[hilbert1862]

I just got an RCA STAV 4090 = radio shack 31-5013. recever ( its also a rebranded Pioneer). The manual muddles the explanation of the incoming signal modes and the actual reciever listening setting modes.


Is anyone here familiar with this receiver? Can someone refer a beginner to a good description of the various Dolby modes?

 

[_Arklyte_]

I'm not familiar with this receiver, but all the info regarding dolby is available at www.dolby.com


A very good resource with simple detail regarding all dolby modes, room layouts, speaker positions, etc

 

[hilbert1862]

Thanks!

 

[icecow]

Quote:

Originally posted by _Arklyte_ I'm not familiar with this receiver, but all the info regarding dolby is available at www.dolby.com A very good resource with simple detail regarding all dolby modes, room layouts, speaker positions, etc

I have the same receiver as hilbert does and the same question.


The manual to the receiver is in pdf format here if you want to take a look:
http://support.radioshack.com/suppor...oc69/69230.pdf


I went to the dolby.com link, but I still cant distinguish the differences between the modes.


More laymans term type links are appreciated from anyone.


have a smokin day

 

[Joe_M]

I took a look at the manual what pages are you referring to?

 

[hilbert1862]

primarily:

page 29

page 30

also

page 27

page 28


The manual does not distinguish well between describing the actual input signal mode, and the mode the operator chooses (or the receiver selects).


Also, the terminology is sloppy:


there is a reference to analog (does this mean stereo or mono or either)


there is a reference to stereo

a reference normal stereo

a reference to digital (which digital, any?)

a reference to Dolboy Digital

a reference to Dolby 5.1 digital

a reference to Dolby Surround

a reference to Dolby Digital Surround

a reference to Dolby ProLgic

a reference to Dolby ProLogic I

a reference to Dolby ProLogic II


Where the terms overlap, it is unclear from the context whether they mean all covered terms, or only one of them.


specifically:

the signal select indicator says: digital, analog, dolby digital, DTS.

which digital is that?

which Dolby Digital is that?


AND

the text says that in standard mode, the receiver automatically selects among:

Dolby Digital

DTS

Surround


How does that correspond to the listening mode indicator?



Thanks for any clarification!








in these pagersd, and elsewhere

 

[icecow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Joe_M I took a look at the manual what pages are you referring to?

The way I remember it it started at page 31.


I'm asking the same thing as hilbert.


digital suround, DTS, dolby digital...etc...

I read each discription and in the end they all start sounding like the same again. My brief googling was tiring too.


Some kinda comprehensive link would be nice.. Former newbie explains to newbies sort of descriptions would be perfect


Whatever I can get

 

[hilbert1862]

I was lookng at the manual when I specified the pages.

 

[vballer]

icecow,


This link should get you started. There are some links at the end that might help also:

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/429/429461p1.html

 

[Joe_M]

What seems to be causing most of the confusion is the fact that they're using so many different terms for the same or similar things. For home theater use the only formats you need concerned with are Analog, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, PCM, Dolby Prologic II. There are a few others but let's start with these.

Analog is what it is, an analog signal (i.e. not digital).


Connections that could be analog would be the audio from a TV, 2-channel or 6 channel audio from a DVD/CD player, video game console or a VCR. These types of signals could be output by the receiver as Prologic, Prologic II or Stereo.

Dolby Digital 5.1


Almost every DVD has a 5.1 Dolby audio track. This is a digital signal which is sent to the receiver using either digital coax or optical (toslink) connector)

It is output to the 5 speakers as discreet (individual tracks) and an LFE (low frequency effect) is sent to the subwoofer.

DTS


Very similar to Dolby Digital 5.1. Found on quite a few DVD's. The primary advantage of DTS is that it offers higher bit rates than Dolby Digital.

[PCM]

Most often used with CD format. It takes the analog signal, changes it to digital, sends it to the receiver which then decodes the digital signal.

Pro Logic II

Basically takes a stereo signal and creates a surround output out of it. You can take a CD and make it 5 channel surround. This is not the same as 5 channel audio where the same signal is sent to each speaker. This simulates a 5.1 sound from a two channel signal.


These are VERY basic explainations of some of the most common formats. This may help to clear up some of the confusion.

 

[hilbert1862]

Thanks. That's exactly the point. Since they use several terms for the same thing, the description is very difficult to follow.


The ONLY reference to PCM in the manual is at the lower right of p 30 (32, 44, 48, 96 kHz) which they there distinguish from Dolby Digital. There is no reference to PCM as being any of the selected or selectable listening modes any where else in the manual. Is THAT (i.e., PCM) what they mean by references to "DIGITAL" when the signal is NOT any of the Dolby Digital modes?


(What do you expect from a manual printed in Indonesia and written who knows where.)

 

[GreySkies]

Quote:

Is THAT (i.e., PCM) what they mean by references to "DIGITAL" when the signal is NOT any of the Dolby Digital modes?

Yes. (or when it's not DTS, either)

 

[hilbert1862]

Do you mean "OR when it's not DTS", or "AND when it's not DTS". DTS is clearly denoted as a specific mode receivable in the "STANDARD" selection, so, on this particular receiver, I think it would be distinct from "digital" (i.e., PCM".


Om page 30, the manual appears to distinguish DTS from PCM.

 

[GreySkies]

Quote:

I think it would be distinct from "digital" (i.e., PCM").

Yes--think of DTS as being just like one of the Dolby Digital formats (it's actually a competitor).

 

[hilbert1862]

The link to dvd.ign.com is very helpful. Thanks!


You mean DTS is just like, but is not actually, one of the Dolby digital formats, don't you? It's not PCM , and it's not Dolby,right?

 

[hilbert1862]

I think I answered my own question by reading further in that link.