Help with HDMI pass-through

daveza

daveza

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I need help again from those in the know please...

Logitech Speaker System Z906

A colleague is considering buying this system for one of his theatre systems.

Plasma 760 TV, Apple TV2.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speak.../devices/speaker-system-Z906#section=features

surround-sound-speakers-z906-glamour-images.png


The one negative comment from the reviews I read was this sound system does not support HDMI pass-through.

What does that mean in practical ( and simple ) terms

Is there a work around if needed

and if no HDMI pass-through is a real issue is there a similarly spec'd (and priced) audio system as an alternative ?
 
Does that system even have HDMI?

Pass-through means it can't process the sound from an HDMI source, i.e. the sound "passes through", but this usually means the receiver has, for example, 2 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output, so that you can connect 2 devices to the receiver and only have one HDMI cable running to your TV. In this case, if the receiver only has HDMI pass-through, you'll need to connect the other devices to your receiver with optical or coaxial cable.
 
daveza said:
So, if the Apple TV2 has HDMI this should be fed through the sound system which is not an option here ?
Click to expand...

It means you'll have to run 2 cables from the Apple TV: an HDMI cable to your plasma and an optical cable to your receiver.

If the receiver had HDMI video pass-through with HDMI audio decoding then you could run one HDMI cable from the ATV to the receiver, and another HDMI cable from the ATV to your plasma.
 
So, the video goes out the ATV via HDMI to the plasma - and the sound goes from the ATV to this sound system via optical...


This means you have one extra cable coming out the ATV - is this such a big negative ?
 
daveza said:
So, the video goes out the ATV via HDMI to the plasma - and the sound goes from the ATV to this sound system via optical...


This means you have one extra cable coming out the ATV - is this such a big negative ?
Click to expand...

If all you want to connect to the receiver is the ATV, then no, it's not a big negative. However, it could get frustrating if you want to add more stuff to your setup, like an XBOX/PS3, media player PC, HDPVR etc.
 
Thanks - I'll pass on the info.

I can't find any pc speaker systems that have HDMI input/output so he'll have to look at a proper HT speaker system.
 
What will he be paying for the Logitech system?
 
Connect the optical digital out from the TV to the speaker set. Plug your hdmi and other cables all into the TV Sorted.

There is no hdmi on any basic set of speakers with built in amp. For that you need a receiver that will handle video and audio inputs, strip out the audio and play it over the speakers while sending the video to the TV. Something like a high end home entertainment system starting at R6000 and up.
 
DanH said:
Connect the optical digital out from the TV to the speaker set. Plug your hdmi and other cables all into the TV Sorted.
Click to expand...
Just make sure the TV can actually pass true 5.1 from HDMI to optical.

Most dont (I havent found one yet), they just pass 2ch PCM down optical from an HDMI source. Its not that simple to realise as most amps etc. will up-mix the 2ch to pseudo 5.1 using Dolby Pro Logic. While all speakers are used, its not the true 5.1 from source.

In my experience only the internal media player & DTV tuner can send 5.1 out the TV's optical.
 
daveza said:
Can you get anything like that for a similar price that is a decent enough quality ?
Click to expand...

Well if you're going to get something with HDMI passthrough then you may as well get a home theatre system like the Sony STR500 for about the same price, which I would say probably has better quality audio as well.

If you can raise the budget to between R7,000 - R10,000 then Dion Wired have been having some great specials on Marantz + Jamo receiver/speaker combos. These feature HDMI repeating and ARC, allowing the audio from the HDMI signal to be processed and the sound from your TV to be passed back to the receiver.

My personal opinion on the subject is to invest upfront in something good, rather than risk the possibility of running out of options in future and having to upgrade anyway. So I would save up for a Marantz + Jamo combo. Rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
 
The Sony STR500 looks a good option but I can't find any local pricing on it.

Is there anywhere in Jo'burg I can tell my colleague to find one ?
 
daveza said:
The Sony STR500 looks a good option but I can't find any local pricing on it.

Is there anywhere in Jo'burg I can tell my colleague to find one ?
Click to expand...

Not sure of any stores who stock it, I think it's end of life now.

For R5,000 I see that Dion Wired has the Samsung HW-E5500 in stock. I don't have much experience with Samsung, but it seems to pack quite a punch, and is loaded with more features than the Sony.

Also see that it is HDMI 1.4, which means that it will process the audio from the HDMI signal (no need for optical). Also has 2 optical inputs if you run out of HDMI inputs. Two HDMI inputs is a bit low, but for the price I think this is quite a good system. Can always get an HDMI hub if you need more inputs.
 
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