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Xbox 360 sends only 2 channels for mp3s

post #1 of 20
8/11/08 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 
Alrite, I swear I searched the threads before posting this. I think this is a very old problem, and may be ppl have already solved it but here it is again.

Set up:
Xbox 360 ( first generatio, I got it the day it got released courtesy...winning a contest at cnet) connected to my onkyo 605, via optical for audio. Onkyo connected to Def tech pro600 series. 5.1 channel.

So the problem is when I select "Dolby Digital 5.1" in my audio settings under console settings on my xbox...and play any streaming audio...from my pc...the audio is player only on front two speakers.. ie stereo.

Everything else ie games etc work perfect, playing all 6 channels. only mp3s streamed from my pc have this issue.

The only way I can get around this is if I select "Digital Stereo" in the Console Settings, then mp3s are played on 5 channels, but everything is insipid, ie games and movies sound not so great as expected....compared to the dolby digital 5.1 setting.

So what can I do to make mp3s work on dolby digital 5.1 setting... any help is appreciated.
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post #2 of 20
8/11/08 at 8:07pm
I believe MP3s are stereo only. You should use Pro-Logic 2
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post #3 of 20
8/11/08 at 8:32pm
Almost all music is 2 channel. End of story.

Some players allow you to play over all the speakers but that's not necessarily desirable. Some music has been encoded to DD5.1 but that's rare.

Everything is working as it should, it's sending stereo source as stereo and 5.1 as 5.1.
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post #4 of 20
8/11/08 at 11:04pm
I set my Pioneer to Game mode when listening to 2 channel sources that don't use DPLII. It sends both channels to all speakers. Sounds great.
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post #5 of 20
8/12/08 at 3:00pm
I'd prefer the Xbox output 2 channel PCM stereo when playing MP3s but I can see how that would complicate things.

If it's really bothering you, switch the Xbox to stereo while you're listening to MP3s. It should give you better sound quality since it won't be reencoded to Dolb Digital.
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post #6 of 20
8/12/08 at 4:17pm
Thread Starter 
i know all mp3s are 2 channel but sending out 2 channel ..the receiver is able to send it out to 5 channel...but if i send out as dolby 5.1...receiver sends out only 2 channel...doesnt make much sense.

I dont have a pro logic 2 option in xbox 360 for some reason..only options i see is digital stereo, dolby 5.1 and dolby 5.1 with wma pro.

So switching back and forth for mp3s and game is out of question..since i dont want to change the settings everytime i use xbox. There should be some way to do it...

Also I cannot change the surround setting in the receiver if i send out as dolby 5.1 ... essentially leaving me with only one choice to listen to mp3s on 2 speakers..

Anybody had the same issues? and how do you deal with this?
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post #7 of 20
8/12/08 at 5:24pm
Set your 360 to output to Digital Stereo and then monkey around with your receiver settings. Worked great for me and my cheap ass pioneer 360 set up. I was actually amazed how good I ended up with it sounding.
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post #8 of 20
8/12/08 at 8:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hardrock_121 View Post

i know all mp3s are 2 channel but sending out 2 channel ..the receiver is able to send it out to 5 channel...but if i send out as dolby 5.1...receiver sends out only 2 channel...doesnt make much sense.

I dont have a pro logic 2 option in xbox 360 for some reason..only options i see is digital stereo, dolby 5.1 and dolby 5.1 with wma pro.

So switching back and forth for mp3s and game is out of question..since i dont want to change the settings everytime i use xbox. There should be some way to do it...

Also I cannot change the surround setting in the receiver if i send out as dolby 5.1 ... essentially leaving me with only one choice to listen to mp3s on 2 speakers..

Anybody had the same issues? and how do you deal with this?

