Outputting A2 Audio to 2nd TV

Anyone have their A2 connected to a second TV via analog connections? If so, have you noticed any audio issues using the analog 2-channel outputs?

My new A2 (with 2.5 firmware) is connected to an older Denon 2803 receiver via component video, optical audio and 2-ch analog audio connections. I'm using that receiver's component switching to switch between the A2 and Dish 622 HD DVR. Component video and 2-ch analog audio is output from the Denon to a CELabs cat5e transmitter / receiver in order to deliver the component video and 2-ch analog audio (Denon's 2nd zone) to a Panny consumer plasma (42PX600U) in a second viewing room. I'm using the 42600U's integrated amp/speakers; I don't have a separate 5.1 system in that second area. Also the 42PX600U does not have a digital audio input (other than HDMI).

In my main area, the CELabs transmitter outputs component video to an older Panny commercial display. The A2 is set for Bitstream (Optical) and Downmixed PCM (HDMI) and the Denon easily handles & outputs the DTS audio to the 5.1 speakers in the main area.

When I view an HD DVD in the second room, the 2-channel audio is muffled and it seems to cycle through a muted volume level. Not terribly pronounced but certainly noticeable. Also, I have to increase the 42PX600U's volume substantially. It seems to improve if I change the A2 audio setup to PCM (Optical) but the volume level is still low. I've noticed this issue on 2 different HD-DVD discs.

I don't have this problem when viewing the Dish 622 in that second area and it is connected in the exact same manner (optical and 2-channel audio input into the Denon along with component video). Thus, I assume the problem relates to the A2 rather than settings within the Denon.

I'm not crazy about using the Denon as my "switch" in this band-aided 2-into-2 HD system and I'm contemplating the purchase of an inexpensive 4x1 HD switch which would feed the cat5e distribution. However, that purchase wouldn't solve anything if the issue relates to the A2's capabilities or settings.

Sorry for the long post.

Actually, it is set for Downmixed PCM. See my settings in the 3rd paragraph above.

I'm not using HDMI at all. Optical for the main area (using Denon's DTS) and 2-ch analog for the secondary area (output by Denon's Zone 2). Thus, the Downmixed PCM (HDMI) setting should be used for both areas per my understanding.

Thanks. I'll play around with that a bit more. I'll also play with the 42PX600U's various surround simulation settings and I also might temporarily bypass the Denon to see if it is complicating matters.

Regardless, I sure like DTS in the main area.

To make sure that the use of the Denon's Zone 2 was not my issue, I compared the volume levels for the optical vs. analog inputs in my main zone for both the A2 and the Dish 622 DVR.

For the Dish box (playing an HD movie with DD 5.1), the analog input's volume was slightly higher (but not better) than the optical input's volume (using DD 5.1) especially for voices. However for the A2 (playing HD DVD), the analog input's volume was substantially lower than the optical input's volume (using DTS 5.1) especially for voices. For both analog sources, I tried DTS Neo, Dolby PL and Dolby PL II settings but these changes had little effect on the above observations.

I've also switched the A2's optical setting from Bitstream to PCM but that didn't help matters.

I certainly don't expect to reproduce the full effect of true digital, multi-channel sound from the 2-channel analog outputs for purposes of this second TV. But I'd prefer not to have to re-locate components simply to have an HDMI connection into the second TV display that is using a limited 2-speaker, surround-effect system. With my Dish box, the 2-channel analog connections have produced comparable sound quality as that obtained when I had that box connected by HDMI into the 2nd TV's integrated system. Unfortunately, the A2 is not so accommodating.

Maybe, I need to just find another cheap A2 especially given that the cost is not much more than a decent HD switch!