I am currently reading the forums to learn about AVR before purchasing a system for music, movies (DVD) and tv (Directv). I want a 5.1 receiver and start with 3 speakers (L, R, C).

How does Directv broadcast audio? I believe they broadcast in stereo. Is it like movies where the dialog goes thru the center channel? If not, what does the center channel do?

HD channels can do 5.1 if available. There is a lot of stereo out there as well. for stereo, usually you'd use PLII or the like on your receiver to derive a center channel, surrounds etc if applicable. Just like anything else like DVD, etc.

I am currently reading the forums to learn about AVR before purchasing a system for music, movies (DVD) and tv (Directv). I want a 5.1 receiver and start with 3 speakers (L, R, C).

How does Directv broadcast audio? I believe they broadcast in stereo. Is it like movies where the dialog goes thru the center channel? If not, what does the center channel do?

Standard definition programs are broadcast in 2-channel (L & R) PCM, just like CD.

High defintion programs are broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1 (lossy codec), just like standard DVDs.

When watching hi def tv is there suppose to be much sound from your rear speakers? I just hooked up a 5.1 and not much sound from the rear.

When watching hi def tv is there suppose to be much sound from your rear speakers? I just hooked up a 5.1 and not much sound from the rear.

Do you have a "digital hook up" between the set top box and the receiver? Are you watching in Dolby Digital 5.1? If you're receiving two channel, use Dolby PLII. This takes a two channel signal and makes it five.
"not much sound from the rear".......do you ever get sound from the rear's.
Are you getting surround info or "not much sound"?

Standard definition programs are broadcast in 2-channel (L & R) PCM, just like CD.

High defintion programs are broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1 (lossy codec), just like standard DVDs. Some clarifications: There's no PCM broadcast on any satellite, cable, or OTA channels. It's always compressed, either AC-3 (Dolby Digital), MPEG audio, or Dolby Digital Plus. It is usually decoded in the set-top-box and comes out the S/PDIF in 48 kHz PCM, sorta like CD audio.

In the ATSC DTV format, both HD and SD programs can have stereo or 5.1 DD audio. Same is true for DirecTV and DISH programs.

Some clarifications: There's no PCM broadcast on any satellite, cable, or OTA channels. It's always compressed, either AC-3 (Dolby Digital), MPEG audio, or Dolby Digital Plus. It is usually decoded in the set-top-box and comes out the S/PDIF in 48 kHz PCM, sorta like CD audio.

In the ATSC DTV format, both HD and SD programs can have stereo or 5.1 DD audio. Same is true for DirecTV and DISH programs.

Roger,

Let's clarify your clarifications. :)

I have the very latest DirecTv HD DVR (HD22?). It is connected to my Onkyo TX-SR706 via HDMI.

First clarification: The HD DVR does NOT decode DD to pcm for hi-def channels. When DD is selected in the setup menu of the DVR, it outputs DD as bitstream to the Onkyo for decoding. It is either 5.1 or 2.0 as indicated on the front panel of the Onkyo.

Second clarification: The HD DVR OUTPUTS 2-channel pcm for ALL standard definition programs. Again, this is as indicated on the front panel of the Onkyo. I recognize that it is not TRANSMITTED as 2-channel pcm, but that is what comes out of the HD DVR.

I know all this to be true as I just set up the box this past Saturday after DirecTv replaced it due to a faulty hard drive.

Do you have a "digital hook up" between the set top box and the receiver? Are you watching in Dolby Digital 5.1? If you're receiving two channel, use Dolby PLII. This takes a two channel signal and makes it five.
"not much sound from the rear".......do you ever get sound from the rear's.
Are you getting surround info or "not much sound"?

I used hdmi for the hook up between the box and reciever. i switched through the programs and im using it on 7 channel enhancer. i just hooked the system up over the weekend and im really clueless. im getting sounds from the rear but its very little. I have to put my ear all the way up to the speaker to see if its on while the fronts are loud.

Roger, Let's clarify your clarifications. First clarification: The HD DVR does NOT decode DD to pcm for hi-def channels. Of course! If you select bitstream output, then it delivers a DD bitstream from the S/PDIF. I never said it could not do so. And if you want PCM out, then it will decode the DD into PCM--even for the 5.1 DD carried in hi-def channels.

When DD is selected in the setup menu of the DVR, it outputs DD as bitstream to the Onkyo for decoding. It is either 5.1 or 2.0 as indicated on the front panel of the Onkyo.Thanks for acknowleding that 2-ch DD is also possible. That was my point.

I recognize that it is not TRANSMITTED as 2-channel pcm Thanks. That was my point.

