Boxee

Allow simultaneous optical and HDMI audio (not just stereo)

Details

  • Type: Improvement Improvement
  • Status: Open Open
  • Priority: P3 P3
  • Resolution: Unresolved
  • Fix Version/s: Product
  • Component/s: Settings
  • Labels:
    None
  • Severity:
    Minor
  • Version:
    1.0.2.16619
  • Operating System:
    Boxee Box
  • Number of attachments:
    0

Description

Currently, there's an ALL setting for audio, but I think it limits the output to Stereo only for both HDMI and optical. I would like to be able to have the audio format checklist and an enable/disable for both outputs. I normally send my output through HDMI to my TV which sends it to my receiver. I'd like to be able to listen to music/pandora on the receiver via another direct optical cable (from boxee to receiver) while my wife plays a silent video game on the TV.

Thanks.

Activity

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Ami Ben-David [Boxee] added a comment -
This issue is awaiting review from Boxee Product Management.
If you are keen to have this feature implemented, please Comment and Vote for it.
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Ami Ben-David [Boxee] added a comment - This issue is awaiting review from Boxee Product Management. If you are keen to have this feature implemented, please Comment and Vote for it.
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Joel Bion added a comment -
I support this. It's crazy that you have to choose one or the other, and this limits the usefulness of the Boxee for me.
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Joel Bion added a comment - I support this. It's crazy that you have to choose one or the other, and this limits the usefulness of the Boxee for me.
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markus hübner added a comment -
wow - thought this is a standard on any device for a long time.
hope to see this fixed too.
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markus hübner added a comment - wow - thought this is a standard on any device for a long time. hope to see this fixed too.
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Tim added a comment - - edited
I would also like to put in a request for this.
Like to be able to use digital and anlog audio at the same time..
See ticket # 7337, same issue reported
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Tim added a comment - - edited I would also like to put in a request for this. Like to be able to use digital and anlog audio at the same time.. See ticket # 7337, same issue reported
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Rick Young added a comment - - edited
I guess one has to 'comment' to vote for this? If so, count me in!
Ah, now I see the 'vote' selector. I do think this should be a little higher priorty than 'minor' improvement.
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Rick Young added a comment - - edited I guess one has to 'comment' to vote for this? If so, count me in! Ah, now I see the 'vote' selector. I do think this should be a little higher priorty than 'minor' improvement.
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Mario Lopes added a comment -
THis is preventing for my children to use this device, Its very unfriendly to configure the audio.
All other devices that i have can do this,
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Mario Lopes added a comment - THis is preventing for my children to use this device, Its very unfriendly to configure the audio. All other devices that i have can do this,
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Piethein Strengholt added a comment - - edited
+1, would be nice to add this feature!
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Piethein Strengholt added a comment - - edited +1, would be nice to add this feature!
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Neil Fawcett added a comment -
Yes, I would like to be able to configure the Boxee to send DTS/5.1 etc audio to my amp via the optical output, and send stereo audio to my TV via the HDMI, at the SAME TIME.

Without this facility the box is very unfriendly. ie: My partner/kids could turn the Boxee on, to find no sound coming out of the TV speaks (HDMI) because last night I happened to be watching a film using the amp.

So it should be able to send out DTS/5.1 etc sound optically and stereo sound over HDMI at the same time!
Show
Neil Fawcett added a comment - Yes, I would like to be able to configure the Boxee to send DTS/5.1 etc audio to my amp via the optical output, and send stereo audio to my TV via the HDMI, at the SAME TIME. Without this facility the box is very unfriendly. ie: My partner/kids could turn the Boxee on, to find no sound coming out of the TV speaks (HDMI) because last night I happened to be watching a film using the amp. So it should be able to send out DTS/5.1 etc sound optically and stereo sound over HDMI at the same time!
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Neil Fawcett added a comment - - edited
I would question this being a 'minor' enhancement. This limitation is actually preventing me (& others) from buying the unit as it would make it too unfriendly to use in the household.

