Does this exist?

[solleyman]

I would like something like this:

X1 Enhanced 1.3b Certified HDMI Switch with built-in Equalizer and Remote (REV.3.0)

that will strip the audio from the various HDMI sources and output on one Toslink cable. Gets me to one HDMI to my TV and one Fiber to my receiver.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I know there are several that have 4 HDMI inputs and 4 toslink inputs to 1 output of each type, but I don't remember seeing anything that will strip audio off HDMI and send it via digital coaxial or toslink.

 

[Slick5150]

Hmm.. I've seen devices to combine video + optical to 1 HDMI stream, but can't say I've ever seen anything that will strip the audio out of HDMI either. I wonder if there would be legal issues involved in doing that what with the "encryption" of the HDMI signal itself?

 

[krotchy]

I cant imagine this type of thing exists, because HDMI has more advanced audio abilities than Toslink. From what I understand, anything that can be sent via Toslink can be sent via HDMI, however HDMI adds some HD audio formats on top of that that cannot be processed by SPDIF. This would make stripping the signal and sending it via SPDIF useless in those cases. Also the HDCP issues involved would make it a headache I imagine. Good luck in your search though.

 

[Modelworks]

The hdcp is going to cause problems.
But thats not the only issue.
The audio in a hdmi connection isn't sent on just two wires that you can connect to spdif.
Its actaully multiplexed or mixed in with the video signal and sent over 3 different lines, data 0,1,2 . Cut out one of those lines and you lose video and audio.

So to extract the audio you need something to read in the stream, decode it and send it out toslink or spdif. The chips to do that are out there, but so far the making of such a device is a very niche market. I have seen some, but the cost is over 300.00 for the box.

 

[Quasmo]

It exists but it costs ALOT of money. I mean ALOT.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3939

not toslink but coax.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: Quasmo
It exists but it costs ALOT of money. I mean ALOT.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3939

not toslink but coax.

And for that price, you might as well just invest in a receiver w/ HDMI that will strip the audio out for you and eliminate the need for the optical cable alltogether.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: Slick5150

Originally posted by: Quasmo
It exists but it costs ALOT of money. I mean ALOT.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3939

not toslink but coax.

And for that price, you might as well just invest in a receiver w/ HDMI that will strip the audio out for you and eliminate the need for the optical cable alltogether.

And give you the better-quality audio tracks like Dolby TrueHD from Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.

 

[solleyman]

Thanks for the replies, folks.

Guess it will be HDMI into my TV and fiber back out to receiver. That should work, right?

Or do I just need to run audio from each component directly to the receiver inputs?

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: solleyman
Thanks for the replies, folks.

Guess it will be HDMI into my TV and fiber back out to receiver. That should work, right?

Or do I just need to run audio from each component directly to the receiver inputs?

It might work, however some TV's will only process 2.0 sound via HDMI and pass only the 2.0 to the receiver. They will almost all always pass 5.1 directly from their ATSC/QAM tuners though

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: krotchy

Originally posted by: solleyman
Thanks for the replies, folks.

Guess it will be HDMI into my TV and fiber back out to receiver. That should work, right?

Or do I just need to run audio from each component directly to the receiver inputs?

It might work, however some TV's will only process 2.0 sound via HDMI and pass only the 2.0 to the receiver. They will almost all always pass 5.1 directly from their ATSC/QAM tuners though

Some TVs (like my Pioneer 5080) don't pass audio from an HDMI input at all. It will pass 5.1 directly from the ATSC tuner. I have my DirecTV HD DVR and PS3 both connected via HDMI to the TV and digital optical to the receiver.