Hey everyone...
I have a Sony DVD player (DVP-NS75H) and a yamaha receiver with a 5.1 setup...
I have the DVD player hooked up with optical for sound and component for video...

The receiver has a "diagram" on the display that shows what kind of sound it is getting -> there are lights for each of the audio channels that light up if the receiver is receiving audio for that channel (i.e. Analog Left and Right vs. full 5.1)

When watching my DirecTV, also hooked up the same way, the diagram shows that the receiver is getting audio for each of the channels (5.1 - all of the "audio channel lights" are lit)
When watching a DVD, the diagram only shows that it is getting audio for the left and right channel.... (only the lights for L and R are lit)

It seams as if I am not receiving 5.1 surround from my DVD player...
What could be wrong?


I hope I have been clear enough....
Thanks!!

I have made two pictures to show what I mean by the "audio channel" lights....
I have no idea what to call them.....
They are located at the bottom right of the screen, right under the volume level...

This is what it looks like when watching DirecTV:
136631

This is what it looks like when watching a DVD:
136632

Probably user error. Have you enabled Dolby Digital &/or DTS output in the configuration menu of the DVD player? The default may be PCM output, which will be limited to 2.0 channel.

AJ

Probably user error. Have you enabled Dolby Digital &/or DTS output in the configuration menu of the DVD player? The default may be PCM output, which will be limited to 2.0 channel.

AJ

How would I do that?
The manual for the DVD player is not that detailed...

In the audio menu of the DVD player, there should be a choice for "PCM" and a choice for "bitstream" outputs. You want bitstream. Your manual might call it something else, but it should be there.

In addition, for DTS some players need that enabled as well, although I think that's mostly older players.

Also, you want to select the Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 track in the DVD's menu (the disc itself, usually under languages or setup or audio or something like that.) Some discs don't have 5.1 as the default.

If your components aren't lemons, those should get you what you want.

Got it fixed :) There were options in the DVD's players setup menu for Dolby Digital, etc...

However, there are a couple of options in the Audio setup that I don't know what to set to.
Here is what the Audio menu looks like:

--------------
Audio ATT: OFF ---> ?????
Audio DRC: Standard
Audio Filter: Sharp
Downmix: Dolby Surround
Digital Out: ON
Dolby Digital: Dolby Digital
DTS: ON
48kHz/96kHz PCM: 48kHz/16bit --> ???????

----------
I am confused about the last option.... What does it mean/do?
There are options for:
48kHZ/16bit and 96kHz/24bit
which one should I set it to?


Thanks everyone for helping me fix my problem!
I'm watching the Bourne Ultimatum tonight :D

96kHz/24bit for best quality. ATT is probably something related to dynamic range compression, leave it off. Also set Downmix to Off.

96kHz/24bit for best quality. ATT is probably something related to dynamic range compression, leave it off. Also set Downmix to Off.
Thanks... will do that...
What does the downmix do?

Reduces it to Dolby Surround, which is a lower channel count (4.1, I think.) It's for use with older receivers. Leave it off, since yours can handle 5.1.

Reduces it to Dolby Surround, which is a lower channel count (4.1, I think.) It's for use with older receivers. Leave it off, since yours can handle 5.1.
cool...will do.

You should also disable Audio DRC. DRC is Dynamic Range Compression. It's used to lower background sounds so dialog is more understandable when watching at low volume levels.

You should also disable Audio DRC. DRC is Dynamic Range Compression. It's used to lower background sounds so dialog is more understandable when watching at low volume levels.
For DRC it has options for "Standard" "TV Mode" and "Wide Range"
I have also set the Downmix to "Normal" and set the option for "96kHz/24bit"

Your receiver should already have its own DRC settings. When you bitstream DD or DTS to your receiver, those DRC settings on the player should not apply and best leave them off.

I'm only guessing, but I would set the DRC at wide range. Probably best to try all three settings and see which allows the the greatest dynamic range.

I'm only guessing, but I would set the DRC at wide range. Probably best to try all three settings and see which allows the the greatest dynamic range.
Either way, the sound is 100X better than it was before...
I would be happy with sound half as good as it is now..