I'm new to the HDTV thing, but I am let down by the lack of 5.1 in the new fall shows for 2008.

The rear speakers are not used at all. :(

I watching all the poplular hdtv shows like Terminator, Heroes, ect. but they are still 2.0 audio, and yes my equipment is setup properly.


Where's a list of all the shows in 5.1 audio. I searched google and found nothing!


Only show I found was CSI NY which I heard discreet 5.1 Dolby Digital audio sound effects.

Here's the list:
- Every scripted network show broadcast in HD except Smallville

Keep in mind that many sitcoms are mixed with "surround sound" that is then upmixed by the broadcaster to DD5.1, but they are all fed by the networks in DD5.1.

What are talking about? I'm talking 5.1 not stereo. 5.1 with sound effects that go in each speaker separately.

"A multichannel sound technology that produces five channels of sound in the left, right, center, left surround and right surround positions. 5.1 systems also have 1 channel for LFE (low frequency effects) which is usually sent to a subwoofer."

Just what he said, most HD programming is 5.1. If you are only getting 2.0 it is either a local channel issue or a setup issue.

I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR if that helps.

Receiver shows Dolby Digtal, and the only show where I heard 5.1 sound effects like dvds was CSI NY.

I want to experience shows like HEROS and other shows like in dvd's.

Is there not enough bandwith for 5.1 audio for HDTV broadcasts?

I am watching Heros right now in Dolby Digital 5.1. Almost all HD channels have 5.1 sound. Who is your carrier? What connections are you using?

I just asking why my Surrounds are so quiet. All they do is matrix the front end.

The center, sub, and fronts work fine.

I have wideopenwest for cable, and everything is setup right. Picture is connected with HDMI cable, and audio is optical out to reciever that displays DOLBY DIGITAL.

You need to check the local topic for your area. As noted above, all most all scripted episodic network programs are 5.1. But, not all local stations pass 5.1 from the network.

All broadcast HD uses Dolby Digital, which can be anywhere from 1 channel to 6 channels. You will usually see either 2.0 or 5.1.

not all local stations pass 5.1 from the network.

Hmmm, I guess so. That sucks!

If these shows are not 5.1, it may be a local issue. Depending on the setup at your local affiliate, they may not be able to pass 5.1 from the network. This was the case with local CBS (WOIO) until last year. ALL programming, even network HD|5.1 programming was 2.0. Once the station upgraded, we now have 5.1 on CBS programming.

Nearly all Fox stations pass network 5.1. Fox also converts stereo material to 5.1.

Can you receive any over-the-air stations? If so, try watching a local network affiliate using an antenna and see what type of audio you get. You'll then be able to tell whether it's the broadcast station or the cable company that's losing the 5.1 information. You could also try connecting the cable directly to the TV and tuning the local affiliates to see what you get.

not all local stations pass 5.1 from the network.

Hmmm, I guess so. That sucks!

Welcome to the "My Locals Don't Pass 5.1" Club. I've been a charter member for years here in Jacksonville. Well, let me give credit to the local FOX station, they do have 5.1, but absoultely none of the others do.

I set my Denon to Dolby PLIIx and pretend it is "real" surround.

. Well, let me give credit to the local FOX station, they do have 5.1, but absoultely none of the others do..

The local FOX station has nothing to do with it. If any FOX affiliate passes the HD it comes along for the ride due to the usage of MPEG splicing.
The HD video and the 5.1 audio encoding are done at FOX TOC in LA, and can't be altered locally other than the insertion of a logo file done in the MPEG domain.

The local FOX station has nothing to do with it. If any FOX affiliate passes the HD it comes along for the ride due to the usage of MPEG splicing.IMO, an advantage of The Splicer.

IMO, an advantage of The Splicer.

Yes, and a more consistent video overall (given the same program source) nationwide as video encoding is taken away from the affiliates and kept under network control.

I really want 5.1, instead I get 3.1 with the center having most of the audio.

I wonder what HDTV programming is like with 5.1. :(


I'm in chicago, how can I not get local 5.1 audio?

I really want 5.1, instead I get 3.1 with the center having most of the audio.

I wonder what HDTV programming is like with 5.1. :(


I'm in chicago, how can I not get local 5.1 audio?

Which TV station is the issue ?

I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR if that helps.Do you have an HDMI cable going to your HDTV from the 8300, as well as an optical cable going from the 8300 to your receiver?

