Sky connection to AV Receiver

[mikenmia]

@SkyJayHD 

The trade off in running optical from box to amp is if you have any apps on the tv (if smart) or any consoles or dvd/BR players attached would not get any sound to amp

running from the tv allows you to use more kit 

[Chrisee]

@mikenmia unfortunatly many TVs either cant pass DD from an HDMI input to the ARC connection or introduce a delay when doing so which shows up as a lip sync issue which is why the Optical route is often the best solution. No right or wrong in this game just what works best for you. 

[Rhonny]

@SkyJayHD

Yes, you can take the optical from Q box to AVR - but then none of the TV's in-built apps like Amazon, ITV Hub, Netflix, iPlayer, etc would reach the AVR.

(edit: just seen this was answered by @mikenmia) 

[SkyJayHD]

Thanks to @Rhonny and @mikenmia . I will order a 3 metre optical cable tonight assuming the length doesn't impact on signal quality.

[Rhonny]

@SkyJayHD

It should be fine. The signal uses light, and light won't degrade over three metres. 

[SkyJayHD]

@Rhonny  Many thanks, I have just ordered.

[SkyJayHD]

Thanks for all your help @Rhonny and @mikenmia I have set up today and sound is coming through. One oddity though, the sound started off fantastic with deep bass and after turning off and on is now not so great.

[matt+castle]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this problem so please redirect me if needed.

I have Sky Q via HDMI to my Bravia with ARC for sound to my Marantz SR6009. Last month I lost sound through the amp. Sound is still there through TV speakers and I am now using optical from TV to amp without issue. However this means that I cant watch Amazon Prime through the TV and have sound from the amp unless I change the optical connections each time (real pain). Marantz tech support have confirmed that it is not my HDMI board that has gone as it works fine with BlueRay etc. They did advise that there is a know problem with HDMI not working following firmware upgrades on the SkyQ box. Anyone else experienced this?

[Anonymous]

@matt+castle  If you're not getting sound via ARC from the TV with the Prime app, it sounds like a TV or receiver issue, not anything to do with Sky Q.

Forgive me for stating the obvious but, have you thought to power everything down at the socket in order to establish handshakes all round? Or experimented with different HDMI cables?

[matt+castle]

Hi Drexl+Spivey

Tried everything, reconnecting all cables, different HDMI cables, powering down etc. I have been getting sound from Sky Q using HDMI through the AVR cab/sat setting for about a year. Then it just stopped working. Now I can only get Sky Q sound using the optical cable on the AVR tv/audio setting. I also get Sky Q sound if I use the tv speakers. Not too worried about Prime through the TV app, dont use it very often.

[Anonymous]

@matt+castle  I have two issues with Marantz, one that carries over to Denon receivers...

Firstly, Marantz sound superb but, are let down by their styling (in my opinion). I had an SR6014 last year for a couple of weeks and just couldn't get on with the tiny display. which is a shame because it was the best sounding receiver I demo'd.

Secondly, both Denon and Marantz (Sound United) insist on a weird layout of their HDMI inputs, knowing it is to the detriment of some components you connet to the unit.

Marantz have located the CBL/SAT input furthest from the output, knowing it will affect 'clocking'. Denon themselves explain it far more elequently than I, please refer to here - https://denon-uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5531/session/L3RpbWUvMTU0NjQ3NjExMi9zaWQvTWhlb...

So, with that in mind, can you please try using the HDMI input nearest to the HDMI output for Sky Q?

I can tell you the I've arranged the layout on the rear of my Onkyo to read like this; Sky Q, 4K UHD player, PS4 Pro and FireStick.

That's not how it's labled on the rear but, I consider Sky Q to be the weakest link in the video chain and needs all the help it can get. You can just change the input names via your receiver remote and onboard menus.

Obviously, if you're pulling out and rearranging HDMIs, this should be done when the unit is powered down at the wall. In fact, I would power everything down as this will again establish all the handshakes.

If you do try this, can you please let me know if it's succesful?

[matt+castle]

Drexl+Spivey

Problem solved. Unplugged everything and disconnected from mains power, re connected and it all works fine now. Thanks for your advice

[Paul+Ions]

Hi, can someone please help me, I have just had Sky Q fitted on Monday, and the fitters just connected an HDMI from the sky box to the TV , and my optical cable from the sky box to the AV unit , initially it worked fine with my AV  which is an photo H T -R494, and worked great with my old Sky hd box, but now I can't get any sound, can anyone help, Paul Ions.

[Paul+Ions]

Hi,my AV unit is an Onkyo HT-R494 not a photo, thanks, Paul Ions.

[russo109]

My understanding is as below re optical. My Yamamha picks up dolby digital plus signals using the HDMI ARC route.

The types of digital audio signals that can be transferred by a digital optical connection include two-channel stereo PCM, Dolby Digital/Dolby Digital EX, DTS Digital Surround, and DTS ES.

Digital audio signals, such as 5.1/7.1 multi-channel PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, and Auro 3D Audio cannot be transferred via Digital Optical connections. These types of audio signal formats require the use of HDMI connections.