Question:

Dear Expert,

Hi I have a Sony PS3 and a Denon receiver (AVR-1602) and I can't get any sound using the optical digital audio cable.  What can I do?

Thanks.

-Martin N.

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Answer:

Hello, Martin,

You don't mention whether you've tried using the analog audio output from the PS3 into the receiver, but if you have and you are getting sound that way, then you just need to change a simple setting in the PS3's Settings menu.

The PS3 does not support simultaneous analog and digital audio output.  You have to select one or the other in order for it to work.  The specific setting you need is in "Settings... Sound Settings... Audio Output Settings" - select Digital Out (optical). 

Also, under "BD/DVD Settings" in the PS3 settings menu make sure the Optical Digital Output is set to "bitstream" not to "PCM."  This will pass the Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks to your receiver for true multi-channel sound decoding.  If set to "PCM" then you will only get two-channel PCM sound over the optical connection.

Also, on the receiver, make sure you are selecting the input that is assigned to the optical digital input.  The default on your receiver is "TV/DBS" but you can re-assign which input gets the optical digital jack in the Denon's System Setup menu ("Digital Input Setup"). 

And if you still don't get sound after following the above instructions, then make sure the Denon receiver's Input Mode is set to "Auto" - this will automatically detect the digital signal when it is active and use that for playback.

And if even that doesn't work, then try swapping out the optical cable for a new one.        

Hope that helps.

Regards,

-Chris

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