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Unfortunately the volume control on the remote doesn't affect the digital output level, either on SPDIF or HDMI. Which is a shame.It depends on which channel you are using. It should work on SD channels but not on HD ones (SD channels have Mpeg1 layer 2 audio while HD have AAC audio - (the box recodes AAC to Dolby Digital. The volume level for Dolby Digital is encoded in the data stream, it can only be varied after the audio is decoded at the analogue stage. You can force the box to output mp2 for all channels but of course you lose any multichannel content that the broadcast may have. ITV never have 5.1 it's all 2.0 (stereo).
I'm not very technically minded, so I'm not sure what this means.
My 4000T is connected to my TV via HDMI an I have a soundbar connected to the TV with an optical cable. I use the Humax remote to adjust the sound volume and it works on both HD and SD channels. I occasionally use the soundbar's remote to adjust the bass or treble.
I have been thinking of replacing my soundbar with a 5.1 surround sound system, but as the only TV I watch is Freeview recordings on the 4000T, it appears that I wouldn't get any improvement in sound, if I'm reading this correctly.A half decent AV receiver will have HDMI inputs and at least one HDMI output. Basically you would connect a 5000T to one of the receiver inputs along with any other kit like say a blueray player. The receiver HDMI out connects to your TV with this cable normally used to deliver only video. The receiver intercepts the audio and using it's internal Dolby Digital decoder sends up 6 channels (5.1) to speakers and a powered subwoofer, the amplifier volume control controls the volume. The audio used by HD channels can have up to 6 channels though much is is 2.0 (stereo). The sound is superior to the MP2 audio used by SD channels HDMI can carry so called HD audio (lossless like DTS Master HD as you can find on a bluray- disk. the other Digital S/Pdif outputs can handle Dolby Digital 5.1 but not the more advanced HD formats Also you can normally adjust the audio levels for each HDMI input
So using a proper AV receiver should give you superior sound compared to a flat screen TV with it's tiny speakers.
POP into a local Richer Sounds if you decide to go 5.1 or higher.
The 5000T is unusual because it has seperate options for S/PDIF audio (Stereo/Dolby Digital) and HDMI Audio Out (Stereo/Dolby Digital). Changing the setting to stereo on either will downmix HD channels to MP2 audio and then the box volume control will work on either output.
If you change either output to Dolby Digital and tune to A HD channel the box volume control will have no effect.Thanks for your detailed reply Graham. I had to read it a couple of times for it to sink in, but I think I've got it now. The surround system I am considering is from Richer Sounds, and has 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output. The only reason I don't already have it is because it's an in-store purchase only and I need someone to take me there to buy it
I checked my current audio settings on the Humax and found that the S/Pdif was set to Dolby Digital and the HDMI was set to Stereo. With this setting, or with both set to Stereo, I can use the Humax remote to adjust the volume from my soundbar, but if I change the HDMI to Dolby Digital then, as you say, the remote has no effect on the sound.
What's the system model number you are going to buy ? Think it might be the same as my Daughter has.
