Panasonic SA-XR25. On startup, there's loud crackling, popping audio for 10-15 min then it's ok. It's taking longer and longer to "warm up". It's plugged-in to a PS3 by optical cable. Fixable?

SOURCE: Panasonic Receiver SA-XR25

I thought it might be heat related, so I put a small battery operated fan behind the receiver, and voila, no more clicking. I just have to invest in rechargable batteries or an electric fan.

SOURCE: Crackling seems to be coming from central speaker

in mu experience its a problem with voltage of your speaker.

did you tried before touching the speakers hard...

because the magnetic in the central of the speaker may damaged.

SOURCE: audio crackling and popping noise for PS3

Might be a problem with your cables. Get new ones.

SOURCE: I just installed a Bose Cinemate II system. HDMI

No,you are not mistaken actually.I really don't have much to offer though.I just want to let you know that I have seen many problems with HDMI cables and no sound.HDMI does in fact transfer audio/video.Even though I do not like to use Wikipedia because anyone can edit the info,I check and see if it is accurate first and does give the best descriptions and is the quickest and easiest to find.This is a newer technology.Any new technology is usually not figured out until about year 5.In year 3,they are able to get the kinks worked out,but year 4 is already in production.They start designing and building the best version for year 5 next.Although 5 years isn't always achieved,it is more of a minimum to see the best possible of the technology.Happens with cars,TV's,VCR's,etc.Prices come down as everyone who wants it is greatly reduced by then also.Anyhow,here is a link to some info about HDMI.Scroll down to Communication channel protocols.Under TMDS there is some relevant info.You may not understand the terminology but basically it seems that there is an internal automatic muting with certain changes in the audio signal.It just sounds to me like the automatic mute is too sensitive right now and will improve over time.There is also some encryption taking place which is basically taking the output,scrambling it,sending it somewhere,and then being unscrambled and reproduced identically.Same as wireless internet.With all the various products being used,everyone has their own way of doing something.Since it isn't exactly made with exact specifications,there are many variations to interpret.If someone were to have ALL components made by 1 company,it would most likely work much better.How many people have that kind of setup though?Very few.There is not 1 company which makes everything they produce,better than everyone else's.Some make better radios,some TV's,etc.Right now,some of the better TV's are Samsung,LG,Vizio.Some better phones are AT&T,Panasonic.Bose has been at the top of the food chain for years for audio for that reason also.They do audio,nothing else,so they can put everything into it.I know this is a bit wordy but that's why I am here.To inform and educate people about things which they most likely don't understand and encourage them to spread the word.Hope you understand this anyhow.Basically,depending on how old your PS3 is,there may be compatibilty issues.With HDMI changing/upgrading rapidly,if your PS3 is an earlier version,it could simply be compatibility because PS3's even were changed as they sold more.If you have any questions or need more help,just comment here and I will get an autolink to your post and reply ASAP.Here is the link for HDMI characteristics/operation.Good luck,Greg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

Testimonial: "Thank you for your response. I was able to get audio for my PS3 by connecting an optical cable from the PS3 to the Cinemate interface module."

SOURCE: I have an RCA home theatre...model rt2910. I have

You should have the HDMI plugged into the Home theater unit. The theater unit then is attached to the TV using the HDMI out.
The home theater unit passes the HDMI through to the TV while playing the audio for you.
You will likely need to select the correct source on your RT2910.
Here is a link to the manual.
http://www.1800customersupport.com/productdocuments/RT2910_RCA.pdf
See the section entitled "Connecting to HDMI Components" for an illustration of what I have described above.