Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
netta7
Newbie

We just upgraded to Fios HD and are trying to connect it to our Denon AV Receiver.  We have called Fios telephone support and been given unsatisfactory answers.  One answer was use component cables.  This doesn't work for us because we WANT 1080 HD.   That was the whole purpose of going with Fios.  A second choice they gave us was to not use our AV receiver and just skip the surround sound.  This doesn't make sense to us either.  Why have Fios and HD and not be able to use our surround sound system?  Does anyone know how to make this work?   

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
ekem015
Specialist - Level 1

Component cables will give you 1080i, which is the max the FiOS STB can output and the max any broadcaster puts out (ESPN and Fox only broadcast in 720p). Watching 1080p blu-rays won't be affected, since the BD player would presumably be outputting to your receiver and then to your TV, or something like that.

But I don't see why you can't use HDMI cables. Have you tried that?

Assuming you don't have any other equipment besides the STB, TV, and receiver:

Wall --> (coax) --> FiOS HD STB --> (HDMI out on STB to HDMI in on receiver) OR (component video out on STB and optical/digital/component audio out on STB to component video in on receiver and optical/digital/component audio in on receiver) --> Receiver --> (HDMI out on receiver to HDMI in on TV) --> HDTV

Then, if you have a BD player, then you would just use HDMI out on that to the HDMI in on the receiver. Same thing with a DVD player or VCR, just with RCA cables instead since it's not HD.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
Hubrisnxs
Legend

run HDMI to the HDTV directly with optical/coax to the AVR as it avoids the HDMI handshake issue with the AVR and provides no loss in audio quality.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
ekem015
Specialist - Level 1

It doesn't sound like he's having handshake issues, so bypassing the receiver might not be necessary.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
Hubrisnxs
Legend

It's an assumption on my part.   If tech support is telling him to go pound sand and that he can't use hdmi, it's likely a handshake issue especially if they are telling him to run component to the av receiver.   

it's not like they are shying away from supporting the hook up,  they are just telling him not to use hdmi at all.   I haven't heard of any other reason for that other than a handshake issue or an incompatibility, both of which would have the same solution.  

I could be wrong though,  lord knows I have been in the past.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
netta7
Newbie

Thanks.  I don't know what a handshake is, but I do know the HDMI cables aren't working.  We'll try one of these solutions.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
ekem015
Specialist - Level 1

An HDMI handshake is a two-way connection between two HDMI-connected devices (like a STB and a TV) that is supposed to help prevent HDCP (copyright) issues. The 1.7 release of the Verizon STB software (IMG) was supposed to fix most of these, but there are still some lingering problems with HDMI handshakes with certain TVs and audio receivers. I personally use HDMI cables with my Verizon STBs and Toshiba, Sylvania, and Samsung HDTVs, no receivers, and I've had no HDMI problems.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
MrZeebo
Enthusiast - Level 2

What specific problem are you having?  I have a Denon A/V reciever in my setup, and it works fine, so it is possible.  As stated above, the right sequence of connections is:

(Wall coax) -> STB -> (HDMI) -> Receiver  -> (HDMI) -> TV

Have to make sure you know which input you're plugged into on the receiver (e.g., if it's plugged into "SAT/CBL", make sure you've selected that input) as well as on the TV. 

The only odd issue I've run into is that it seems like some particular cables have issues depending on where they are in the chain.  For some reason, if I had HDMI cable A between the STB and Receiver, and HDMI cable B between the receiver and TV, it might not work, but if I reversed the cables, it magically worked.  I have no idea why that would happen, but I saw it once, so it may be worth checking, or swapping cables.

That's my only generic suggestion without knowing your specific problem.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
PJL
Master - Level 3

@netta7 wrote:

We just upgraded to Fios HD and are trying to connect it to our Denon AV Receiver.  We have called Fios telephone support and been given unsatisfactory answers.  One answer was use component cables.  This doesn't work for us because we WANT 1080 HD.   That was the whole purpose of going with Fios.  A second choice they gave us was to not use our AV receiver and just skip the surround sound.  This doesn't make sense to us either.  Why have Fios and HD and not be able to use our surround sound system?  Does anyone know how to make this work?   


Have you enabled the correct HDMI input to the correct source setting by using the Denon setup?  THe Denon setup is not very intuitive in this respect.  It's under 3. Input Setup, Assign.

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Re: Connect Fios DVR box to AV Receiver in HD
NYC-Guy
Enthusiast - Level 3

As PJL has suggested check the settings on the Denon. By the way, most new AV receivers today will simply pass through the video signal and you should receive a 1080i picture on your screen without any degradation of your picture.

If that does not resolve your issue just try another HDMI cable and make sure it is HDMI 1.3 capable and not the older HDMI cables that had more handshake issues.

Another work around which I have used for my Pioneer Elite AV receiver is to have the HDMI cable go directly to your TV and connect an optical audio cable from the box to your Denon. This way you have the option of not having to use your receiver if there is a show that you don't want playing on your main speaker system like the news etc. You will then have a 1080i signal sent to the TV with two audio options.

There is also a great website called AVS forums where they have dedicated bulletin boards and you can post your issues and there are video and audio experts there that will be more than happy to assist you and suggest fixes. Here is the link for their receiver forum.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=90

Another suggestion if the trouble maker is the HDMI cable that you are using is to purchase a replacement and return the one you have to the store. The best place to purchase all of your AV cables is www.monoprice.com which will simply blow you away with their terrific pricing. Wait until you see how little HDMI cables of extremely high quality cost there. If you have high end AV components I also recommend purchasing heavier gauge cables which are available on Monoprice. Just remember that the lower the number of the cable gives you a thicker cable and a heavier gauge. American wire gauge (AWG)

I do have one last question which is what is the length of the HDMI cables you are using? There are known issues if you do use an extremely long cable.

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