Have your say & ask the experts

As most users have probably found trying to get the 5.1 surround bar display with Sky HD can be hit or miss.

5.1 surround should show up on any HD Movie channel via HDMI but of course it does not perform in reality.

You have to forego the HD input and go for the normal SD version to get the superior sound... even though both show 46 Khz.

i.e. HD input only shows stereo channel, whereas SD version on Movie channel gives you 5.1 surround on display.

Even playing around with the Manual input button changing from auto/DTS/manual does not cheat the factor in your favour, if you want superior picture you have to forego the sound, whereas if you want the sound you have to forego HD definition. DIABOLICAL Even watching a BBC HD channel the Soundbar had to show TV/STB instead of AUX 1 (or in my case Sky+ HD on display) to illuminate the 5.1 surround bar.

My HDMI goes from Sky Box and Blu Ray Player to Yamaha input and the output connection goes from the Soundbar to the TV. Optical connectection is from Sky HD to Soundbar and Audio (phono) is from Blu Ray player to Soundbar.

My DAB works well considering the location but Sky should work 5.1 sound through the HDMI rather than Optical or Phono leads.  Obviously if someone knows how to work the Soundbar through Sky/HDMI plse enlighten the Forum.

The problem I have with the 5.1 Surround Sound with the Yamaha is if I select a movie channel say Sky Action then the 5.1 bar display lights up but the picture is 576p because I am viewing the SD version.

However when I then select Sky HD Action watching the same movie the display is now 1080i but the soundbar only lights up the Left and Right Channels so I now have to try and overide the HDMI by using the manual input button on the remote that changes from Auto/DTS/Manual that again only displays the L and R channel.  If I select TV/STB to get back the 5.1 bar I then lose the picture.

It could very well be my leads configuration but if Sky had allowed 5.1 to come through HDMI in the first place a lot of people would not have to use manual overide.

I have no clue about pcm signals and how the receiver translates this, but it does not make sense that the SD channel outputs the 5.1 input and the HD version does not. This post was intended for other Soundbar users who may have erradicated this problem. 

Sorreltiger  I connected the phono leads too see if it made a difference when using the BD Player to play CDs and by using the Soundbar in stereo mode instead of the HDMI route.

I understand what you're saying, but I doubt if it makes a difference in this case, does it?  The previous advice re your Sky box is more important.  Sky+HD has never sent 5.1 sound via HDMI and you need an optical connection.  This is a Sky limitation.  There have been rumours that this has changed on the latest Amstrad box, which is on trial.  

1) Disconnect the HDMI lead which is going from your Sky box into your Soundbar and reconnect it to a TV input.  

2) Connect optical to from your Sky+HD box to your Soundbar

3) Set your Sky+HD sound output to Dolby Digital (and your video output to 1080i or Auto).

4) Make sure that you have selected the correct inputs on your TV and Soundbar.

 You should now have an HD picture and DD 5.1 sound (when broadcast).

having just read these posts am wondering if you or anybody could enlighten me as the best way to interconnect my 'system' which is as follows;

samsung 37" LCD (series 5)

PS3 (40gig version)

sky+ HD (amstrad STB)

yamaha YSP30D soundbar

i have it all connected (somehow lol) with 3 HDMI's (monster) and 1 optical cable.

any replies in 'plain english' would be appreciated.....

Sorry for not answering sooner but I have been away on a resettlement course.  Sorreltiger was spot on with removing that HDMI lead from the soundbar and connecting it to the TV instead as this has solved the problem I was experiencing.  I get the impression a lot of people are frightened to display their connectionss for fear of mockery or ridicule but I find that this is not the case on here.  There is no such thing as a stupid question - just that others are more knowledgeable and are willing to share it on this Forum.

Burner I have the same Soundbar and connect it as follows:

HDMI Lead connected from Out on YSP30D into HDMI 1 input on TV that shows up as AV1 on my TV screen display.

My Blu Ray (your PS3) HDMI lead from Out  into DVD input on YSP30D (you could use Aux 1, instead as stated in Manual)

Sky HD Box - HDMI lead from Output into HDMI 2 on TV that shows up as AV2 on my TV screen display.

Optical lead from Sky HD Box into TV/STB on YSP30D this will give you the surround sound through the soundbar.

I also have a Monster scart lead from the Sky Box into the TV for SD Picture option (my choice), and phono leads from BluRay player into the soundbar when I was experimenting with using it as a CD player.  I have recently added a docking station for the plethora of ipods due this Christmas which has its own dedicated lead and Aux input.

All in all I am very pleased with the Digital Sound Projector especially the lack of intrusion into a living space, but I see they are releasing two models next year that can handle HD audio.....................

Damn them!