Problem setting up HT

Easy Runnin

I was trying to setup a 5.1 system with an AVR that does not have HDMI. I used an optical cable from the BDP to the AVR. I configured everything and all seemed well. I popped in Super 8 on Blu-ray and the screen with the setup and scene selection appeared and music came out of all the speakers. When I hit play it was pretty obvious nothing was coming out of the surround speakers. I recheck everything and all appeared to be in order. Next I tried the DVD version of the same movie and the surround speakers worked as they should. Does this make sense? Is it possible the cable is causing this behavior? I’m pretty sure the cable is the problem, but apparently it is not a problem with CDs or DVDs. Can anyone explain this?

BlueFox

Might be because Bluerays have lossless audio, and optical can't play it. See if the BR setup menu lets you select a lossy audio such as DTS or Dolby. That is what a regular DVD plays.

Elinvader

Like blue said check your audio tracks and check your soundfield options on receiver ...Hope it works for you

Easy Runnin

AVR manual says receiver processes Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS Neo:6 and DTS 96/24. BDP manual only mentions Dolby Digital and DTS. There is an audio setting on the BDP with an option for PCM or Dolby Digital. I had it set to Dolby Digital. I switched it to PCM and all seems well.... I think.

Thank You.

BlueFox

Great. Good job. Just remember that with audio, and HT, there is one rule that overrides everything else. And that is, "If it isn't one thing then it is something else."

No matter what you do, something will not work as expected.

tonyb

The newer Bluray Codecs like DTS hd Master Audio can't transfer over toslink, you'd need HDMI or analog outputs if you have them on your BDP.

some BR disc's don't have an option either for standard DD or DTS....so you'd be out of luck for sound using toslink. Time to upgrade the receiver, or buy an OPPO BDP with analog outputs.

Easy Runnin

I do have analogs. I thought optical was better, at least that's what my manuals say. So are you saying if I use analogs I don't have to down mix to PCM and that would be the way to go? Interesting and confusing at the same time. I'll have to give it a try.

tonyb

If your using analog outs on the BDP, then the BDP is doing all the decoding and simply passing it on to the appropriate channel in the receiver by the 5.1 analog connections.

Just be aware though, in most BDP'ers, you need all 5.1 cables if running the analog outputs or that info is lost. For example, if you don't have a center channel speaker. Many receivers can be set up to re-route that signal, but many BDP 'ers don't. That's a lot of IC's to buy....which is why HDMI is really the way to go. Might be cheaper to upgrade the receiver to something that has HDMI.

which bdp do you have ?

leftwinger57

Glad you solved your problem. I have/had a different situation. When I 1st got my H/T w/ HDMI cords years ago I thought they could it all, meaning split the signal to were I could watch silent t.v. and tunes at the same time. Well no, so I went direct HDMI into my cable box from my t.v. for input 1 and the 2nd HDMI for the out put in to my avr to pick up on screen YPAO and then ran 2 good RCAs out of my cable box to audio in of the my Yamaha and now it does what I always wanted w/ o losing that much in terms of sound quality.

Easy Runnin

The BDP is a Sony S570, the AVR is an integra 4.6. I switched to analog cables and changed the audio settings back to Dolby digital and DTS. I haven't had a chance to do critical listening but it pretty much sounds the same as optical cable down mixed to PCM. Should one sound better than the other?

tonyb

Your player doesn't have 5.1 analog outs, just front left and right. The only way your going to get DTS HD Master audio from a BR disc is by hdmi.