Sony Receiver (STRDE985) Audio Drop on Blu-Ray Optical?

pghflyer · 06-14-08, 11:13 PM

I have a STR-DE985 (6.1 DD & DTS) from May 2002 that I think had an MSRP of $399. It has optical and coaxial but no HDMI input. I have it connected via optical with my PS3 and was getting excessive drop-outs while I had it connected and doing Sony "Cinema Studio EX" processing. I switched to "Normal Surround" and things improved vastly but still getting drop-outs 3-5 times per film during intense moments in the soundtrack.

I have the PS3 set to Bitstream audio for DD and DTS 5.1. I didn't have this problem with my HD-A2 player, but I am guessing it is something to do with the increased audio coming from these HD discs.

I know I am in the minority on a forum like this, but I don't think 6 years is an unreasonable expectation for keeping a piece of equipment. Both are Sony products. The receiver is supposed to handle DTS and DD, and the PS3 is supposed to output these signals on Bitstream, so somewhere a Sony product isn't doing what it advertises.

Anyone have luck finding a solution?

Dathum · 06-14-08, 11:53 PM

I'm afraid there is not a solution other than getting a new receiver.

I have seen numerous other owners of this receiver with the same problem. When this receiver was built, there was only DD/DTS from DVD. It can handle that fine. The DD from Blu-Rays has a higher bitrate that this receiver cannot handle. So you might want to look into a new receiver.

As for why this didn't happen with the HD-A2, I believe HD-DVD had a slightly lower cap (504kbps) vs Blu-Ray (640kbps) for Dolby Digital.

pghflyer · 06-15-08, 12:55 PM

Thanks Dathum. After doing more searching on Sony's site, it appears they are not going to honor the product specs at all:

http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/m...1%200%20678695

dohspc · 09-07-08, 11:31 AM

I just noticed this too when I got my PS3 and got into blu rays. You know what makes this even more ridiculous reading Sony's KB document about how it was designed before blu rays? On a hunch I tried the optical on an older Sony STR-DE945 and it works flawlessly in 5.1 with no dropouts when watching the same blu ray on the PS3 in bitstream mode. I guess something with the way the 985 was designed then? Oh well I just use that one for a video game switcher now for my old consoles LOL.

06-14-08, 11:13 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
pghflyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 319	Sony Receiver (STRDE985) Audio Drop on Blu-Ray Optical? I have a STR-DE985 (6.1 DD & DTS) from May 2002 that I think had an MSRP of $399. It has optical and coaxial but no HDMI input. I have it connected via optical with my PS3 and was getting excessive drop-outs while I had it connected and doing Sony "Cinema Studio EX" processing. I switched to "Normal Surround" and things improved vastly but still getting drop-outs 3-5 times per film during intense moments in the soundtrack. I have the PS3 set to Bitstream audio for DD and DTS 5.1. I didn't have this problem with my HD-A2 player, but I am guessing it is something to do with the increased audio coming from these HD discs. I know I am in the minority on a forum like this, but I don't think 6 years is an unreasonable expectation for keeping a piece of equipment. Both are Sony products. The receiver is supposed to handle DTS and DD, and the PS3 is supposed to output these signals on Bitstream, so somewhere a Sony product isn't doing what it advertises. Anyone have luck finding a solution?

06-14-08, 11:53 PM	#2 \| Link
Dathum New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6	I'm afraid there is not a solution other than getting a new receiver. I have seen numerous other owners of this receiver with the same problem. When this receiver was built, there was only DD/DTS from DVD. It can handle that fine. The DD from Blu-Rays has a higher bitrate that this receiver cannot handle. So you might want to look into a new receiver. As for why this didn't happen with the HD-A2, I believe HD-DVD had a slightly lower cap (504kbps) vs Blu-Ray (640kbps) for Dolby Digital.

06-15-08, 12:55 PM	#3 \| Link
pghflyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 319	Thanks Dathum. After doing more searching on Sony's site, it appears they are not going to honor the product specs at all: http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/m...1%200%20678695

09-07-08, 11:31 AM	#4 \| Link
dohspc Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 38	I just noticed this too when I got my PS3 and got into blu rays. You know what makes this even more ridiculous reading Sony's KB document about how it was designed before blu rays? On a hunch I tried the optical on an older Sony STR-DE945 and it works flawlessly in 5.1 with no dropouts when watching the same blu ray on the PS3 in bitstream mode. I guess something with the way the 985 was designed then? Oh well I just use that one for a video game switcher now for my old consoles LOL.