Not sure if this is the correct place for this....

What do I need to do to get 5.1 surround from the antennae to my speakers?
Mainly getting the dialogue from only the center channel rather than all speakers.

Panasonic TH-C50HD18 Plasma
Onkyo TX-SR606

What do I need to do to get 5.1 surround from the antennae to my speakers?
Mainly getting the dialogue from only the center channel rather than all speakers.

Are you using the tuner in your TV? If so, it looks like there's a digital optical out connection on the back of your TV set. You need to connect that to one of the optical inputs on your receiver, assign that to an input, and select that input on your receiver. You should then get Dolby Digital audio (5.1, if your local broadcasters provide it; not all do).

Are you using the tuner in your TV? If so, it looks like there's a digital optical out connection on the back of your TV set. You need to connect that to one of the optical inputs on your receiver, assign that to an input, and select that input on your receiver. You should then get Dolby Digital audio (5.1, if your local broadcasters provide it; not all do).
Yea... I'm using the TV tuner.

I thought the TV only outputs stereo?

Yea... I'm using the TV tuner.

I thought the TV only outputs stereo?

Did you read the manual? It says, on page 43, and I quote:

DIGITAL AUDIO OUT terminals
You can enjoy your home theater by connecting a Dolby Digital (5.1 channel) decoder and “Multi Channel” amplifier to the DIGITAL AUDIO OUT terminals.

So yes, you'll get up to 5.1 channels that way. Keep in mind that this is only guaranteed to apply to material pulled in via the OTA digital tuner - if you connect a DVD or BD player via HDMI to your TV, it will likely strip it down to DD 2.0. The documentation doesn't say this, but it's a pretty common "feature".

Did you read the manual? It says, on page 43, and I quote:



So yes, you'll get up to 5.1 channels that way. Keep in mind that this is only guaranteed to apply to material pulled in via the OTA digital tuner - if you connect a DVD or BD player via HDMI to your TV, it will likely strip it down to DD 2.0. The documentation doesn't say this, but it's a pretty common "feature".
I've read most of the manual but it's much easier to understand when someone points out what need to know:p

Thanks!:D

I'm using HDMI from the TV to the Onkyo, so the optical will override that?

I'll give it a try tonight, CBS usually has some 5.1 programming. Just gotta find out if KOIN is broadcasting 5.1.

I'm using HDMI from the TV to the Onkyo, so the optical will override that?

Er, "override" what? The two are going in completely different directions; the HDMI is an input from the receiver to the TV, and the optical is an output from the TV to the receiver. Just put the receiver on whatever input you associate the digital in you connect the TV to, and it should "just work".

I'll give it a try tonight, CBS usually has some 5.1 programming. Just gotta find out if KOIN is broadcasting 5.1.

You'll find out pretty quickly; your Onkyo will indicate the channel configuration when you press the Display button on its remote. Depending on how you have the audio modes mapped for that input, 2 channel will either be just direct mapped as stereo, or it'll be processed via PLII(x).

Er, "override" what? The two are going in completely different directions; the HDMI is an input from the receiver to the TV, and the optical is an output from the TV to the receiver. Just put the receiver on whatever input you associate the digital in you connect the TV to, and it should "just work".



You'll find out pretty quickly; your Onkyo will indicate the channel configuration when you press the Display button on its remote. Depending on how you have the audio modes mapped for that input, 2 channel will either be just direct mapped as stereo, or it'll be processed via PLII(x).
Does my newbiness show?:o:p

Everything is reconnected and Criminal Minds just started........ Soooooo much better!!!!!!


Thanks for your help!:)

Most of the main networks broadcast primetime shows (CSI, law and order, it crowd etc.) in HD and 5.1.

NBC&FOX (ABC?) upconvert stereo to 5.1, right?

I'll give it a try tonight, CBS usually has some 5.1 programming. Just gotta find out if KOIN is broadcasting 5.1.

They are. Your SR606 will say "Dolby D". Hit the display button and it will say 5.1. I prefer the receivers that have L/C/R/Rl/Rr/S lights to tell you what format you're receiving.

Associating inputs can be confusing with this receiver if you have a lot of inputs. Since inputs are reassignable, you can get confused when the input labeled "TV" doesn't work because you forgot you reassigned "GAME" for the TV input.

NBC&FOX (ABC?) upconvert stereo to 5.1, right?

Some networks upconvert audio, but they also have a lot of native 5.1.

They are. Your SR606 will say "Dolby D". Hit the display button and it will say 5.1. I prefer the receivers that have L/C/R/Rl/Rr/S lights to tell you what format you're receiving.

Associating inputs can be confusing with this receiver if you have a lot of inputs. Since inputs are reassignable, you can get confused when the input labeled "TV" doesn't work because you forgot you reassigned "GAME" for the TV input.
Yea did that already:o...

I've had this set up for maybe a couple months; slowly getting things dialed in:)