Now it may seem like an hassel but if you can't set up an easier solution with your receiver, you just have to switch to Digital Stereo. My Logitech Z-5500 automatically adjust from DD5.1 to DD Pro Logic. And when using DDPLII the music does come through all the speakers. Now you just have to switch back to DD5.1 when you're ready to game. Trust me, you get used to it.
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post #9 of 20
8/12/08 at 8:47pm
He just needs to learn to use his Onkyo.

The onkyo can set a specific playing style for each signal for each input. For example, stereo on the CD input can be stereo, stereo on the Game/TV input can default to PLIIx movie. On yet another input it can be DTS:neo6
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post #10 of 20
8/12/08 at 10:57pm
the reason is you are sending stereo in 5.1 digital, so all the channels are already there, just 3.1 of them have no data. You need to send it to your reciever in 2 channel only so your reciever can matrix the sound to surround using Dolby pro logic if that what you really want.
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post #11 of 20
8/13/08 at 4:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zero the hero View Post

the reason is you are sending stereo in 5.1 digital, so all the channels are already there, just 3.1 of them have no data. You need to send it to your reciever in 2 channel only so your reciever can matrix the sound to surround using Dolby pro logic if that what you really want.

Careful doing this because you are changing the artist's intent which will make them cry
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post #12 of 20
8/13/08 at 6:27am
mp3s are sent out as 2 channels (front right and left) when you select 5.1 because the 360 mixes all of its audio together. So you can still have 5.1 audio from a game coming through your speakers, but the mp3 will only be coming out of the 2 front speakers.

Doesn't seem to make much sense when you are just playing mp3s, but when you think about it with regard to the entire system, it makes sense.
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post #13 of 20
8/13/08 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zero the hero View Post

the reason is you are sending stereo in 5.1 digital, so all the channels are already there, just 3.1 of them have no data. You need to send it to your reciever in 2 channel only so your reciever can matrix the sound to surround using Dolby pro logic if that what you really want.

3.1 wha????? My sub works fine during MP3's I play through the 360 so I get 2.1 and just missing 3.
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post #14 of 20
8/13/08 at 11:24am
lol yes but its not dedicated LFE - thats what the .1 is. THat's just your reciever crossover working and sending the low pass frequencies to your sub.
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post #15 of 20
8/13/08 at 11:29am
AWWWWWWWWWWW Crap
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post #16 of 20
8/20/08 at 10:42am
Direct Stream... FTW
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post #17 of 20
8/25/08 at 10:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zero the hero View Post

the reason is you are sending stereo in 5.1 digital, so all the channels are already there, just 3.1 of them have no data. You need to send it to your reciever in 2 channel only so your reciever can matrix the sound to surround using Dolby pro logic if that what you really want.

How do you send 2 channels only? And if you do, are you still sending 2-channel Dolby Digital? ie, re-encoded mp3's?
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post #18 of 20
8/25/08 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by fanerman View Post

How do you send 2 channels only? And if you do, are you still sending 2-channel Dolby Digital? ie, re-encoded mp3's?

Audio options. Set it to Stereo.

And no, it doesn't use Dolby Digital. It uses PCM for stereo.
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post #19 of 20
8/25/08 at 10:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shape View Post

Audio options. Set it to Stereo.

And no, it doesn't use Dolby Digital. It uses PCM for stereo.

It is using 5.1 Dolby Digital for mp3s, if you leave the setting at Dolby Digital, and only provides information to the left and right speakers (just a clarification.)
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post #20 of 20
8/25/08 at 10:51am
If you set the audio output to "Stereo" you get 2 channel uncompressed PCM.

If you set the audio output to "Dolby Digital" you get 5.1 channel bitstreamed compressed audio. If you play an mp3 in this mode, you will get Dolby Digital 5.1 bitstreamed compressed audio, but with 4 blank channels. Only the 2 main front channels will get any signal.

So if you are listening to music, it is better to set the audio output to Stereo. But remember to switch it back to DD for gaming.

When the Fall Update comes out, supposedly you will be able to access all of these options at any time via the guide button. Even when playing a game, apparently!
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