Multi-channel digital audio HDMI with Onkyo pre-pro

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Level 1

8 points

Multi-channel digital audio HDMI with Onkyo pre-pro

Trying to get the HDMI to play nice with my home theatre pre-processor, an Onkyo Pro PR-SC886. so far:

1. I am setting the Sound Pref Output to the Onkyo, which it sees.

2. Setting the Midi Pref to HDMI/Onkyo which it sees.

3. I would like to get a digital stream to the Onkyo which it can convert to Dolby Pro Logic II which is my preferred choice for stereo music. So far, I can only get Stereo which the Onkyo will not convert.

4. In the Midi Pref, I have selected 192Hz/24-8channel output and the speakers are set to 5.1. Everything seems to work there.

5. I was hoping to use the "Encoded Digital Audio" choice, but get no sound when I use it.

Is this an Onkyo problem and are others able to use the Encoded Digital Audio setting with another brand of pre-pro/receiver? Or is this choice used for something else?

Thanks for any insight.

Peter

Mac Mini mid-2010, Mac OS X (10.6.4), 2 Gb ram

Posted on Jul 5, 2010 9:37 AM

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Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jul 5, 2010 9:19 PM in response to ptruce

What is the actual source material you are trying to play? It's a little unclear because you said you are playing "stereo music" and that so far you "can only get Stereo" to the Onkyo. It's unclear to me why stereo music would be anything but "Stereo".

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Answer 2

MacProCT

Level 2

366 points

Jul 6, 2010 1:13 AM in response to ptruce

It seems that Onkyo's HDMI components don't like the HDMI output from computers. There have been several threads in this forum and others where Onkyo owners report issues.

But do try the instructions listed here to see if it makes a difference...
http://www.cod3r.com/2008/02/the-correct-way-to-enable-ac3-passthrough-with-quic ktime/

An alternative media player option is VLC. And you need to turn on the SPDIF option in the audio preferences of this app.

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Answer 3

ptruce Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 8, 2010 12:27 PM in response to MacProCT

Sorry to disappear from the topic for a few days - we have a monster re-model going on and I just was consumed.

The problem has vanished. I was trying to play stereo material from iTunes in multi-channel mode through my Onkyo Pro pre-pro and was limited to Stereo. I tried again today and the gremlin has gone. I can now convert stereo output from iTunes and DVD Player to Dolby Prologic II Music and all is good.

Not sure how I was stuck before, perhaps in the sequence of set up to accomplish this.

Thanks to all for the help.

Peter

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Answer 4

MacProCT

Level 2

366 points

Jul 9, 2010 4:00 AM in response to ptruce

If you're in ProLogic mode, then you're not getting true multi-channel sound.

ProLogic is deriving surround sound from 2 channels, not giving you actual 5 channel surround.

For music that doesn't much matter. For movies, you're getting a lesser sound experience.

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Answer 5

ptruce Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 9, 2010 6:50 AM in response to MacProCT

Yes, I understand that it is derived sound, but it is good for party situations. When listening more seriously, I use the native stereo, but generally with lp's and not the computer. And it appears that the movies are coming our in native multi-channel.

Thanks for the help.

Peter

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