The HD DVR OUTPUTS 2-channel pcm for ALL standard definition programs. What comes out of your particular DVR does not necessarily represent the entire scope of DirecTV's broadcast capabilities and practices. Those 2-ch soundtracks that do not come out in DD2.0 are being transmitted in DD+2.0. The DVR can convert DD+5.1 into DD5.1, but it cannot convert DD+2.0 into DD2.0, nor does it need to do so since it can output them as PCM directly.

Whether DirecTV has totally ceased transmitting DD2.0 with SD cannot be deduced by what comes out your DVR. It may well be their standard practice going forward, however, as it improves compression efficiency. There's no physical barrier to them using DD2.0 with SD, however, should they occasionally decide to do so.

Of course! If you select bitstream output, then it delivers a DD bitstream from the S/PDIF. I never said it could not do so. And if you want PCM out, then it will decode the DD into PCM--even for the 5.1 DD carried in hi-def channels.

Roger, I have a brand new HR22 DVR which replaced an HR21 DVR. I just went down and verified my settings. They are the same as what I had on the HR 21.

In the Audio Options menu, you can turn Dolby Digital "ON" or "OFF." That is it. No selection for bitstream or pcm output.

While watching an HD channel in DD, with DD turned "ON", the DVR outputs DD 5.1 or 2.0 bitstream as indicated by my AVR.

If I turn DD "OFF" while watching an HD program that is broadcast in DD 5.1 or 2.0, the DVR outputs 2-channel PCM as indicated by my AVR.

While watching an SD program with DD turned "ON", the DVR outputs 2-channel PCM as indicated by my AVR.

Thanks for acknowleding that 2-ch DD is also possible. That was my point.

I only see 2-channel DD when DD is turned "ON" and the HD program is being broadcast in DD 2.0. Otherwise, see my comments above.

Thanks. That was my point.

Uh, Ok.

What comes out of your particular DVR does not necessarily represent the entire scope of DirecTV's broadcast capabilities and practices. Those 2-ch soundtracks that do not come out in DD2.0 are being transmitted in DD+2.0. The DVR can convert DD+5.1 into DD5.1, but it cannot convert DD+2.0 into DD2.0, nor does it need to do so since it can output them as PCM directly.

I have no idea what you are trying to say here.

Whether DirecTV has totally ceased transmitting DD2.0 with SD cannot be deduced by what comes out your DVR. It may well be their standard practice going forward, however, as it improves compression efficiency. There's no physical barrier to them using DD2.0 with SD, however, should they occasionally decide to do so.

I have had DirecTv HD service for about a year now and I have never seen an SD channel output anything but 2-channel PCM whether DD is turned on or off.

In the Audio Options menu, you can turn Dolby Digital "ON" or "OFF." That is it. No selection for bitstream or pcm output. While watching an HD channel in DD, with DD turned "ON", the DVR outputs DD 5.1 or 2.0 bitstream as indicated by my AVR. If I turn DD "OFF" while watching an HD program that is broadcast in DD 5.1 or 2.0, the DVR outputs 2-channel PCM as indicated by my AVR. While watching an SD program with DD turned "ON", the DVR outputs 2-channel PCM as indicated by my AVR. Yes, correct. Thanks for confirming my statement.
I only see 2-channel DD when DD is turned "ON" and the HD program is being broadcast in DD 2.0. Of course.

I have had DirecTV HD service for about a year now and I have never seen an SD channel output anything but 2-channel PCM whether DD is turned on or off. I have had DirecTV since before it was launched to consumers. I was a beta tester. I’m familiar with DirecTV. I helped Dolby develop DD and DD+, so I know about their codecs.
It may well be true that you have never seen, or may never see again in future, an SD program carry a 2-ch DD stream. We cannot know it will never happen unless DirecTV chooses to declare it so. Technically, it is possible for DirecTV to broadcast 2-ch or 5.1-ch DD or DD+ with either SD or HD video. That’s all I’m asserting.

Yes, correct. Thanks for confirming my statement.

Of course.

I have had DirecTV since before it was launched to consumers. I was a beta tester. I’m familiar with DirecTV. I helped Dolby develop DD and DD+, so I know about their codecs.
It may well be true that you have never seen, or may never see again in future, an SD program carry a 2-ch DD stream. We cannot know it will never happen unless DirecTV chooses to declare it so. Technically, it is possible for DirecTV to broadcast 2-ch or 5.1-ch DD or DD+ with either SD or HD video. That’s all I’m asserting.

Roger, I know who you are and I have no visions of winning a technical argument with you, nor would I even try. I was merely responding to a simple question by the OP (which I believe both ChrisWiggles and I answered) and describe to you what my HD DVR was doing. I truely have no idea what it is you are trying to prove, nor at this point do I care anymore.

Have a good evening.