HDMI TV connections

[Mezlo]

Entertainment items:

HDTV 1080p w/ 4 HDMI slots
Bose receiver and DVD upconverter to 1080p w/ 1 HDMI slot 1 optical slot
Directv HD DVR w/ 1 HDMI slot 1 optical slot
PS3 (Bluray) w/ 1 HDMI slot 1 optical slot

Currently i have everything HDMI connected with the TV for the best possible picture. Since I wanted to take full advantage of the bluray player I connected the ps3 optical connection to the Bose receiver for best possible sound quality. I then connected the digital audio out connection of the Directv HD DVR to the Bose.

With this setup I have the best possible picture from all 3 devices. I have the best sound connection from the Bose and the PS3. But I think I'm lacking the best sound connection from the Directv HD DVR. Is there a better connection or am i good?

My friend seems to think that the HDMI connection can send info both ways. Meaning, it's not just one way, audio/video in or audio / video out. He said there should be a way to setup the system so all pieces of equipment send the audio and video through the HMDI connection to the TV, the TV sends the audio info through the HDMI connection to the Bose receiver, thus the video and audio are all being sent through the highest quality device, the HDMI connection. I told him I didnt think that could happen. Soooo.... thoughts?

[Mhurron]

Re: HDMI TV connections

Doubtful, but because TV's don't have HDMI out. HDMI does send and receive, your TV receives an AV signal and your TV can send back HDCP information. That is it however, not because HDMI can't be bi-directional, but because that is all the TV is made to do.

I will say this however:

I think I'm lacking the best sound connection from the Directv HD DVR

You wouldn't notice a difference.

Personally, I use my TV's audio out. I connect everything to the TV (will use the TV's speakers for everything) and have a receiver connected to the the TV's audio out. If I want to use the surround sound (for everything) I just turn on the receiver. Audio goes through the TV speakers and the receiver then. Much simpler setup then having some devices go through the TV and others over here to that and what not.

Unless you are using really shitty parts, you have to be a drooling, raving audiophile to think you can hear a difference. And like all things audiophiles think, you'd be wrong.

[Callisto]

Re: HDMI TV connections

Personally, I use my TV's audio out. I connect everything to the TV (will use the TV's speakers for everything) and have a receiver connected to the the TV's audio out. If I want to use the surround sound (for everything) I just turn on the receiver. Audio goes through the TV speakers and the receiver then. Much simpler setup then having some devices go through the TV and others over here to that and what not.

This is how I would do it as well, not only for the simplicity, but if you live in an apartment/townhouse you likely don't want to always be using your receiver/surround for neighbor-appeasing purposes.

[Mezlo]

Re: HDMI TV connections

if you live in an apartment/townhouse you likely don't want to always be using your receiver/surround for neighbor-appeasing purposes.

I bought my own house for this reason.

[Pwnagraphic]

Re: HDMI TV connections

but if you live in an apartment/townhouse you likely don't want to always be using your receiver/surround for neighbor-appeasing purposes.

Spfft.. Screw them. They need to knwo the true sound and power of HDMI.

[Lmnop]

Re: HDMI TV connections

Entertainment items:

HDTV 1080p w/ 4 HDMI slots
Bose receiver and DVD upconverter to 1080p w/ 1 HDMI slot 1 optical slot
Directv HD DVR w/ 1 HDMI slot 1 optical slot
PS3 (Bluray) w/ 1 HDMI slot 1 optical slot

Currently i have everything HDMI connected with the TV for the best possible picture. Since I wanted to take full advantage of the bluray player I connected the ps3 optical connection to the Bose receiver for best possible sound quality. I then connected the digital audio out connection of the Directv HD DVR to the Bose.

With this setup I have the best possible picture from all 3 devices. I have the best sound connection from the Bose and the PS3. But I think I'm lacking the best sound connection from the Directv HD DVR. Is there a better connection or am i good?

My friend seems to think that the HDMI connection can send info both ways. Meaning, it's not just one way, audio/video in or audio / video out. He said there should be a way to setup the system so all pieces of equipment send the audio and video through the HMDI connection to the TV, the TV sends the audio info through the HDMI connection to the Bose receiver, thus the video and audio are all being sent through the highest quality device, the HDMI connection. I told him I didnt think that could happen. Soooo.... thoughts?

As long as it's a digital audio format (coax or optical), you're good. A lot of TVs seem to skimp on audio out, often with no connectors or only with analog out (red&white). So I'd rather rely on how you have it going. Though... you have a 1080p TV. I'd doubt they skimped.

Incidentally, when I used to test DVD players, HDMI connections were just rolling out the door. They very often didn't have the option to split audio off of HDMI. It'd be the highest priority connection with no way to choose to use another option (which is to say, if there was an HDMI cable running to another device, all other audio-out connections would be turned off). But it's awesomely easy with PS3.