Dolby Digital Questions

[devildog820]

Hi All,

I've searched through previous threads, but haven't really found an answer.

I have already turned on Dolby Digital on my HR23-700. I connect to my receiver (TX-SR806) using HDMI. However, I'm not seeing it switch to Dolby Digital mode, it stays in Pro Logic IIx mode. I have my receiver automatically switch when it recognizes a DD source and it works with other devices.

What am I doing wrong? I have tested on the local channels that supposedly offer DD for certain shows. I tried TNTHD with some movie that was supposedly offered in DD. Is there a way to identify shows that support it? Is there a channel that definitely broadcasts with DD?

[hasan]

Hi All,

I've searched through previous threads, but haven't really found an answer.

I have already turned on Dolby Digital on my HR23-700. I connect to my receiver (TX-SR806) using HDMI. However, I'm not seeing it switch to Dolby Digital mode, it stays in Pro Logic IIx mode. I have my receiver automatically switch when it recognizes a DD source and it works with other devices.

What am I doing wrong? I have tested on the local channels that supposedly offer DD for certain shows. I tried TNTHD with some movie that was supposedly offered in DD. Is there a way to identify shows that support it? Is there a channel that definitely broadcasts with DD?

ESPN is always DD on my Onkyo 605 (HDMI)

[spartanstew]

PLIIx is a sound format of your receiver and must be turned off there. When you have a DD source from D* have you tried changing formats on your receiver?

I'm not familiar with your receiver, but many receivers use a certain format depending on the source. So, it's possible that your receiver is set-up to use PLIIx when receiving a signal from the DVR, but it uses a different sound format (i.e. DD) with other sources.

That's the way my receiver in the HT works and I have it set to always use PLIIx. I'd check your AVR manual first.

What type of speaker set-up do you have? (5.1 or 7.1).

If 7.1, you probably want IIx. If 5.1, then maybe not (unless you listen to a lot of stereo sources)

[bonscott87]

Are you sure your receiver can take DD 5.1 as an input over HDMI? Some can't and would just pass stereo. A good way to test that DD 5.1 is working at all on the HR23 would be to connect up an optical cable and then switch between the two inputs on the receiver and see what the diff is.

[spartanstew]

I'm pretty sure that receiver (top of the line Onkyo) can accept any audio input via HDMI.

[CCarncross]

Don't forget the fact that many stations/shows are only in DD2.0, so you receiver should default to DPLIIx for those stations/shows. Only a true 5.1 source will cause it to switch full DD. Try one of your local stations perhaps. In my area, 1 or 2 of my HD locals are DD5.1, the other are 5.1. Of course only the HD channels and a few of the nonHD premium movie channels offer DD, as well as HDPPV and some VOD.

[dewd]

Hi All,

I've searched through previous threads, but haven't really found an answer.

I have already turned on Dolby Digital on my HR23-700. I connect to my receiver (TX-SR806) using HDMI. However, I'm not seeing it switch to Dolby Digital mode, it stays in Pro Logic IIx mode. I have my receiver automatically switch when it recognizes a DD source and it works with other devices.

What am I doing wrong? I have tested on the local channels that supposedly offer DD for certain shows. I tried TNTHD with some movie that was supposedly offered in DD. Is there a way to identify shows that support it? Is there a channel that definitely broadcasts with DD?

You are seeing the DSP displayed on the screen. Press "display" on your remote a few times to see what is actually being sent to the receiver.

[steve053]

Hi All,

I've searched through previous threads, but haven't really found an answer.

I have already turned on Dolby Digital on my HR23-700. I connect to my receiver (TX-SR806) using HDMI. However, I'm not seeing it switch to Dolby Digital mode, it stays in Pro Logic IIx mode. I have my receiver automatically switch when it recognizes a DD source and it works with other devices.

What am I doing wrong? I have tested on the local channels that supposedly offer DD for certain shows. I tried TNTHD with some movie that was supposedly offered in DD. Is there a way to identify shows that support it? Is there a channel that definitely broadcasts with DD?

I have an older TX-SR674 connected via HDMI and I definitely see it switch to DD.

Check how you have the audio input mapped in the Onkyo set-up. Onkyo is not know for it's 'intuitive' or easy to use menues. I belive one of the settings is 'use the last' audio setting, which may be why you are only seeing Pro Logic IIx mode; or possibly you have DD mapped to Pro Logic.

Steve

[devildog820]

Thanks for all the replies. I haven't been back home to test ESPNHD, but everything else is set up properly. Most of the local channels here in Orlando don't broadcast in DD, unfortunately.

