Answered

Beam + One SL + An old TV

  • 19 December 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 436 views
F
Userlevel 1
Badge

I’ve read some similar topics on this forum but found nothing quite the same as my setup, which is as follows:

  • Panasonic TV with 4 x HDMI 1.4 ports and a digital optical output.
    - HDMI inputs handle PCM only
    - HDMI2 is ARC and can output digital surround if, according to the manual, the receiver has “HDAVI Control 5” function.
    - TV has a Freeview HD tuner
  • Panasonic blu-ray player with HDMI and optical out. This is connected to HDMI1 on the TV.
  • Google Chromecast, connected to HDMI3 on the TV.
  • Beam (with 2 x One SLs grouped for surround) connected to HDMI2 ARC on the TV.

The issue is that all signals into HDMI on the TV are PCM only, so it’s outputting PCM to the Beam. What I need is a way to send the video from the blu-ray and Chromecast to the TV, but the audio to the Beam, to get the full benefits of Dolby Digital. But, I still need the TV audio to go to the Beam when watching TV channels.

I’ve looked at all sorts of audio extractors/splitters with HDMI and optical inputs and outputs, but I’ve not found one that will do what I need. The ideal solution would be a box with two HDMI inputs (from blu-ray and Chromecast), an optical input (for TV sound), an HDMI video output (to the TV) and an HDMI audio output (to the beam). Does such a box exist?

I’m thinking it might be cheaper (and simpler) just to get a new TV which can handle Dolby Digital pass-through on the HDMI ports.

icon

Best answer by AjTrek1 19 December 2019, 14:27

View original
This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

4 replies

AjTrek1
Userlevel 7

Hi FatOldSun

 

Here are two options although I prefer the second to send audio to the Beam using the optical HDMI adapter. 

Edit: I didn’t notice at first look...but option #1 also has Optical-out on the side.

  1. https://www.amazon.com/FERRISA-Switcher-Splitter-Optical-Extractor/dp/B07MYRX22F/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=hdmi+extractor+audio+with+multiple+inputs&qid=1576761820&sr=8-4
  2. https://www.amazon.com/iArkPower-Optical-Extractor-Splitter-Supports/dp/B01K7BZ1XC/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=hdmi+extractor+audio+with+multiple+inputs&qid=1576761895&sr=8-7

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
F
Userlevel 1
Badge

Thanks AJ, unfortunately these only seem to be available in the US and not the UK, as I can see how they might work.

AjTrek1
Userlevel 7

Thanks AJ, unfortunately these only seem to be available in the US and not the UK, as I can see how they might work.

 

Here are two options for U.K.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LiNKFOR-Extractor-Support-Optical-Compatible-Dark-Black/dp/B07N7LLJZ9/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2UX8JDE9FS4SQ&keywords=hdmi+extractor+4k&qid=1576765936&sprefix=hdmi+extractor%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-18

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HDMI-FiveHome-Switcher-Splitter-Extractor-Black/dp/B077TJG5Q2/ref=sr_1_50?crid=2QCZMTWT0T95O&keywords=hdmi+extractor+4k&qid=1576766215&sprefix=%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-50

 

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
F
Userlevel 1
Badge

It seems that the TV’s HDMI-ARC does not output surround sound, only stereo, since HD TV shows that I know are broadcast in Dolby Digital are only being played in stereo on the Beam. The optical output of the TV does support Dolby Digital though, so I’ve ordered an optical switch which has multiple optical inputs and one optical output, which the optical to HDMI adapter will plug in to. This will allow both live TV and the blu-ray player to output Dolby Digital, if the audio is encoded in that format. For now, the Chromecast will just have to stick with stereo through the TV’s HDMI input, but that’s no big deal.

Terms & ConditionsCookie settings