The box sells itself as being a userfriendly experience, but this simple issue means just because I happened to watch a film listening to say DTS from my amp (optical output) one night, when my partner comes to watch something then next day just via the TV (she doesn't bother with the amp), no sound (stereo) comes out of the TV (HDMI)?
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Neil Fawcett added a comment - - edited I would question this being a 'minor' enhancement. This limitation is actually preventing me (& others) from buying the unit as it would make it too unfriendly to use in the household. The box sells itself as being a userfriendly experience, but this simple issue means just because I happened to watch a film listening to say DTS from my amp (optical output) one night, when my partner comes to watch something then next day just via the TV (she doesn't bother with the amp), no sound (stereo) comes out of the TV (HDMI)?
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Mario Lopes added a comment -
How can this be classified with minor priority, if this is limitating the sound from the boxee.
What' the meaning of have 3 types of audio out if you can't use well.

Even the worst media player cand do this.

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Mario Lopes added a comment - How can this be classified with minor priority, if this is limitating the sound from the boxee. What' the meaning of have 3 types of audio out if you can't use well. Even the worst media player cand do this.
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Neil Fawcett added a comment - - edited
Indeed! The XTreamer, for example, fixed a similar issue within their unit in the very first few firmware updates. So it can pump DTS/DD5.1 etc out of its optical connection, and downmixed stereo audio out of the HDMI (if required), at the same time. Perfect!
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Neil Fawcett added a comment - - edited Indeed! The XTreamer, for example, fixed a similar issue within their unit in the very first few firmware updates. So it can pump DTS/DD5.1 etc out of its optical connection, and downmixed stereo audio out of the HDMI (if required), at the same time. Perfect!
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Harvey Chapman added a comment -
When I reported the bug, I marked it as minor because in general a minor bug is any bug that has a workaround. The workaround for now is to change the BoxeeBox settings. It's awkward and it doesn't really address the non-techie spouse issue, but it *does* work. I wavered on major vs. minor, but using the workaround test marked it minor. Also, I imagine the dev team will do this when they have time. There are many more major and blocker bugs that I think would come before this one.
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Harvey Chapman added a comment - When I reported the bug, I marked it as minor because in general a minor bug is any bug that has a workaround. The workaround for now is to change the BoxeeBox settings. It's awkward and it doesn't really address the non-techie spouse issue, but it *does* work. I wavered on major vs. minor, but using the workaround test marked it minor. Also, I imagine the dev team will do this when they have time. There are many more major and blocker bugs that I think would come before this one.
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Neil Fawcett added a comment - - edited
I think it's the "minor" and "improvement" that's concerning people. Makes it sound like a bit of a non-issue, or even worse, an optional-issue. Where infact, for some of us, it ruins the usuability of the entire machine.

