Connecting PVR complex question

britboy4321

britboy4321

britboy4321

Permabanned
Joined
10 Dec 2008
Posts
4,080
Location
London
Hi Guys,

Firstly a huge thanks in advance. Bear with me ..

I am about to buy a freeview HD box that has 1 single HDMI lead out. It also has a SCART lead out.

I know that freeview HD sound out, for the high def channels, is 5.1 (correct me if wrong!)

I own, as well as the TV, a 5.1 amp with HDMI in and out. The HDMI OUT does not work at all unless the amp is on.

Here is the problem, I DON'T want to bother turning on the amp (and power-amp, and everything else) for 80% of my TV viewing but still want the high def channels in high def on the tv. I can't be bothered to turn on all the sound equipment for, I dunno, the 6pm news. For THAT and MOST THINGS TV speaker stereo is fine though high def piccy if available is still wanted.

I do want the capability to turn on tha amp for 20% of freeview HD broadcasts though .. when a good film/series comes on TV etc to enjoy lovely 5.1. I don't at any point after setup want to have to change leads around.

As mentioned, I always want the transmitted channels that are HD to be PICTURE HD, with minimum stereo sound, even if the amp is not turned on. I know from experimenting if the amp is not turned on, the thing no longer acts as a 'through' so I guess I'll have to have some kind of connection from the PVR to the TV direct for my 'can't be bothered with cinema sound, but want the HD picture' viewing,

Remember, only 1 HDMI out from the PVR. :/

So my question is this, can you think of anyway to set up the system as specified?

I was thinking about doing the HDMI lead to the 5.1 amp, then using the SCART out of the PVR to the TV direct .. scart would give me the stereo sound I want 80% of the time, but would it also screw up my capability to watch the HD channels in high def without turning the amp on (something I don't want)?

Can you think of anything (HDMI splitter maybe or something) to get the set-up I'm after?

Much appreciated. Let me know if this lot does not makes sense and I'll try again ..

Britters.
 
Last edited:
most decent amps will allow pass through even if the amp is off, but it seems yours doens't?

Can you run the hdmi into your TV and then back out into your amp?

Or run optical/coax out from the freeview box to the amp and hdmi to the tv?

Or get a splitter. Or get a box that fulfils the features your require.
 
Some tv's you can assign the audio input from somewhere else, check you can do that. If you can, use an aux input, be it rca scart or optical and reassign to your hdmi input.
Only easy way to do it really, but assumes your TV lets you control audio inputs seperately.

I guess alternatively get a switch but 1 in 2 out instead of the more common other way round.

EDIT: Scratch that, whack the HDMI from the freeview box straight to your TV. Run an optical cable to the amp, into an audio only input. Sorted, watch on HDMI through your tv normally, turn on your amp to just audio channel when you want 5.1.
 
Last edited:
Easiest solution from my point of view would be to get a Logitech Harmony remote control. Then you can just press the 'watch TV' button and the amp, power amp, tv and PVR will all come on, set themselves to the right inputs/outputs etc and you'll be watching the news through decent speakers in seconds. Saves having to double cable or use passthrough etc and faffing around with choosing inputs and outputs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom