Question:
Dear Big Picture Big Sound,
I now have (much to my surprise, B-Day gift) a Sharp Aquos 32-inch LCD TV, Sony Blu-Ray Disc player and Sony surround sound system. I have the HDMI cable from the out on the disc player plugged into the video 2/BD in per instructions. I have the HDMI out from the surround amp the input 4 on the TV.
How do I get the cable, from cable provider coming in from the wall, to play through the surround sound also? Only connection is on the TV.
Is HDMI multi-directional?
Components include:
-Anthony Y.
Answer:
Hi, Anthony,
Now that's a nice birthday present! HDMI is not "multi-directional" in the way you're asking. It does communicate from display device back to source, but only to complete the initial HDMI/HDCP "handshake" - to let the source know that the display is HDCP-compliant. Audio and video are only carried in one direction over HDMI, from source to display.
If you are not using a cable box - you're plugging your cable directly into the Aquos and using the Aquos' built-in tuner - then your best bet is to plug the Aquos' fiberoptic digital output from the TV into your receiver. Broadcast and cable HDTV signals usually include Dolby Digital sound, sometimes 5.1, and sometimes stereo (2.0). These can be carried via standard fiberoptic "S/PDIF" connection. They do not require HDMI.
So to get surround sound from the Sony Blu-ray Disc player, you'll select "Video 2" on the receiver and input 4 on the TV. To get surround sound from cable TV, you'll select some other input on the receiver (maybe video 1) and the TV input on the Aquos.
One thing to watch out for though is that the fiberoptic digital output on your TV may only be active on the digital cable channels. Analog cable channels include analog sound and these most likely will only be carried over an analog (stereo left/right) output on your TV. So one additional connection may be required - a stereo left right audio cable from the Aquos line output to your receiver. Your other option would be to just use the TV's built-in speakers for analog cable, and use the surround sound receiver and speakers for digital cable, HDTV cable, Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
-Chris
