Surround output from Satellite?

Posted by: Jonathan on 23 July 2003

I have been told that the Left and Right outputs on a satellite receiver (I use a Humax receiving Hotbird and Sky recieving from Astra) carry the surround sound information (if the programme is broadcast in surround mode.

Im not convinced - anyone know if this is the case? Ideally I would then connect up the Humax to an AV2 and get surround sound, otherwise I guess I need to use the optical output.

Cheers

Jonathan

Note: the Sky receiver is routed through the Humax, so the optical option is not ideal.
Posted on: 23 July 2003 by Bananahead
Hi Jonathan

Yes it's true. It's common or garden Dolby Surround (4.0) form most programmes. If you get a SKy+ box then you can get Dolby Digital (5.1) from some films. It's definately worth doing. I have a Sony receiver that has optical out which does provide better quality but the ordinary stereo phonos do provide quite a good source.

And you are not supposed to get Sky in Greece anyway Wink

But then again neither am I in Switzerland.

Nigel
Posted on: 23 July 2003 by Trevor
I also have a Humax pointing towords Hotbird and Astra which is connected to my AV2 via the L/R outputs and can confirm it does produce surround sound with suitable source material. The Pro logic indicator on the AV2 lights and sound is produced by the rear speakers. I have tried the optical output but could not find any programming transmitting in Dolby Digital and English to make it worth while. I think the only Sky dogibox with a optical output for Dolby Digital are the sky plus boxes and this seems to involve even mores subscription fees but the ordinary boxes should produce pro logic via L/R outputs.
Posted on: 24 July 2003 by Jonathan
Nigel and Trevor,

Thanks very much - an expensive post of mine. Now the Av2 is a definite.....

Nigel - If you dont tell Sky, neither will I Big Grin.... Anyway I only take the free to air stuff via a card i got from the BBC - unfortunately the BBC just cut down the signal on BBC1 and 2, so I now need a dish the size of my roof (well 4 metres) to get them. I can still get C4 C5 and Sky news at least

Cheers

Jonathan
Posted on: 24 July 2003 by Bananahead
Jonathan

What the BBC have done is move to different transponders that just point at the UK instead of northern europe. They are mostly still ok for me using the standard little dish but can break up in bad weather. It is likely that the other free to air channels will move when they can because it is cheaper - they don't have to pay Sky anything apart from for the TV guide listing.


Nigel
Posted on: 24 July 2003 by BigH47
" You're not supposed to get Sky in Greece" never been to any bars in the islands then? Went one bar in Rhodes, Pefkos the guy had 4000+ channels , the roof looked like a NASA ground station.

Howard