Of course there are more serious issues, but this seems like a bit of a fundamental over-sight, and it would be nice at least for support to confirm it can be addressed, and there isn't a hardware limitation that means it can never be resolved - Because if that's the case, I can stop considering the unit to buy for example.
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Neil Fawcett added a comment - - edited I think it's the "minor" and "improvement" that's concerning people. Makes it sound like a bit of a non-issue, or even worse, an optional-issue. Where infact, for some of us, it ruins the usuability of the entire machine. Of course there are more serious issues, but this seems like a bit of a fundamental over-sight, and it would be nice at least for support to confirm it can be addressed, and there isn't a hardware limitation that means it can never be resolved - Because if that's the case, I can stop considering the unit to buy for example.
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Anton added a comment -
Please give this a higher priority than 'minor'. You currently offer choices HDMI, Optical, Analog, or All. The problem is the 'All' setting limits the output to stereo. How difficult can it really be to offer a choice for HDMI and Optical so we get 'proper' sounds from both those outputs?
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Anton added a comment - Please give this a higher priority than 'minor'. You currently offer choices HDMI, Optical, Analog, or All. The problem is the 'All' setting limits the output to stereo. How difficult can it really be to offer a choice for HDMI and Optical so we get 'proper' sounds from both those outputs?
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Neil Fawcett added a comment -
Still cannot buy this machine until this is resolved. I can't purchase a machine where people are expected to dig around in the configuration settings just to be able to listen via the TV (stereo, HDMI) or AMP (DTS & DD5.1 etc, optical)....
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Neil Fawcett added a comment - Still cannot buy this machine until this is resolved. I can't purchase a machine where people are expected to dig around in the configuration settings just to be able to listen via the TV (stereo, HDMI) or AMP (DTS & DD5.1 etc, optical)....
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Andre D added a comment -
I am having a similar issue with optical output to my receiver (marantz sr5300) - Dolby Digital and DTS boxes are checked in the boxee settings menu, yet only a stereo signal is detected by the receiver. I hope that a definitive answer comes soon so I can decide whether to keep the Boxee Box or not.
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Andre D added a comment - I am having a similar issue with optical output to my receiver (marantz sr5300) - Dolby Digital and DTS boxes are checked in the boxee settings menu, yet only a stereo signal is detected by the receiver. I hope that a definitive answer comes soon so I can decide whether to keep the Boxee Box or not.
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Carl added a comment -
Why does output to "All" have to resort to the lowest common denominator: Stereo. Can't we have Boxee use the best audio format for the output channel?
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Carl added a comment - Why does output to "All" have to resort to the lowest common denominator: Stereo. Can't we have Boxee use the best audio format for the output channel?
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Mario Lopes added a comment -
Boxee, is this a feature than can be expected? Its very Important because its not user friendly for a kid or wife to change the audio output every time that wnat to use tv or avr.
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Mario Lopes added a comment - Boxee, is this a feature than can be expected? Its very Important because its not user friendly for a kid or wife to change the audio output every time that wnat to use tv or avr.
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Bryan added a comment -
agreed. I switch between my TV audio and receiver audio all the time and having to go into the audio settings and not only switch between the outputs but also check/uncheck DD/DTS is getting very old. Using All Outputs would work perfectly if that setting would give us the best possible sound. All Outputs with DD/DTS please!!
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Bryan added a comment - agreed. I switch between my TV audio and receiver audio all the time and having to go into the audio settings and not only switch between the outputs but also check/uncheck DD/DTS is getting very old. Using All Outputs would work perfectly if that setting would give us the best possible sound. All Outputs with DD/DTS please!!
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Mo Volans added a comment -
Im also really hoping this is resolved / added / fixed. I want to be able to have 5.1 from both optical and HDMI. will this be implemented?
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Mo Volans added a comment - Im also really hoping this is resolved / added / fixed. I want to be able to have 5.1 from both optical and HDMI. will this be implemented?
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Oliver Sawade added a comment -
+1
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Oliver Sawade added a comment - +1
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Robert Fogelström added a comment -
+1 !!!
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Robert Fogelström added a comment - +1 !!!
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Ralph added a comment -
Yes please add this!!

+1
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Ralph added a comment - Yes please add this!! +1
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huhu grub added a comment - - edited
This is so easy to implement, why hasn't this been done yet?

After all, its only copying the audio bit-streams down 2 audio output sources simultaneously (no decoding required), how hard can that be?


Audio Options would be:
 Analog :
   * Decode audio to stereo

 Output Optical :
   * Decode audio to stereo
   * DTS (Pass through)
   * AC3 5.1 (Pass through)

HDMI:
   * Decode audio to stereo
   * DTS (Pass through)
   * AC3 5.1 (Pass through)
   (Plus other Audio formats 7.1 etc)
   

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huhu grub added a comment - - edited This is so easy to implement, why hasn't this been done yet? After all, its only copying the audio bit-streams down 2 audio output sources simultaneously (no decoding required), how hard can that be? Audio Options would be:  Analog :    * Decode audio to stereo  Output Optical :    * Decode audio to stereo    * DTS (Pass through)    * AC3 5.1 (Pass through) HDMI:    * Decode audio to stereo    * DTS (Pass through)    * AC3 5.1 (Pass through)    (Plus other Audio formats 7.1 etc)    
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Luis Payano added a comment -
Even my directTV receiver does this. HDMI for Video/DTS/AC3 and Analog at the same time...

Please fix this...
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Luis Payano added a comment - Even my directTV receiver does this. HDMI for Video/DTS/AC3 and Analog at the same time... Please fix this...

People

  • Assignee:
    Unassigned
    Reporter:
    Harvey Chapman
Vote (46)
Watch (18)

Dates

  • Created:
    Updated: