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Dolby Digital Plus and Netflix on Various AVRs

167K views 694 replies 184 participants last post by  afrogt 
#1 ·
Hey guys, hope everyone is well!



I have a problem with DD+ and Netflix on both my PS3 and my Chromecast. It seems as though when Dolby Digital + is selected on seemingly any show/movie that supports 5.1 I get audio clipping in the center channel. This happens with Audyssey on/off, Dynamic volume on/off...none of these seem to matter. Even when I force it to stereo I still hear the clipping. I've seen at least 2 other complaints from people on different devices on the internet, one being a Roku.


Here's the thing, if I disable DD+ on the PS3 then it will revert to regular DD 5.1 and it sounds terrific. Also when I force Netflix to stream in Stereo there is no distortion. Is my Denon 591 having issues decoding the DD+? Every other sound format seems to work great, including TrueHD and DTS HD, etc....


Anyone else experience this? I can't really seem to find any other source to test this with or test file that bitstreams DD+ so my receiver can decode it. I'm tempted to buy a movie on Vudu because I believe the HDX does DD+.


Thanks guys!
 
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#6 ·
New AVR E300 here, same problem. Not sure that it's only in the center channel, but it is terrible. I had a long conversation with Denon today who said they were going to try to recreate the situation in their lab and get back to me. I encourage everyone who is having this problem to call in and create a ticket! This is some glitch in Denon's DD+ processing and we need a fix!


Edit: Contact info - Denon Support 201-762-6665
 
#7 ·
Interesting thread. I have had a 1611 for a few years now and I cant say I have ever noticed clipping from the center using netflix DD+ streamed from my ps3. I cant say i ever really looked for it either. my 1611 is set up as my bedroom system and I rarely have the volume very loud. I'm gonna have to check this out later this morning when I get home.
 
#8 ·
Easiest place to spot it in my little experience has been the opening title of The Nightmare Before Christmas - easy to get to, don't have to wait long. Right when the title shows on screen you should hear something sounding choppy or garbled. Could be that the 11s are spared this, but who knows. I know people are having problems with the 13 series.
 
#9 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by spiffae  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591/0_100#post_23890653


Easiest place to spot it in my little experience has been the opening title of The Nightmare Before Christmas - easy to get to, don't have to wait long. Right when the title shows on screen you should hear something sounding choppy or garbled. Could be that the 11s are spared this, but who knows. I know people are having problems with the 13 series.

Thanks for the tip, I will check nightmare before christmas when I get home.
 
#10 ·
I'm glad other's are seeing this issue as well. I thought for sure I was going crazy. I don't know how long DD+ will be supported, but with Netflix streaming in it this should definitely be fixed. I've only worked around it on my PS3 by disabling the DD+ as it then reverts to regular DD5.1 and sounds fantastic.


It's truly unbearable to listen to and very noticeable in any programming with 5.1 sound on Netflix.
 
#11 ·
Ok I played the first 5 minutes of nightmare before Christmas streaming on netflix via my ps3. My 1611's volume was set at -18 and I am about 8 ft from the speakers. I did not hear any clicks, pops, clipping or any other artifacts in the audio stream.
 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67jason  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591#post_23891669


Ok I played the first 5 minutes of nightmare before Christmas streaming on netflix via my ps3. My 1611's volume was set at -18 and I am about 8 ft from the speakers. I did not hear any clicks, pops, clipping or any other artifacts in the audio stream.

Thanks for testing 67Jason..maybe the 11's aren't affected? What would be the difference between these receivers?
 
#13 ·
The 591 and 1611 are "sister" avr's, so I'm not entirely sure what component or processing part would be different between them. I am also wondering if your issue is a netflix or isp issue rather then a denon processing issue.
 
#14 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67jason  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591#post_23891754


The 591 and 1611 are "sister" avr's, so I'm not entirely sure what component or processing part would be different between them. I am also wondering if your issue is a netflix or isp issue rather then a denon processing issue.

I've tried on 2 different devices with Netflix and have had the same results. Now ISPs i'm unable to test, but I can't see how my internet access could cause this. It's not stuttering per say, or loosing audio...it's definitely garbling it though.
 
#15 ·
I was just throwing the ideas out there that it could be something other then the denon. It would be interesting to see what denon says about this. Spiffae, did denon give you an eta regarding their test?
 
#16 ·
They said 2-3 days, wanted my exact model number and what devices I was streaming with.


A couple other places reporting the same thing: http://digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=156135
http://digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=156135


I actually CAN test ISPs - I'll try tethering my 4G signal vs. Verizon FiOS, but I doubt that's it. I've also streamed through Chromecast, WD TV, and Xbox connected via optical audio - the HDMI passthrough devices give poor sound, and the Xbox optical just sends PCM multichannel and sounds fine. Frustrating!
 
#17 ·
I don't know you all are hearing the same sound as me?I'm not sure what clipping sounds like exactly.


Using Netflix from a Chromecast to a Denon AVR789. Certain sounds like a S's and F's sound harsh or distorted. I've noticed it in early Breaking Bad and Fringe episodes. I've been trying to figure out if it's just a bad audio encoding or if it was the Chromecast doing it when I stumbled on these messages. I think I noticed it through a WD TV Live as well, but that may have been wishful thinking to convince myself it's not the Chromecast's fault.


