Directv / Dolby Digital Question, Polk DSS options

Max~Power
Max~Power Posts: 15
edited August 2008 in Electronics
Directv / Dolby Digital Question

Story: Just hooked up my (Digital Solution Model Number DS-1mk2) that Digital Preamp / Processor is sitting on top of a huge Sub with all the connections on the back. Polk System (is this a good, better or best system?). I have had this system for about 5 or so years… I finally hooked it fully back up at my new house after 3 years of no use. Fished wires mounted speakers and the goods.

Side rant: I had the front two speakers, Sub and the middle speaker working great but couldn’t get the rear speakers to work. After buying new wires and a wire stripper/cutter re-hooking everything up again it still wouldn’t work. Found a double AA batter trick to know the speaker was wired and they were. So I cut the power to the TV, Dircetv and Polk system left it for five minutes and plugged it all back in. It was then all working, what’s up with that?

So I have a Directv DVR Plus+. It has a Dolby Digital symbol on the front and their website said it would run it.

1. Do I need any special wiring for this sound? (Do not have HD or HDMI)
2. How do I know if the show on DirecTV has Dolby Digital sound? (I press info and sometimes there’s a ‘secondary audio’ symbol but no DD symbol. Directv.com was no help either..
3. Should I have my Red and White wires running into ‘DSS” or cable?

Right now everything is running great on the DSS Pro-logic setting, But I have read while trouble shooting my wiring problem that the difference between Dolby Digital and pro-logic is like CDs to LPs….

I really want to hear it in DD if the option is available.


Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but move it if you must
Post edited by Max~Power on
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  • Max~Power
    Max~Power Posts: 15
    edited August 2008
    Like right now I'm watching "Shooter" on Showtime 2...

    I have my polk set on DSS Pro-logic, but when I switch it to DSS Dolby Dig I get no sound with the text "No Data"
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  • Max~Power
    Max~Power Posts: 15
    edited August 2008
    Also sometimes the channels have the 'secondary audio’ in the info and also LB logo.. huh?
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited August 2008
    Max~Power wrote: »
    Directv / Dolby Digital Question

    Story: Just hooked up my (Digital Solution Model Number DS-1mk2) that Digital Preamp / Processor is sitting on top of a huge Sub with all the connections on the back. Polk System (is this a good, better or best system?). I have had this system for about 5 or so years… I finally hooked it fully back up at my new house after 3 years of no use. Fished wires mounted speakers and the goods.

    Side rant: I had the front two speakers, Sub and the middle speaker working great but couldn’t get the rear speakers to work. After buying new wires and a wire stripper/cutter re-hooking everything up again it still wouldn’t work. Found a double AA batter trick to know the speaker was wired and they were. So I cut the power to the TV, Dircetv and Polk system left it for five minutes and plugged it all back in. It was then all working, what’s up with that?

    So I have a Directv DVR Plus+. It has a Dolby Digital symbol on the front and their website said it would run it.

    1. Do I need any special wiring for this sound? (Do not have HD or HDMI)
    2. How do I know if the show on DirecTV has Dolby Digital sound? (I press info and sometimes there’s a ‘secondary audio’ symbol but no DD symbol. Directv.com was no help either..
    3. Should I have my Red and White wires running into ‘DSS” or cable?

    Right now everything is running great on the DSS Pro-logic setting, But I have read while trouble shooting my wiring problem that the difference between Dolby Digital and pro-logic is like CDs to LPs….

    I really want to hear it in DD if the option is available.


    Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but move it if you must

    What audio hook-up type are you using? If you're using the two RCA outputs (red & white) you will not get Dolby Digital (5.1). You will need an optical or digital coax connection.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited August 2008
    Max~Power wrote: »
    Also sometimes the channels have the 'secondary audio’ in the info and also LB logo.. huh?

    When I hit info on my Direct receiver I get a "DD" symbol in the upper right corner assuming it is Dolby Digital. LB is letterbox video. Secondary audio (SAP) would mean the show has a separate soundtrack usually in a different language.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • jerryj12
    jerryj12 Posts: 451
    edited August 2008
    Max did you ever play Half-Life?
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  • Max~Power
    Max~Power Posts: 15
    edited August 2008
    Marty913 wrote: »
    What audio hook-up type are you using? If you're using the two RCA outputs (red & white) you will not get Dolby Digital (5.1). You will need an optical or digital coax connection.


    I grabbed a Digital Toslink connections, I had one of these cables upstairs...and hooked it up... now when I switch it to DSS DD (while watching the olimpics) it then jumps to "dss sterio" I'm assuming it doed that beacause its not in DD...

    Marty913 wrote: »
    When I hit info on my Direct receiver I get a "DD" symbol in the upper right corner assuming it is Dolby Digital. LB is letterbox video. Secondary audio (SAP) would mean the show has a separate soundtrack usually in a different language.



    Thanks Marty... I never see the DD symbol!! can anyone tell me what show I should be checking for the DD symbol??

    I have checked showtime and stars, ppv movies... but not primetime shows like CSI
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  • Max~Power
    Max~Power Posts: 15
    edited August 2008
    Marty913 wrote: »
    When I hit info on my Direct receiver I get a "DD" symbol in the upper right corner assuming it is Dolby Digital. LB is letterbox video. Secondary audio (SAP) would mean the show has a separate soundtrack usually in a different language.

    What kind of receiver do you have?
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited August 2008
    Why is there the same question in two different posts
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • Max~Power
    Max~Power Posts: 15
    edited August 2008
    bigaudiofanatic wrote: »
    Why is there the same question in two different posts

    Wasn't sure what forum it belonged in... funny how different posters jumped in each
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited August 2008
    Max~Power wrote: »
    What kind of receiver do you have?

    I have a Direct TV H20 (high definition but not DVR) with HDMI connected to the monitor and optical to the receiver for audio. Did you check the menu item under audio to make sure audio output setting? The default setting is OFF, I believe. That would keep you from getting Dolby Digital.

    I see the DD symbol on every HD channel from History to Animal Planet and even on CNN. It is not there for every program but is on all the new ones. I just checked CNN and CNBC (355) a few minutes ago and both said English DD in the Info Bar.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • Max~Power
    Max~Power Posts: 15
    edited August 2008
    Marty913 wrote: »
    I have a Direct TV H20 (high definition but not DVR) with HDMI connected to the monitor and optical to the receiver for audio. Did you check the menu item under audio to make sure audio output setting? The default setting is OFF, I believe. That would keep you from getting Dolby Digital.

    I see the DD symbol on every HD channel from History to Animal Planet and even on CNN. It is not there for every program but is on all the new ones. I just checked CNN and CNBC (355) a few minutes ago and both said English DD in the Info Bar.


    I just flipped through 4 days of programs pn 355 and nothing in the info... I need an HD box i think
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