Why can't I get sound using my optical cable?

Question

Here are my components:

Sony STR-DB840 Stereo Receiver

Dish Network VIP622 DVR Satellite Receiver

Sony BDP-S300 Blu-Ray DVD Player

Sony KDS-50A2000 SXRD 50" TV

1) I am using HDMI cables to run video from the Blu-Ray and Satellite Receiver to the TV.

2) I used a digital coaxial audio cable to go from my Blu-Ray to the stereo receiver. My TV only has optical audio out (and I prefer digital coax).

3) I then connected a Phillips optical cable from my satellite receiver to my stereo receiver.

I cannot get sound from my satellite. In the digital input section on the back of my receiver, I have optical inputs for Tape, TV/Sat, and DVD. I also have a digital coax input for DVD. I used this one for my Blu-Ray. I tried plugging the optical cable into the TV/Sat input (directly linked from my Satellite receiver). Can anyone help with why I am not getting TV sound?

Answer 1

Connect the working cable to your receiver.  Does the other end light up?  If not, check the settings of your satellite receiver.  You may need to turn on the optical audio output (I don't remember if you need to do this with Dish or not...)

If it does light up, then try the Phillips cable.  If you don't get a light, then the Phillips cable is bad.  If you do get a light, then you probably have to check the settings on your receiver.  

On my receiver, only one of the digital inputs was turned on by default.  While I was assigning my video and audio inputs, I had to make sure I told the 2nd optical input to be ON.  Otherwise, the receiver would have just ignored that input.

Also make sure you then set the receiver to use the input label that the satellite connections are using.

I really wish receivers made this easier by allowing you to just assign arbitrary inputs to a user-created label.  I know high end units do this, but come on, it's hardly worth paying $1000 more for something so simple.

Answer 2

To ease troubleshooting, here's what I do.

Only hook up what doesn't work.  Disconnect everything else.

If it doesn't work something is wrong (bad connection on amp/equipment or bad cable <-usual culprit)

If it works, then I know I have an input conflict.  Most amps will have mulitple inputs for the components and likely you have 2 using the one you want.  

Good luck.

Answer 3

1. check and verify digital input selector settings if you've performed optical assignments properly.

2. check if there's any priority settings on your sat receiver; some boxes prioritize hdmi for audio, since hdmi carries both vid and sound at most cases. if you're able to set audio to be on optical, then i believe you're all set

3. since you didn't mention any problem with your dvd, then the issue is with the sat receiver settings

good luck

;)

Answer 4

Your receiver should have something called "digital assign" which will allow you to use one of the other digital ports and map it to the function you want to. Or perhaps you have already inadvertently assigned a port and you need to unassign it.

You can download the manual from the Sony web site which will tell you how to do it. Good luck.