Denon 3803 - No Surround from DTS-HD Blu-Ray Disc

This receiver, it's not HDMI?

If so, then when you select a DTS track, it's supposed to give you a DTS core track, which is part of the DTS-HD track.

I don't know why that would not work ok, and I don't own that disc yet, so I can't experiment with it, to see what happens with the optical feed.

Maybe the disc itself is odd in some way. Might want to use DD for now, and see if anyone else reports issues with this disc, when not using HDMI.

What happens with other Blu-rays that have dts-MA tracks? Or, if you play a DVD with a DTS track?

btw, most Blu-rays do not have English DD 5.1 tracks. A single dts-MA track meets the BD standard and that's how most discs are released.

Within the encoding of DTS Master Audio, one should be able to get the DTS core stream through either optical and/or coaxial..
Won't be loss-less but SD quality..

Just my $0.02...

Yes. But, the OP says he's not getting surround audio when playing Tron Legacy even though his receiver display says he's getting a DTS input. So, I am suggesting he try troubleshooting by playing another BD with dts-MA and a DVD with DTS to see whether the same thing happens.

It's not DTS-HD arriving at your receiver. It's just DTS, albeit at a higher bitrate than you get on DVD. But, if the 3803 can't handle the higher rate, the result would not be a lack of audio in the surrounds. I have a 3805 and it processes the DTS core tracks just fine.


That shouldn't make a difference with a bitstream output over optical. But, it doesn't hurt to give it a try.

Just joined this forum tonight. I watched Tron legacy 3D blu-ray tonight and had no subwoofer output. I use a Sony 3D blu ray player. The only movies I have had problems with are Step Up 3D and Tron Legacy 3D. The Denon doesn't recognize the DTS from the Step Up Blu Ray and goes to straight stereo.

Both of these movies have 7.1 DTS master audio and maybe the Denon doesn't decode it properly (Although Saw 3D has 7.1 master DTS and recognized it). I changed the the sound set up in Tron to Dolby Digital 2.0 and the Denon went to NEO mode (not good sound quality, but went to all channels) I called Denon with the Step Up movie and they had no explanation. I haven't called about the Tron movie. I have 12 other 3D Blu Rays and about 40 2D Blu Rays that encode fine.

I was thinking that I may have to get a new receiver since Denon has no updates. I've had this receiver repaired once since it blew two left channel surrounds.

If you find a way to get the receiver to read all channels, let me know....good luck!

Using analog out is not without potential issues either. No room correction (maybe your older receiver lacks it.) And more chances of bass management issues.

As for whether lossless will actually sound better, that's debatable.

So if I were you, I would not be too quick to spend more on a player with analog outputs. If I were you, I would put some money aside to save up for a new receiver, down the road. With all the latest features. But that's just one person's opinion.

You're the second one to report the exact same problem with a Sony player that was fixed by setting Mix to Off. As I noted earlier, the Mix setting should not cause that particular issue. That suggests the Sony players may not be re-encoding properly. But, since Mix only adds things like menu sound effects and audio for PIP commentaries, it's no big deal leaving it off.

As for using analog, this link to BigPictureBigSound will explain how it works and what you need to do.

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Ho..._And_Why.shtml

Here's the deal. All audio processing takes place in the digital domain, prior to the digital-analog conversion. So, with analog, bass management and distance adjustments have to be done in the player, not the receiver. Levels can, and should, be done in the AVR. But, that's all it will do. Make sure to apply the Ext. In. SW boost in the Denon since LFE arrives 10dB low when using analog, 15dB low when doing bass management in the player.

Room correction refers to advanced processing in newer receivers that adjust the sound to compensate for problems in the listening room. That also has to happen in the digital domain and players don't offer that feature. So, some people have to choose between lossless audio processed by the player and room correction with lossy tracks processed in the receiver. But, your older Denon doesn't do room correction. So, you wouldn't be losing that feature when using analog.

Analog will give you lossless audio. But, it may not be much better than the max bitrate lossy codecs that you get over optical. I use analog from a Panasonic player to a Denon 3805 for lossless tracks and digital for everything else. Analog sounds great. But, it's rarely better than the lossy tracks.

You have a 7.1 system? If so, with analog you will get true rear channel audio with discs that have 7.1 sound tracks. But, the vast majority of discs have 5.1 tracks and your rears will be silent with all of them when using analog*. Players cannot apply matrix processing to produce rear channels from 5.1 sources and your receiver's matrix processing cannot be applied to the external inputs. That's another function that has to be done prior to the digital-analog conversion.

*NOTE: Panasonic and Pioneer players with analog outputs expand 5.1 DTS sources on Blu-ray to 7.1. They do so by duplicating the surrounds to the rears.

I had a similar problem with my setup and had almost thrown in the towel, but after reading your issue and solution I tried out out! It's 5am and my issue is fixed!! THANKS!

3803 Folks,
I was looking for a 3803 for quite a while as a second receiver. I found one that seems in perfect shape for $200 about a year ago. Everything I've used on it so far works fine. However, this beast is supposed to have tons of power, this is where I'm a little confused. I have a few other old receivers for basement, garage, business, etc. A couple of Yamaha's, an old Onkyo (1980!) a JVC and a Techniques AMP. I use a Harmon Kardon AVR-254 as my home theater with Boston Acoustics all around and an Epik Valor sub. NONE of these other receivers come close on power rating...one of the Yammys has 80 watts I think. The rest are 35, 45, 50, 65 watts. None weigh as much eiter
So why doesn't the Denon seem to have much if any real power or headroom? The others all reach far more volume than I care to use. I expected this to drive the cones hard and clean. I don't listen loud, but I like moderately high levels time-to-time when I'm really listening or impressing myself with the music or equipment. This thing seems like a dog. (no offense to the pet!) I wanted to use to run outdoor speakers for summer use.
How can I tell if there is an issue with this? Is there a simple test I can do with some inexpensive equipment to measure current output or watts directly? Does it sound like there is a problem or do you really have to crank the knob to -10db to get it flowing?
Thanks folks. Sorry for bringing up the antique, but I like old stuff.