HDMI, DVI, Digital Optical/Coaxial, Component, S-Video, Composite (old tech).
My TV and receiver have Optical connectors. The receiver has an 'auto input' to detect the connection, but I still am not getting Dolby Digital.

 

[Hi Ho]

You should connect the cable box and DVD player directly to the receiver with the optical or coax cable. There is absolutely no audible difference between HDMI, optical, and coax. It's all exactly the same audio signal.

Since you already tried connecting the DVD directly and did not get DD then it is probably a setting on the DVD player and/or the receiver. Make sure that the receiver is in surround mode, not stereo. I looked up the manual for your DVD player. Go into the setup menu and find "Audio Setup". Make sure the digital output option is set to "All". If it is on "PCM Only" you will not get a DD signal. There may be a similar setting on your cable box.

 

[shokhead]

I have a problem getting my old Sony Receiver (STR-DE915) to work in Dolby Digital with my new setup, which is:
42" Panasonic Plasma (TH-42PX60U) connected to Motorola Cable Box (3416 I) with an HDMI cable--AND--- Philips DVD player (DVP5960 w/ HD Upconvert) also connected to the TV with an HDMI cable. The TV is connected to the Sony Receiver with a Digital Optical cord.
All is working well and I get a good sound from the reciever's speakers BUT the receiver's DOLBY DIGITAL light (led) does not go on indicating NO Dolby Digital signal.
I already tired connecting the DVD Player directly to the Sony Receiver with a Digital Coaxial Cable, but still did not light up the DD signal. I also disconnected the Optical cord from the receiver and only used the Coaxial cable, but this time lost the audio completely.
Lost and Confused--------SUGGESTIONS?????????

I would go dvd w/hdmi to tv.
I wouldnt bother w/hdmi from cable unless your HD.
Other video straight to tv from box.
Dig audio from box to receiver to tv and L&R audio from box to tv.
Dig audio from dvd to receiver.
I stayed at a holiday inn.

 

[AlG]

Gotta go HDMI...

The TV and DVD are connected with HMDI to take advantage of the dual-high-end audio and video combo. It's the reason I upgraded. Need to know if my old Sony STR-DE915 can produce Dolby Digital with my new HDMI hook-up, or I'm I going to have to invest in a new HDMI Receiver. I've tried going DVD to receiver with coaxial and composite with no luck.
Am I beating a dead horse---or just stumped the best of audioholics.
Will a new HDMI Receiver do the trick.

 

[shokhead]

The HDMI has to go through your receiver to use your speakers but if your nly worried about DD or DTS,just use your dig connection or buy a new receiver and get the same sound. HiRes is a different story.

 

[Nick250]

The TV and DVD are connected with HMDI to take advantage of the dual-high-end audio and video combo. It's the reason I upgraded. Need to know if my old Sony STR-DE915 can produce Dolby Digital with my new HDMI hook-up, or I'm I going to have to invest in a new HDMI Receiver. I've tried going DVD to receiver with coaxial and composite with no luck.
Am I beating a dead horse---or just stumped the best of audioholics.
Will a new HDMI Receiver do the trick.

Your receiver will work exactly as it did before. The fact that the new DVD player has an HDMI out has no bearing on whether or not the receiver will decode DD. As has been mentioned already it's most likely there is an incorrect setting in your DVD player or receiver that is the source of your problem.

Nick

 

[mtrycrafts]

The TV is connected with a Digital Optical cord as recommended by audio sites who state that preferences are in order: HDMI, DVI, Digital Optical/Coaxial, Component, S-Video, Composite (old tech).
My TV and receiver have Optical connectors. The receiver has an 'auto input' to detect the connection, but I still am not getting Dolby Digital.

So, the TV passes through the digital audio to the receiver then through the optical cable?


You need to set the receiver to accept that input.

 

[AlG]

And The Winner Is................

Thanks to all who responded to my dilemma....
The problem was with the DVD PLAYER (PHILIPS). It needed a firmware upgrade to correct a problem with it's multichannel capabilities. It also needed to be returned to its original owner (BEST BUY!!!!!). Swapped it for a new LG w/upconvert and then I plugged it directly to my Sony receiver with the its digital optical slot (which the Philips did not have) and I've got my Dolby Digital back for my DVD movies.
HOWEVER...........
I had to remove the Digtial Optical connection from the TV to my receiver, so I no longer am getting DD for my TV thru the receiver's speakers. I cannot use the Digtial Coaxial connect from the receiver to the TV because on my Sony they are both on the same bank, and the manual say's you can only use one.
SO...............
What's the best connection from my Panasonic Plasma to my old Sony receiver in order to get digital sound from the receivers?
I think all I have available is composite. YIKES!!!!!

 

[Hi Ho]

How many optical inputs are on the receiver. If you have more than one you can simply hook the TV up to a different optical input.

 

[Nick250]

For the second time here is what you do.

Optical from cable box to receiver. Now you have TV audio on your HT system.

No connections from your TV to your receiver. NONE. Your receiver already has the TV audio from the cable box.

No audio connections from the cable box to the TV, optical or otherwise.

Any questions?