I'd like to start by introducing the components I have that I'm trying to interconnect:

Sony STR-DE998 Receiver
SA 4250HDC Cable Box
Xbox 360


I've got 5.1 mid-end speakers and subwoofer hooked up to my receiver using standard 18 guage speaker wire and a coax Monster cable to the subwoofer.

I've got the SA Box connected to my receiver using component video cables and a coax audio cable. My 360 is connected using component video cables and an optical audio cable. Both display video properly and display sound, but not DD 5.1 - ever. I've tried every configuration of the Receiver I can think of and read the manual several times trying to find a mistake in my configuration, but am completely stumped. The settings for the 360 and the SA Box are set up to be outputting DD sound in their respective options as well.

I'm asking for some help on any tips or hints as to how I've got this configured incorrectly. Thanks to anyone who helps out.

Edit: Some additional info I remembered that I thought might be relative. The 360 and any HDTV show up as Dolby Digital 3/2.1 on my receiver (scrolls across the front when it finds a new audio source, like changing channels, changing input, etc..). I did have a HTPC hooked up and think it would display Dolby Digital 5.1 across the front when it was hooked up using coaxial audio, but I don't have it now and it might have just been a fluke that it worked before.

. . . show up as Dolby Digital 3/2.1 on my receiver . . .That is Sony's way of saying 5.1 !

Ed

That is Sony's way of saying 5.1 !

Ed

I'm almost scared to ask if this is a joke. I've read some bad reviews on my receiver and hope you are kidding.

I'm not kidding. The 3 means the 3 front channels : LCR, 2 means L&R surround channels, and .1 means the LFE channel. Nothing really wrong with that.

When listening to 3/2.1, can you hear that it is 5.1?

Ed

No, there is no sound from the surround speakers.

No, there is no sound from the surround speakers.
Trust me - if the Sony displays 3/2.1, then you are getting a 5.1 signal from your source. If there is no sound from the surrounds, then it could be that you are listening to a TV program on the cable box. TV shows are notorious for sending a 5.1 signal with content only in the front L&R channels. Use a DVD in your 360 with known surround audio - like an action scene. The surrounds should be working then.

Ed

Alright, thanks for the help. On a personal note: what a confusing and stupid thing, from a design point, for Sony to do.

That's not just Sony. It's pretty much industry wide. My Onkyo will also display 3/2.1.

To what outputs have you connected your surround speakers? They should be connected to the "side surround" or "surround" outputs NOT THE "SURROUND REAR" OUTPUTS.

To what outputs have you connected your surround speakers? They should be connected to the "side surround" or "surround" outputs NOT THE "SURROUND REAR" OUTPUTS.

I've got them connected to simply the "Surround" output, not the alternative "Surround Back" outputs that are only used for 2nd Zone I believe.

That's not just Sony. It's pretty much industry wide. My Onkyo will also display 3/2.1.

Weird. Both my older Denon and current Marantz receivers always said 5.1, no mention of 3/2.1 at all.

Weird. Both my older Denon and current Marantz receivers always said 5.1, no mention of 3/2.1 at all.Check the OSD. Almost all receivers will say "3/2.1". My Denon 3803 does.

I've got them connected to simply the "Surround" output, not the alternative "Surround Back" outputs that are only used for 2nd Zone I believe.Have you properly set up the receiver as, indeed, having surrounds?

Have you properly set up the receiver as, indeed, having surrounds?

I think this issue is closed thanks to the advice of those who own Sony receivers and know they've set them up properly. Thanks to everyone for all the help.

Check the OSD. Almost all receivers will say "3/2.1". My Denon 3803 does.

My RCA receiver has pictures of speakers labled FR FL C RL RR and LFE that light up in variuos surround modes (its an older model)

Digital COAX (FR FL LFE only)
Optical (?) (I havent tried it)
RCA 6 channel Analog (all channels activate and light up)
Sat/Cable/TV/VCR ( FR FL LFE only)

3/2.1, 5.1 .... dame sifference. ;)

I would also suggest to change the cabling from the cable box to the receiver using a Toslink optical cable. I don't think the standard RCA cables will carry the 5.1 sound, just a stereo signal. Have I read your initial post incorrectly..."digital coax" or simply coax cables? Have you calibrated the speakers with an Avia disk?

I sure wish I had found this thread before spending two hours on the phone with Sony support. I complained that all my 5.1 BDs and DVDs only displayed 3/2.1. Not once did they suggest that they are one and the same.

The manual never said anything?

I haven't read my Onkyo's manual in a while, but I think it mentioned what 3/2.1 stood for.

Check the OSD. Almost all receivers will say "3/2.1". My Denon 3803 does.

Anthem AVM 20 v2 says 5.1 on front panel display and on OSD.

Google?
http://www.google.com/search?q=Sony+3%2F2.1&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1