And if so, does your HDTV support DD5.1? Most don't.

The SA8300 is built so that it shuts down DD5.1 delivered over optical to the receiver if the HDTV on the HDMI connection does not support DD5.1.

Solution: change video cables from 8300 to the HDTV, and get an HDMI-to-DVI cable (hopefully your HDTV supports a DVI connection). That will eliminate the audio problem on the HDMI connection, and you'll get DD5.1 out of the optical (assuming of course that you've entered the Settings of the 8300 and specified you want DD5.1 out).

If the HDTV does not have a DVI connection, you can use two cables (HDMI-to-DVI, DVI-to-HDMI, and an adapter between the two to accept two male DVI connections) to connect the 8300 to the HDTV via HDMI but eliminate audio. That will accomplish the same thing, and the 8300 will put out DD5.1 on the optical.

Or, connect the 8300 to the HDTV via component video if that's available and won't result in a drop in video quality that's unacceptable.

Do you have an HDMI cable going to your HDTV from the 8300, as well as an optical cable going from the 8300 to your receiver?

And if so, does your HDTV support DD5.1? Most don't.

The SA8300 is built so that it shuts down DD5.1 delivered over optical to the receiver if the HDTV on the HDMI connection does not support DD5.1.

Solution: change video cables from 8300 to the HDTV, and get an HDMI-to-DVI cable (hopefully your HDTV supports a DVI connection). That will eliminate the audio problem on the HDMI connection, and you'll get DD5.1 out of the optical (assuming of course that you've entered the Settings of the 8300 and specified you want DD5.1 out).

If the HDTV does not have a DVI connection, you can use two cables (HDMI-to-DVI, DVI-to-HDMI, and an adapter between the two to accept two male DVI connections) to connect the 8300 to the HDTV via HDMI but eliminate audio. That will accomplish the same thing, and the 8300 will put out DD5.1 on the optical.

Or, connect the 8300 to the HDTV via component video if that's available and won't result in a drop in video quality that's unacceptable.

Nice answer. As far as alternatives go, I receive noticably better picture quality with component than I do with HDMI.

I really want 5.1, instead I get 3.1 with the center having most of the audio.

You have something wrong with your setup. I'm surprised that no one else has noticed/mentioned it.

Even you don't get true DD5.1 and are only getting DD2.0 from your local affiliates, you will still get surround sound, i.e., Dolby Pro Logic II Surround.

The two DD5.1 surround channels are folded into a mono rear channel and "encoded" into the stereo audio, i.e., Dolby Pro Logic II. (DD2.0)

The fact that you hear nothing tells me that you do not have Dolby Pro Logic enabled correctly on your receiver.

While DD5.1 would indeed be better, since you'll have stereo rear channels, you should at least be hearing lots of rear mono sound.

Except that the OP said he had 5.1 on at least one show - CSI NY. The receiver shows Dolby Digital which means the AC3 encoded stream is reaching it, not decoded PCM. I assume the cable company passes the station AC3 without modification but who knows? I would try FOX NFL to see if the rear channels are there.

Except that the OP said he had 5.1 on at least one show - CSI NY. The receiver shows Dolby Digital which means the AC3 encoded stream is reaching it, not decoded PCM. I assume the cable company passes the station AC3 without modification but who knows? I would try FOX NFL to see if the rear channels are there.

All fine and dandy. Depending on the receiver, if you get DD2.0, it can be set to NOT go into Dolby Prologic Surround decode mode. If that is the case, then nothing will come out the rear

That is why I still think it is a user setting.

As for tuning in Fox, anything during primetime should cause the receiver to indicate that it is getting DD5.1. One does not have to wait for football. Get the receiver to indicate that it is even getting 5.1.

And yet, the OP has still not contributed anything confirming the rest of his setup, beyond the presence of an SA8300 DVR which is significant because of its known issue of shutting down true DD5.1 delivered over optical to the receiver if the HDMI path is used to connect to an HDTV which declines the ability to receive DD5.1.

So even though the rest of the audio setup (equipment and settings) might also be relevant, non-delivery of DD5.1 over optical by the SA8300 is certainly a strong possibility if an HDMI cable is also being used to most HDTVs, resulting in the delivery of DD2.0... I believe.

DD2.0 could also be shown as "Dolby Digital" on the receiver, no?

TheGreatKhali OP... are you still there?

