Yamaha to fix problem with new AV receivers and Sky+ HD box
UPDATE 08/07/09:
Yamaha Japan has this morning confirmed it's working on a firmware upgrade for the RX-V465, RX-V565 and RX-V765 models to fix the problem, so users will be able to use the HDMI and optical digital connections simultaneously. Further details of how this will be implemented to follow soon.
We've been here before. Last year it was Sony who fell foul of the fact that Sky+ HD boxes only output Dolby Digital surround sound via an optical digital connection, not HDMI, and this year Yamaha has fallen into the same trap.
While testing Yamaha's new RX-V565, RX-V465 and RX-V765 multichannel receivers we discovered that if you connect the Sky+ HD box to the receivers using HDMI for picture and an optical digital cable for audio, the Yamahas automatically override the optical connection and only accept stereo sound via HDMI.
Of course, you can connect the HDMI output from the Sky+ box directly to the TV to transmit the picture, and use the optical digital connection for surround sound to the receiver, but then you can't use the Yamaha receivers for video switching.
Yamaha Music UK has confirmed it is aware of the problem and a spokesman says the models affected are: Yamaha RX-V465, RX-V565, RX-V765 and RX-V1065.
It's hoped a firmware upgrade could be issued to customers of the '465, '565 and '765 models on a CD, while the '1065 could be upgraded via a web download.
Other set-top boxes that use the same dual HDMI/optical connection method as Sky+ HD include BT Vision and Tiscali.
Comments
Thanks madonnalicious, I'll check that out.
Seriously though, where's the fun in reading the manual?
sounds great tho btw
the original review didn't mention it-its since been edited
Thanks for clearing up the Pioneer issue.
Pioneer has not fallen into the same trap (we've checked), and yes, we have Sky HD fitted into three of our test rooms and use it, and other STBs, when testing AV amps and receivers.
And the review online of the Yamaha RX-V565 does mention the issue.
Good to see Yamaha addressing the problem but how did they make the same mistake that Sony did nearly a year ago? Someone recently told me that Pioneer have also fallen foul of this but I haven't had it confirmed.
Why wasn't it mentioned on the review? Do WHF not use any subs TV box such as Sky +HD at all for reviewing AV kit?
hi minkus, on your rx-v1900 you need to set the audio select to "last", i think you can find info on this in your owners manual on page 84 - or is reading manuals only for girls? lol
)
The same thing happens with my new Yamaha RX-V1900. You have to hit "Audio Select" on the remote to choose the optical input if you want DD sound. If you switch the amp off and then on again, it defaults back to HDMI audio again.
Wightknight
I'll happily put in a call to Sky on Monday morning, but when we spoke to them last year about exactly the same issue with a couple of the Sony receivers, they didn't seem inclined to upgrade the HDMI output.
hope it can be fixed with firmware. just bought 565 after explaining to better half that id only need one wire to tv on wall. pity this issue wasnt mentioned in original review
Isn't the issue down to the version of HDMI that SKY HD boxes are configured with? I seem to remember that when they got them out to market HDMI1.3 wasn't even available yet, and that the boxes use HDMI 1.1. If this is the case the HDMI isn't capable of passing anything other than stereo audio via HDMI. I would be very surprised if SKY was in any hurry to change this until a SKYHD box mkII gets put together as they probably don't figure it to be a necessity and would probably involve increased licensing costs.
I agree with dapouch. The Sky+ HD boxes were deliberately configured this way. Thompson, Pure, Samsung didn't all make the same stupid mistake!
It is a nonsense that Sky aren't addressing this problem.
Andy - Could WHFSV pursue this with Sky? Pressure from the media along with customer complaints could help Sky to reassess their policy. It may not result in a recall, but new boxes may be designed to carry the DD signal through HDMI.
Besides, how hard would a fix for the Sky boxes be? Is it a hardware or firmware problem?
Problem is, there are already 1 million + Sky HD boxes out there in customers' homes, and I can't see Mr Murdoch agreeing to a recall.
And the same issue applies to the Virgin V+ box. I have to run HDMI and optical cables on that too.
Shouldn't Sky just fix this issue with their boxes, then receiver manufacturers wouldn't need to?