Audio Set Up: New MTS PVR - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Stepper07 · 2012-03-06, 11:53 PM

I am trying to set up a proper surround sound system with the new MTS 500 GB PVR, audio receiver, and HD TV. I have just upgraded the speakers, but for some reason when I turn on all components, as i always have, the sound does not turn on, and the video is freezing for the first few secs.

We previously had everything set up with an HDMI cable going from the MTS box to the receiver for sound and video, and another HDMI cable from the audio receiver to the tv. After speaking to MTS they suggested HDMI cable from the MTS box to the tv, and an optical cable from the MTS box to the audio receiver.

When I swich the settings on my MTS PVR from surround to stereo, the sound comes back...

Does anyone have any ideas?

timmaywpg · 2012-03-07, 02:28 PM

You might be encountering an HDMI handshaking issue.

I would try powering on your devices in a different order to see if that alleviates your problem.

Are you using separate remotes or an all in one remote (like a Harmony)?

PhotoJim · 2012-03-07, 02:41 PM

Stepper, I like your setup better - all devices to the A/V receiver, then an HDMI cable to the TV. That's the desirable setup almost all the time.

It was worth trying the direct-to-the-TV option to see if that helped, but I thought I'd let you know your original setup, hardware cooperating anyway, is the way to go in general.

CoryB · 2012-03-07, 03:51 PM

Three questions:

1 - Have you previously had this setup working using a different STB?

2 - Do you have a source other than the PVR that you can test with, such as a Blu Ray player?

3 - What is the model of the receiver?

Stepper07 · 2012-03-12, 11:28 AM

Hi all,

thank you all for responding.
I will try to answer all the replies as best as possible.

My receiver is a Pioneer. model vsx-819H

160 PVR old setup: (PVR to Receiver=HDMI, Receiver to TV=HDMI).
Worked fine with all HDMI cables.
It does not work smoothly with the 500 PVR. The sounds is hit and miss and the video freezes the few second upon turning on.

500 PVR new setup: (PVR to Receiver=Optical(sound), PVR to TV=HDMI).
Works fine, but is optical the correct method? Shouldn't HDMI carry the audio and video? Am I losing quality using optical vs HDMI?

Maybe there is a setting in the receiver that needs to be adjusted to the PVR?

I am using the MTS remote to turn on and off the devices.
STB then TV then AUX. I was thinking the reason for the freezing might be that AUX (receiver) is coming on too fast while the STB is still starting up?

I do have a PS3 that needs to be hooked up correctly too.
PS3 setup: (PS3 to Reciever=HDMI, Receiver to TV=HDMI)

much appreciated for all your help!

57 · 2012-03-12, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Am I losing quality using optical vs HDMI?

No, the quality is the same. As mentioned previously, likely a handshake issue. See the following FAQ on HDMI Issues, especially items 4, 28, along with lots of other suggestions and things to check at the bottom.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=71112

Here's a useful post: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

2012-03-06, 11:53 PM	#1
Stepper07 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 2	Audio Set Up: New MTS PVR I am trying to set up a proper surround sound system with the new MTS 500 GB PVR, audio receiver, and HD TV. I have just upgraded the speakers, but for some reason when I turn on all components, as i always have, the sound does not turn on, and the video is freezing for the first few secs. We previously had everything set up with an HDMI cable going from the MTS box to the receiver for sound and video, and another HDMI cable from the audio receiver to the tv. After speaking to MTS they suggested HDMI cable from the MTS box to the tv, and an optical cable from the MTS box to the audio receiver. When I swich the settings on my MTS PVR from surround to stereo, the sound comes back... Does anyone have any ideas?

2012-03-07, 02:28 PM	#2
timmaywpg Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 217	You might be encountering an HDMI handshaking issue. I would try powering on your devices in a different order to see if that alleviates your problem. Are you using separate remotes or an all in one remote (like a Harmony)? __________________ LG 47LK520 - Denon 1910 - Bell 6400 - Harmony 720 - Optoma HD200x -Pro-Ject Xpression III

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2012-03-07, 02:41 PM	#3
PhotoJim Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Regina, SK, CA Posts: 618	Stepper, I like your setup better - all devices to the A/V receiver, then an HDMI cable to the TV. That's the desirable setup almost all the time. It was worth trying the direct-to-the-TV option to see if that helped, but I thought I'd let you know your original setup, hardware cooperating anyway, is the way to go in general.

2012-03-07, 03:51 PM	#4
CoryB Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 213	Three questions: 1 - Have you previously had this setup working using a different STB? 2 - Do you have a source other than the PVR that you can test with, such as a Blu Ray player? 3 - What is the model of the receiver?

2012-03-12, 11:28 AM	#5
Stepper07 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 2	Hi all, thank you all for responding. I will try to answer all the replies as best as possible. My receiver is a Pioneer. model vsx-819H 160 PVR old setup: (PVR to Receiver=HDMI, Receiver to TV=HDMI). Worked fine with all HDMI cables. It does not work smoothly with the 500 PVR. The sounds is hit and miss and the video freezes the few second upon turning on. 500 PVR new setup: (PVR to Receiver=Optical(sound), PVR to TV=HDMI). Works fine, but is optical the correct method? Shouldn't HDMI carry the audio and video? Am I losing quality using optical vs HDMI? Maybe there is a setting in the receiver that needs to be adjusted to the PVR? I am using the MTS remote to turn on and off the devices. STB then TV then AUX. I was thinking the reason for the freezing might be that AUX (receiver) is coming on too fast while the STB is still starting up? I do have a PS3 that needs to be hooked up correctly too. PS3 setup: (PS3 to Reciever=HDMI, Receiver to TV=HDMI) much appreciated for all your help!