SA boxes have an "Audio: Digital Out" option in the Settings menu, at least with SARA. There should be 3 options: Other (aka PCM stereo), Dolby Digital, and HDMI. Dolby Digital will force the box to send DD via optical/coax, while HDMI will autonegotiate with the TV to determine what to send: DD will be sent if supported; otherwise, a downmix to PCM stereo. There's no way for the box to re-encode the audio to DD2.0 so any downmix will come through as straight PCM stereo, with the receiver having the option to apply additional processing such as ProLogic.

I have it connected hdmi to tv, and optical to onkyo 605 receiver, and still no discreet sounds in 5.1 dolby digital sound even it says dolby digital. My HDTV has optical out as well!

I wish I could hear 5.1 sound effects like for dvd movies for my TV programming.


<--- This GreatKhali

I wish I could hear 5.1 sound effects like for dvd movies for my TV programming.

Did you follow the suggestion above and check the audio output setting of your player?

yes, CBS has this show is presented in 5.1 audio. That's why I hear 5.1 in CBS programming.

Why dont other networks follow CBS?

yes, CBS has this show is presented in 5.1 audio. That's why I hear 5.1 in CBS programming.

Why dont other networks follow CBS?

What makes you think that ABC/NBC/FOX/CW are not doing DD5.1?

All of ABC programs are in DD5.1. I believe all of NBC programs are as well, for sure the scripted dramas are. All Fox programs are in DD5.1 and all of CW's scripted dramas (except Smallville) are in DD5.1.

What the network does and what your local affiliate does are two different things.

I have it connected hdmi to tv, and optical to onkyo 605 receiver, and still no discreet sounds in 5.1 dolby digital sound even it says dolby digital.Just for grins, have you tried connecting the SA8300 to your HDTV using component video... just to see if you now get true DD5.1 audio out of your receiver?

Again, this is to eliminate as the culprit the odd handling of DD audio (DD5.1 vs. PCM 2.0 delivered over optical, even if Setup specifies Dolby Digital) if the HDMI-connected device cannot accept DD5.1. Using a component video connection will absolutely eliminate that as your problem.

But if that works, I recommend using the HDMI->DVI->HDMI cable trick that I mentioned earlier.

If it makes no difference then you can eliminate this theory completely.

I'm expecting to hear gunshots, or sound effects in my rear back speakers for shows like heroes, or prison break when my reciever says DOLBY DIGITAL for HDTV programming.

Other sources work fine, like dvd player, and game consoles. I can hear Discrete 5.1 sound effects fine.

Perhaps you need to adjust your speaker levels? I need to boost the surrounds by 7dB on some channels to get effects at the same level as the other speakers.

I noticed Smallville is not in 5.1, but Supernatural is on KTLA 5.1 in Los Angeles. What's up with that? :(

I noticed Smallville is not in 5.1, but Supernatural is on KTLA 5.1 in Los Angeles. What's up with that? :(

You'll have to ask The CW, the production company (Warner Bros.) and the show runners why that is so.

They've released the series on DVD/Blu-ray with a DD5.1 soundtrack, so it has been mixed. I've never read/heard why the TV airing is DD2.0.

... But if that works, I recommend using the HDMI->DVI->HDMI cable trick that I mentioned earlier. ...
Side-bar: Have you seen the HDMI-DVI-HDMI solution work in real application? Because the two connectors carry the same Tx-Rx lines -- then just putting a DVI connector in there should not even register to the source/sink devices. I understand implementing an active DVI device or moving to a DVI input would work in this manner, instructing the source of no audio-sink capability.

Not meaning to resurrect the dead per se, but the OP (D-I-G-I-T-A-L formerly known as TheGreatKhali) re-posted the question in the SARA thread.

v/r,
C-F

I'm expecting to hear gunshots, or sound effects in my rear back speakers for shows like heroes, or prison break when my reciever says DOLBY DIGITAL for HDTV programming.

Other sources work fine, like dvd player, and game consoles. I can hear Discrete 5.1 sound effects fine.

I'm new here and I somehow had a very similar experience. I was watching the HDTV shows (http://x264-bb.com) on x264-bb.com though. Were you watching it on TV and surround sound system? I got a pretty expensive speaker system for my PC and hoping to hear better quality, but still not as I was expected. Do you guys have any recommendation on which PC speaker sets are the best for HD movies?