Strange HDMI issues with SkyBox F3 + Sony Amp

[briz]

Hi all,

Using an F3 with firmware 3601HD_08_05_2012_0781

Following my quest to get 5.1 DD sound over HDMI from my Sony Amp I've discovered some very strange issues with HDMI interaction between TV & AMP whenever the F3 is connected.

I have a Panasonic Viera Plasma (TX42GT20B)
I have a Sony Receiver/Amp (STR-DH810, also tried the 820 with same issues)

Basically, whenever the F3 is connected I lose the Audio Return Channel (ARC) and HDMI control that normally exists between the AMP & TV. This allows me to use a single remote to control TV + AMP with synchronized volume, switch on/off etc and also get the TV audio through the amp without an extra optical cable, so it's very useful.

Reproduced 100% after several connect/disconnect. With F3 connected I lose this. Disconnect F3 and reboot everything and it works again.

Tried plugging F3 directly into TV and using ARC for audio back to the amp, but I lose dolby digital surround this way since the TV down-mixes it to Stereo LPCM 48. There's no optical/coax digital audio output on the F3 so this isn't an option either

Anyone else seeing similar issues and/or have a solution to this?

Thanks for reading!

[singingshiver]

Hi all,

Using an F3 with firmware 3601HD_08_05_2012_0781

Following my quest to get 5.1 DD sound over HDMI from my Sony Amp I've discovered some very strange issues with HDMI interaction between TV & AMP whenever the F3 is connected.

I have a Panasonic Viera Plasma (TX42GT20B)
I have a Sony Receiver/Amp (STR-DH810, also tried the 820 with same issues)

Basically, whenever the F3 is connected I lose the Audio Return Channel (ARC) and HDMI control that normally exists between the AMP & TV. This allows me to use a single remote to control TV + AMP with synchronized volume, switch on/off etc and also get the TV audio through the amp without an extra optical cable, so it's very useful.

Reproduced 100% after several connect/disconnect. With F3 connected I lose this. Disconnect F3 and reboot everything and it works again.

Tried plugging F3 directly into TV and using ARC for audio back to the amp, but I lose dolby digital surround this way since the TV down-mixes it to Stereo LPCM 48. There's no optical/coax digital audio output on the F3 so this isn't an option either

Anyone else seeing similar issues and/or have a solution to this?

Thanks for reading!

Ive got the exact same thing. Panasonic Viera TV with Panasonic Surround. No solution found.

[cactikid]

have another look at back of box.
Digital audio output: S/PDIF by coaxial and optical;
looking at the image of box black socket between rs232 and power switch looks like a phono connection which is a digital out to amp.
the way i hooked up my stuff is tv to sat box i used hdmi and spdif or digital out from box to in on amp to give me 7-1 sound,i have an onkyo with loads of places to insert plugs.

[deadlyminimee]

have another look at back of box.
Digital audio output: S/PDIF by coaxial and optical;
looking at the image of box black socket between rs232 and power switch looks like a phono connection which is a digital out to amp.
the way i hooked up my stuff is tv to sat box i used hdmi and spdif or digital out from box to in on amp to give me 7-1 sound,i have an onkyo with loads of places to insert plugs.

That connection is a 12v output for something. I am trying to connect my F3 to surround using digital coaxial but can not see where it would go!!!!

[cactikid]

silly question any drop down front flap?do you have the booklet that came with box to see what specs it says,for boxes nowadays not to have a digital out port is silly

[briz]

Ive got the exact same thing. Panasonic Viera TV with Panasonic Surround. No solution found.

Thanks for posting, at least I now know it's not a specific fault with any of my kit. Guess it's down to the TV since we have different brand receivers.

[briz]

silly question any drop down front flap?do you have the booklet that came with box to see what specs it says,for boxes nowadays not to have a digital out port is silly

There is a flap, but only OSD controls, USB & CA slot in there. I know all the specs online for these boxes list optical & coaxial digital audio out, but it's just not there! Only way is over HDMI

[cactikid]

they should not have said spdif and digital coaxial out in advertising the box should have at least one,have you tried a better hdmi cable as some dont.

[marsellus]

HI Guys

Spent few hours to find out whats the problem before i found this forum and info.

I got

Panasonic 42gt30, Yamaha RX-V671

After connect SKyBox F3 thru hdmi and amp i lost ARC, Viera link control to amp.

I setup Hifi every day at work so i think cheap chinese box is not compatibile hdmi out and blocking amplifier and other devices to talk over hdmi.

Got no solution for that and firmware wouldnt sort this problem while its hardware problem inside skybox.

Only way is to change to dm800se what i done and its fine

thanks.

[satmanuk]

ive got the same Problem running Sony DG820 amp with Sony Bravia TV, lost my sync vcontrol while F3 is connected - hope there is some sort of fix for this sometime, its a right PITA

Running Scooby firmware

[cactikid]

only fix may be a better box,if makers dont give a spdif or digital co ax out box cant give 5-1,now if you had a big amp and connected the hdmi to that who knows??

[satmanuk]

I picked up 3 Port HDMI Switch Box Switcher Selector Splitter 1080P | eBay today as I was running a Sky amstrad looped through from a SkyboxF3 and the switcher seems to strip out the offensive signal that blocks the Sony Amp control, so good news.

[smokinweed]

Hi all,

Using an F3 with firmware 3601HD_08_05_2012_0781

Following my quest to get 5.1 DD sound over HDMI from my Sony Amp I've discovered some very strange issues with HDMI interaction between TV & AMP whenever the F3 is connected.

I have a Panasonic Viera Plasma (TX42GT20B)
I have a Sony Receiver/Amp (STR-DH810, also tried the 820 with same issues)

Basically, whenever the F3 is connected I lose the Audio Return Channel (ARC) and HDMI control that normally exists between the AMP & TV. This allows me to use a single remote to control TV + AMP with synchronized volume, switch on/off etc and also get the TV audio through the amp without an extra optical cable, so it's very useful.

Reproduced 100% after several connect/disconnect. With F3 connected I lose this. Disconnect F3 and reboot everything and it works again.

Tried plugging F3 directly into TV and using ARC for audio back to the amp, but I lose dolby digital surround this way since the TV down-mixes it to Stereo LPCM 48. There's no optical/coax digital audio output on the F3 so this isn't an option either

Anyone else seeing similar issues and/or have a solution to this?

Thanks for reading!

panasonic tv and panasonic sound bar and panasonic blueray dvd player
all interlinked perfectly with my tm800hd ( could only get 720i ) so I bought skybox f3
no matter where I put f3 it stops everything synking
tried it in all hdmi's in tv and all in sound bar ( obviously not the arc's) and even tried a 3 port hdmi splitter in both the tv and sound bar ( every combination possible )

gonna try an optical cable this afternoon and try another f3 too

my head is cabbaged

[vipulan10]

Skybox F5 with Sony amp & TV

I have the same problem where connecting the box stops the Bravia Sync. Still no solution?

[cactikid]

there probably never will be ,a budget box and missing a spdif or digital coaxial out for 5-1,next upgrade hopefully it might be on them.