Apple TV/PVR/Home theatre conect to TV HDMI Issues

[Griz]

Hopefully they'll be an easy answer but I hav't found it yet.

What I had: Sony DAV-HDX475 DVD home dvd/theatre system with surround sound.
Shaw dual tuner PVR.
LG 50" 720P TV
2 HDMI cables going from Sony HDX475 and PVR.
Optical sound from PVR to HDX475.
So all sound is played through HDX475. Playing sound through TV is not an option.

Now I have purchased an Apple TV 2. Also bought a HDMI switch so I could connect HDX475 and ATV2 to switch then to TV. But then there is no sound through HDX475 for the ATV2.

Maybe you can see where i'm going with this.

So now I think, get rid of the switch and get a low cost Onkyo (or equivalent) receiver. That will solve my sound, switch and HDMI issues.

But now my (non powered) Sub which plugs directly into the back of the Sony HDX475 (with its proprietery plug) won't be able to hook to the Onkyo RCA preout.

Help, I need to keep the cost low but have good sound through 1 device.

[cooper83]

Why do you have two HDMI cables going from the surround sound and PVR?

[Griz]

1 from the pvr. 1 from the Surround. The surround and pvr only have 1 hdmi out each.

[cooper83]

Use the digital coaxial connection from your PVR to surround system, then you'll have an optical input available to connect the AppleTV.

[Griz]

That didn't work. The Digital coaxial and optical inputs are for the same tv/video.

[cooper83]

Hmm. Sounds like a very limited system. Can't even find online a manual or photos of the back of the unit.
You could try an optical switch, or get a new system. Adding a receiver on its own probably won't be a good fit given the speakers + passive subwoofer.

[Griz]

heres the link to the manual
http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/mod...OC=3#/howtoTab

[Griz]

it won't let me post a link but if you search for "DAV-HDX475" esupport it will take you right to it.

[Griz]

I already boaught an HDMI switch, now I need an optical one as well? I don't want anything that I have to switch manually. Been doing some search for a combined switch with remote....but no luck.

Any other suggestions?

[cooper83]

Originally Posted by Griz

it won't let me post a link but if you search for "DAV-HDX475" esupport it will take you right to it.

My mistake. The manual posted is for a different model #, but it's one of those several-models-in-one user manuals

Any other suggestions?

Sell your system & HDMI switch, and get a system with several HDMI inputs...?
One of the biggest drawbacks to these inexpensive HTiB's is their limited connectivity. Start adding more than one or two components and it's already maxed out. And usually the speakers are such that they don't connect to a proper AV receiver, as you've already discovered with the passive subwoofer.

[Griz]

So I took back the HDMI switch and got a discounted Pioneer VSX-521-K 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver

Now I have my Sony DAV-HDX475 DVD home dvd/theatre system acting as my DVD player with it hooked to the pioneer with HDMI. But I don't get any sound when playing the DVD.

Is this because the Sony DAV-HDX475 DVD home dvd/theatre system only sends sound out through its speaker jacks and not out through the HDMI?

Do I now have to buy a new DVD player as well?

Thanks!

[cooper83]

Do I now have to buy a new DVD player as well?

You may need to, yes.

These systems aren't meant to be combined with another receiver. Essentially what you have right now is one receiver (Sony) connected to another receiver (Pioneer) and expecting them to communicate properly. Doesn't work that way, unless I'm mistaken.

I also appears that the speakers have proprietary connectors, preventing them from being hooked up to the Pioneer. Also, they are 3ohm speakers, which may be a problem.

[Griz]

Dang it,

speakers are working fine with the new receiver so i'm happy there.

[cooper83]

Originally Posted by Griz

Dang it,

speakers are working fine with the new receiver so i'm happy there.

You have them plugged into the Pioneer?

[57]

Originally Posted by Griz

speakers are working fine with the new receiver so i'm happy there.

You need to be very careful. 3 ohm speakers should NOT be connected to a regular AVR, which is expecting an 8 ohm load. Also, what have you done for the subwoofer - the one on the HTiB is passive and you should have an active (powered) one for the AVR. You can't simply cobble stuff together expecting it to work properly - sometimes it may work after a fashion and sometimes you can do actual damage.

Here's a thread on the topic of speaker impedance:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=62722


Useful Post for those new to the forum - FAQs, search tips, optimization, etc:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741