HDMI input/output (receiver question)...?

Question

If I get an AV receiver that has HDMI input/output and connect a satellite receiver or dvd player via HDMI, does the receiver process the audio that way also or will I need a separate connection (optical for example)?

Answer 1

That depends on what version of HDMI it is. For the majority of systems it will need the additional connection. Look for HDMI 1.3b or better.

Answer 2

The HDMI cable carries both the video and audio signals. You typically run 1 cable to each input on the receiver and 1 cable from the receiver to the TV. The receiver produces sound, but it also sends the audio and video to the TV.

However - there is sometimes an annoying issue. When you hook things up this way then use the receiver to switch from Sat to DVD, the sound switches quickly, but it may take several seconds for the video to switch.

Because of this, some people wire their systems like this:

- HDMI straight to the TV
- optical or coaxial sound to the receiver

This is a bit more complex to switch because you have to change the TV input and the receiver input, but a programmable remote solves this.

Since the HDMI is always connected to the TV - there is no delay when switching.

This also has the advantage that you can just use the TV speakers for casual TV/DVD watching, but fire up the receiver only for serious movies/shows.

This is why many people hook up both.

Answer 3

HDMI is intended to carry digital video AND audio (as well as some other things). However it is an open protocol, not a closed standard. What this means is that at either end of the cable, your DVD player and your Receiver may implement the pieces parts how they want. (If the Receiver HDMI input is configured to process audio, but the DVD Player's HDMI output isn't configured to deliver it, then you're out of luck.

It might work fine, try it out! :)

Answer 4

from what i THINK i know. is that the HDMI input and outputs on receivers are for audio. for instance.. you have a blue ray dvd player.. and a 50'' hdtv ( yippie ) you hook the dvd player to the receivers HDMI input and then the tv to the HDMI output. i hope you understand what i am tryin to say. because i think on most computers.. the sound card is that little 1/8th input jack. and mostly, HD computer monitors with the exception of a hd tv ( which i doubt you are using because you probably wouldnt be asking this ) the video source is usually called a DVI input. i hope i helped.

Answer 5

The HDMI is only for the video, you will need some sort of audio hook up like optical, coaxial or just plain old white and red audio rcas.