The receiver accepts any audio source over HDMI. I currently have the HDMI input (on the receiver) set to auto select for the source. I plugged my PS3 into the same input and the switching happened with no problems. I think it just might be a lack of DD5.1 on the channels, I just wanted to confirm with those who would know. :)

[devildog820]

So it has been transmitting in Dolby Digital, just not 5.1. Apparently our CBS station doesn't broadcast in 5.1.

[Max Mike]

I'm pretty sure that receiver (top of the line Onkyo) can accept any audio input via HDMI.

It can... my older TX-SR575 using digital coax switches between formats depending on the channel so a newer 806 that does HD audio over HDMI should.

ETA: see you figured it out. I just checked my locals and only one is coming through in DD.

[dvdmth]

Hi All,

I've searched through previous threads, but haven't really found an answer.

I have already turned on Dolby Digital on my HR23-700. I connect to my receiver (TX-SR806) using HDMI. However, I'm not seeing it switch to Dolby Digital mode, it stays in Pro Logic IIx mode. I have my receiver automatically switch when it recognizes a DD source and it works with other devices.

What am I doing wrong? I have tested on the local channels that supposedly offer DD for certain shows. I tried TNTHD with some movie that was supposedly offered in DD. Is there a way to identify shows that support it? Is there a channel that definitely broadcasts with DD?

Since you said Pro Logic IIx (with an "x" at the end), I assume you have a 6.1 or 7.1 setup. I have a 7.1 setup and it always shows PLIIx for both DD2.0 and DD5.1 content.

Pro Logic IIx (again, note the "x") is a listening mode which takes 2-channel stereo AND 5-channel surround and converts them into a 7-channel output, filling in the central back speaker(s) that otherwise would be silent when using just DD. Pro Logic II (with no "x") takes a 2-channel input and converts it to a 5-channel surround output, filling in the center and surround speakers (but not the back speakers). If you have five speakers, the receiver should automatically switch between Pro Logic II mode (for 2-channel sources) and Dolby Digital mode (5-channel source). With more than 5 speakers, however, it is probably best (if you want output from all speakers) to be in Pro Logic IIx mode for both 2-channel and 5-channel sources.

[Steveknj]

Since you said Pro Logic IIx (with an "x" at the end), I assume you have a 6.1 or 7.1 setup. I have a 7.1 setup and it always shows PLIIx for both DD2.0 and DD5.1 content.

Pro Logic IIx (again, note the "x") is a listening mode which takes 2-channel stereo AND 5-channel surround and converts them into a 7-channel output, filling in the central back speaker(s) that otherwise would be silent when using just DD. Pro Logic II (with no "x") takes a 2-channel input and converts it to a 5-channel surround output, filling in the center and surround speakers (but not the back speakers). If you have five speakers, the receiver should automatically switch between Pro Logic II mode (for 2-channel sources) and Dolby Digital mode (5-channel source). With more than 5 speakers, however, it is probably best (if you want output from all speakers) to be in Pro Logic IIx mode for both 2-channel and 5-channel sources.

Hey, that's a great explanation of the different Pro Logic II sources. I have 5.1 setup and didn't realize that IIx was for 7.1 setup, and that's what I have used when I used Pro Logic. I will try switching to II. As my recieve does NERO surround (I think that is what it's called off the top of my head) I much prefer that to the PLs anyway, sounds clearer and louder to my ears.

[Yog-Sothoth]

Hey, that's a great explanation of the different Pro Logic II sources. I have 5.1 setup and didn't realize that IIx was for 7.1 setup, and that's what I have used when I used Pro Logic. I will try switching to II. As my recieve does NERO surround (I think that is what it's called off the top of my head) I much prefer that to the PLs anyway, sounds clearer and louder to my ears.

By "NERO" you most likely mean "Neural" (or "THX Neural Surround"); that works best with stereo music sources (XM even broadcasts some music encoded that way). Stick with PLIIx for DD 2.0 sources. If you have a DD 5.1 source, you can use DD EX or PLIIx to expand it to 6/7.1. With some Onkyo receivers, you can set it to automatically use different formats, depending on the source. As an example, with my Xbox 360 and my Onkyo TX-SR705, I have it set to use PLIIx + THX for DD 2.0 sources (rarely used, since I don't use it for movies), THX Surround EX for 5.1 sources (better localization in games; I can hear players behind me in multiplayer), and THX Neural Surround for two-channel PCM (works great for music through Media Center).

By "NERO" you may also mean "DTS Neo:6," which is another matrix format like PLIIx; I prefer PLIIx.

Since my PS3 decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA (HD audio formats for Blu-ray) and sends them out as PCM, I made sure I got a receiver that could apply processing to multichannel PCM, so I use THX Surround EX with 5.1 PCM from my PS3 to get 6.1 (some prefer using PLIIx).

Note that there is now PLIIz, which is 9.1 and adds "front height" speakers. PLIIz can be used with 2.0, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 sources.