Does this sound like what you all are seeing? I have an Onkyo 414 in my basement I may hook the Chromecast to and test it with that now, but I really don't want to replace the Denon as my main AV receiver since it has dynamic volume and the Onkyo doesn't.


Thanks!
 
#18 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by paganhobbit  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591#post_23894860


I don't know you all are hearing the same sound as me?I'm not sure what clipping sounds like exactly.


Using Netflix from a Chromecast to a Denon AVR789. Certain sounds like a S's and F's sound harsh or distorted. I've noticed it in early Breaking Bad and Fringe episodes. I've been trying to figure out if it's just a bad audio encoding or if it was the Chromecast doing it when I stumbled on these messages. I think I noticed it through a WD TV Live as well, but that may have been wishful thinking to convince myself it's not the Chromecast's fault.


Does this sound like what you all are seeing? I have an Onkyo 414 in my basement I may hook the Chromecast to and test it with that now, but I really don't want to replace the Denon as my main AV receiver since it has dynamic volume and the Onkyo doesn't.


Thanks!

Yes, S and F sound especially garbled and harsh. I'm thinking depending on what kind of speakers we are running it will sound a bit different. It happens mostly on voices in the center channel, but if forced to stereo I've heard it on the other speakers as well. Watch the beginning of Thor and the dialog there will seem really harsh as well.
 
#19 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by paganhobbit  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591/0_100#post_23894860


I don't know you all are hearing the same sound as me?I'm not sure what clipping sounds like exactly.


Using Netflix from a Chromecast to a Denon AVR789. Certain sounds like a S's and F's sound harsh or distorted. I've noticed it in early Breaking Bad and Fringe episodes. I've been trying to figure out if it's just a bad audio encoding or if it was the Chromecast doing it when I stumbled on these messages. I think I noticed it through a WD TV Live as well, but that may have been wishful thinking to convince myself it's not the Chromecast's fault.


Does this sound like what you all are seeing? I have an Onkyo 414 in my basement I may hook the Chromecast to and test it with that now, but I really don't want to replace the Denon as my main AV receiver since it has dynamic volume and the Onkyo doesn't.


Thanks!

It sounds to me like you are describing sibilance. I notice a fair amount of sibilance from SD content from Netflix (recently i re-watched the entire series of Star Trek DS9 and there was a lot of sibilance at times). Clipping would be more like popping or clicks.
 
#20 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67jason  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591#post_23895347


It sounds to me like you are describing sibilance. I notice a fair amount of sibilance from SD content from Netflix (recently i re-watched the entire series of Star Trek DS9 and there was a lot of sibilance at times). Clipping would be more like popping or clicks.


What we're experiencing might be harsher than the sibilance which I do experience when watching older SD content. This is noticeable on newer HD movies. I wonder if I can record some audio of it this weekend for you guys.
 
#21 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by totalkonfuzion  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591/0_100#post_23895382

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67jason  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-denon-591#post_23895347


It sounds to me like you are describing sibilance. I notice a fair amount of sibilance from SD content from Netflix (recently i re-watched the entire series of Star Trek DS9 and there was a lot of sibilance at times). Clipping would be more like popping or clicks.


What we're experiencing might be harsher than the sibilance which I do experience when watching older SD content. This is noticeable on newer HD movies. I wonder if I can record some audio of it this weekend for you guys.

I have no doubt that you are hearing some sort of artifact in the audio stream...possibly clipping, but paganhobbit description reminded me of sibilance. I know my dish network HBO channels exhibit a lot of popping and clicking in the center channel....probably due to a clipped signal...so i have probably heard what you guys are describing...its just I have not heard it from netflix content like you guys. Its interesting HBO is the only channel that i have the issue with.
 
#23 ·
Count me in as experiencing the problem as well. I was previously using a phat PS3 in my theatre room for netflix, but replaced it with a new one that can bitstream the high def formats.


The reciever is an AVR-2313 and the centre channel sounds horrible. I was watching an episode of How I Met Your Mother. If I turn off Dobly Digital + in the options the issue goes away completely.
 
#24 ·
Same exact issue with a Denon 4520CI and Dolby Digital+ on Netflix. I was wondering if it was a defect in my unit. Sounds more widespread. Did Denon get back to you? Do you have a case number or something you can PM? I'll call them as well, I use Netflix a lot and this is ruining streaming for me.
 
#25 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by ormandj  /t/1492916/dolby-digital-plus-and-netflix-on-various-denon-receivers#post_23930816


Same exact issue with a Denon 4520CI and Dolby Digital+ on Netflix. I was wondering if it was a defect in my unit. Sounds more widespread. Did Denon get back to you? Do you have a case number or something you can PM? I'll call them as well, I use Netflix a lot and this is ruining streaming for me.
Denon got back to me and have asked me to return the receiver for them to see if there is an underlying hardware fault with it.  I suspect it will get returned in a week or so with a "unable to reproduce" response, but its a start
 
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