Multi Channel Analog Output help

[greggp2]

I'm hoping someone can help me out. I have a Sony Blu-ray player and have it hooked up via Coax as well as Multi-Channel Analog into my receiver so I can get HD Audio. For some reason, I can not get any bass out of my sub with the multichannel hook up.

When I set the surround modes on the Sony Blu-Ray to Dolby Downmix PCM, DTS PCM, etc, the sound is put out through the Analog multi-channels, but there is virtually no bass. I've tried changing the speaker settings to Large, small and either way, there is virtually no bass, other than through the speakers themselves.

Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong? When I send the signal as Dolby Digital through the Coax cable, all is fine. The multi-channel however, sounds terrible as there is no low end bass.

There seems to be no option to tell the Blu-Ray player there is a sub either in the speaker set up. Only large or small fronts, a center and rears... That's it. Also, there is no distance set up...

Am I missing something?

Someone please help...

Thanks,

Gregg

[Adam]

Hi, Gregg. I'm assuming that you have the BDP-S550. If so, page 47 of the manual shows a menu option to select if you have a subwoofer or not. Page 48 discusses setting the speaker levels (including for the sub). Perhaps the subwoofer level is set very low?

If you have a different model, please let me know.

[greggp2]

Adam,

I actually have the BDP-S300. I pulled the manual, which I usually never need on any electronics device and it doesn't look like I can control bass at all. It shows a sub when I do the speaker set up, but there is no selection of the sub. It only allows me to change the front/center and rears.

I'm thinking this player is limited in it's ability to use the sub and play bass. The movies sound 1000% better in direct Dolby Digital as opposed to PCM. They are simply flat with no bass response.

Any ideas?

[billy p]

Adam,

I actually have the BDP-S300. I pulled the manual, which I usually never need on any electronics device and it doesn't look like I can control bass at all. It shows a sub when I do the speaker set up, but there is no selection of the sub. It only allows me to change the front/center and rears.

I'm thinking this player is limited in it's ability to use the sub and play bass. The movies sound 1000% better in direct Dolby Digital as opposed to PCM. They are simply flat with no bass response.

Any ideas?

Since your player allows for speaker adjustment than you should consider that. Having experimented myself with certain players, lowering the speakers levels helped to blend the overall bass which is output from the sub.

[greggp2]

It only allows for me to say if I have a Center or not and if my mains are large or small. I've tried both settings, large and then small. I figured with large it was sending all bass info to my mains, so setting it to small should activate a higher cross over for the sub. No dice. There are no other speaker settings other than this. No distance settings, no level settings, nada... I just think the player is limited in its capabilities. I guess I'll just use the Coax connection for now, listen in Dolby Digital and pick up the Oppo when it's released.

Then I can retire this unit to my bedroom or something... Either that or sell it on Ebay.

[MinusTheBear]

Have you checked your receiver/pre-pro for any separate subwoofer settings that are applied when using the analog outs. On my Denon for example there is an Ext. In settings that can boost the subwoofer level from 0, +5, +10, +15. Maybe your equipment has a similar setting.

[greggp2]

I've toyed around with my Rotel for a while and haven't seen anything like this, but I will look again when I get home. Thanks for the tip...

[MinusTheBear]

Go through your manuals.

Here is an excellent link to setting up multi-channel analog for a Blu-ray player for reference.

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/How_To_Set_up_a_Blu-ray_Player_Using_Multi-Channel_Analog_Outputs_And_Why.shtml

[greggp2]

I'm going to try to restore the player to factory default and see where I can set up speakers, etc. It doesn't seem right to me that I can't get into the distance, volume levels and advanced setup options that are so easily adjusted on my processor. for the life of me though, I can't find the menu for them anywhere on the Sony BR...

I'll also check the receiver as well, but it only makes sense that I should be able to set the distance of the speakers. otherwise, I could have lipsynch issues, etc...

[greggp2]

Ok, no dice. I think this player is incapable of the settings we are talking about. I'll just wait for the Oppo to be released... No big deal. The straight Dolby Digital sounds good enough that I think I'll be ok for the next month or so....

