IF you are looking for an HDMI switcher that converts HDMI audio to Toslink, Octava has a '5x2 Distribution Amp' that I am extremely pleased with. It has 5 HDMI inputs, 2 HDMI outputs and a Toslink output that is generated from the selected HDMI input. This switcher also works well with TVs and projectors that only have DVI inputs. I have one of the unit's HDMI outputs going to my DVI plasma TV via a converter cable; the other HDMI output goes to the HDMI input on my new Sony receiver. You might ask: why didn't I simply run the HDMI inputs through the Sony receiver and then run a converter cable from the Sony receiver HDMI output into the TV's DVI input? Well, the answer is: Sony HDMI products don't play nice with DVI products. They explicitly state it in their equipment manuals and (from my frustrating experience) through their technical support. When the video goes out to a DVI connector, the audio cuts out in the Sony receiver; unplug the HDMI-DVI connector, and the audio comes back on. I researched the problem on line and found others who have reported similar experiences, while some others have reported losing 5.1 output but retaining two channel output. In any event, the Octava 5x2 (with latest firmware) works perfectly for me. I'm getting 5.1 output into the receiver from both the Octava's HDMI output and its Toslink output (good for those who have receivers that lack an HDMI input). For those who want to retain the option of getting two channel audio output from the TV, one can connect the Octava's Toslink optical output to a converter (such at the LTB-AC3-340 AC3 to Stereo Audio Converter from LTB.com). It also works very well. If you need Toslink optical to go to both the TV and the receiver, consider the additional purchase of a Toslink splitter, such as the Inday TLDA1 Toslink Distribution Amplifier. Finally, one might ask: why not simply buy a new 40+ inch LCD TV for $1200 or so and avoid all this hassle? Well, I like and am using all 5 HDMI inputs; none of the TVs I've seen have that many. More importantly, I've looked at all of the new TVs and have found that, unless the source signal is 1080p, my $8K (at the time) older Sony plasma has a much nicer looking picture. There are still a lot of good, fully functioning DVI-input TVs and projectors out there....
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IF you are looking for an HDMI switcher that converts HDMI audio to Toslink, Octava has a '5x2 Distribution Amp' that I am extremely pleased with. It has 5 HDMI inputs, 2 HDMI outputs and a Toslink output that is generated from the selected HDMI input. This switcher also works well with TVs and projectors that only have DVI inputs. I have one of the unit's HDMI outputs going to my DVI plasma TV via a converter cable; the other HDMI output goes to the HDMI input on my new Sony receiver.
You might ask: why didn't I simply run the HDMI inputs through the Sony receiver and then run a converter cable from the Sony receiver HDMI output into the TV's DVI input? Well, the answer is: Sony HDMI products don't play nice with DVI products. They explicitly state it in their equipment manuals and (from my frustrating experience) through their technical support. When the video goes out to a DVI connector, the audio cuts out in the Sony receiver; unplug the HDMI-DVI connector, and the audio comes back on. I researched the problem on line and found others who have reported similar experiences, while some others have reported losing 5.1 output but retaining two channel output. In any event, the Octava 5x2 (with latest firmware) works perfectly for me. I'm getting 5.1 output into the receiver from both the Octava's HDMI output and its Toslink output (good for those who have receivers that lack an HDMI input).
For those who want to retain the option of getting two channel audio output from the TV, one can connect the Octava's Toslink optical output to a converter (such at the LTB-AC3-340 AC3 to Stereo Audio Converter from LTB.com). It also works very well. If you need Toslink optical to go to both the TV and the receiver, consider the additional purchase of a Toslink splitter, such as the Inday TLDA1 Toslink Distribution Amplifier.
Finally, one might ask: why not simply buy a new 40+ inch LCD TV for $1200 or so and avoid all this hassle? Well, I like and am using all 5 HDMI inputs; none of the TVs I've seen have that many. More importantly, I've looked at all of the new TVs and have found that, unless the source signal is 1080p, my $8K (at the time) older Sony plasma has a much nicer looking picture. There are still a lot of good, fully functioning DVI-input TVs and projectors out there....