[Flowtron]

I also have the sony bdp s300, same problem, was hoping you'd get the problem solved. I think you maybe right about it's limited capabilities. I was hoping an update would fix this issue.

[Adam]

I was hoping an update would fix this issue.

Excellent idea, Flowtron! You got me thinking, and I went to the Sony support site to look for downloads.

Did either you or Gregg download the firmware update that is dated 01/28/2009 from Sony? It doesn't say anything about the speaker menu in the summary, but I don't know if there were any previous firmware releases that would have added that functionality.

Just curious.

[greggp2]

I did an update about 4-5 months ago. I don't think I've updated this year, so perhaps it won't hurt if I try. I doubt it will help though... I think it's time for an upgrade..

[Adam]

I think it's time for an upgrade..

Welcome to the fold, brother. Welcome to the fold. :D

[greggp2]

Ok, I got this sorted out. Not through a firmware update either. I had to go into my receiver settings and there is an option for LFE passthrough or LFE management when using Multi-channel inputs. With LFE management, (I'm currently using my Rotel RSX-1056 until the Arcam AVR350 arrives) it creates a monosignal of all the channels and directs it through the subwoofer output and into my sub. The only real issue is that I can't create crossovers and the crossover is set to 100hz as opposed to 80hz, which would be optimal.

I need to do some listening between the two to see which sounds better. The Blu-ray on DD through the Rotel already sounds really good, but with just a few minutes of experimenting, I have noticed more sound details with the TrueHD Dolby.

I'm really looking forward to ordering the Oppo BR however when it is released. Does anyone know how its SQ and DAC's compare to the Denon 3910?

[MinusTheBear]

Good stuff greggp2. How much did that setting boost the LFE channel for the multichannel analog? Glad to hear you finally found that setting on your receiver/pre-pro (did you find it through the manual?).

[greggp2]

I can hear bass now. It even will let me adjust the bass level now for multi-channel through the sub set up. It wasn't there before, but now appears, since I turned on the LFE passthrough.

Yes, that pesky manual actually finally came in handy... It's about time after 4 years.. :D thanks for the recommendation.

[MinusTheBear]

Glad to help :) . Don't be shy with adjusting the LFE level either. If you feel it needs more, adjust accordingly. I boost my LFE Ext. In level to the max of +15 for the multichannel analog setting (Denon AVR).

[greggp2]

I'm starting to see that. I had my kids over this weekend, so i really couldn't turn up the volume much on Spiderman 3 tonight. I'll be able to test it better tomorrow, but it still sounded a little hollow on the bass side. I have it up to +4 now. It goes to 10, so I'll likely adjust it and see how it sounds.

I can certainly here a lot more definition though in the 5 channels. My surrounds are much more active with DolbyHD running...

[DaleAV]

Good points, bass content can certainly vary with the specific disk.
Often, reviews of DVDs in various publications rate transfers on SQ, including use of surrounds and LFE content.

[MinusTheBear]

Remember greggp2 that you can also turn up the sub using the volume knob on the subwoofer itself. If you do that you can re-adjust the avr level down a bit to compensate for other sources or re-adjust the volume knob back down to the original position.

BTW I am using a Panasonic BD55 and by boosting the multichannel analog through the avr and adjusting the settings accordingly in the player itself I am very, very pleased with the results. I am lovin' my Blu-ray :).

[DaleAV]

The '55 is a very nice player!

[MinusTheBear]

I have been extremely happy with my BD55 as well.

[billy p]

Remember greggp2 that you can also turn up the sub using the volume knob on the subwoofer itself. If you do that you can re-adjust the avr level down a bit to compensate for other sources or re-adjust the volume knob back down to the original position.

BTW I am using a Panasonic BD55 and by boosting the multichannel analog through the avr and adjusting the settings accordingly in the player itself I am very, very pleased with the results. I am lovin' my Blu-ray :).

I agree the pannys are both excellent players, but the crossover I believe defaults at about 100hz and there is no adjustment for that.

[DaleAV]

I agree the pannys are both excellent players, but the crossover I believe defaults at about 100hz and there is no adjustment for that.

That's true for most players, 100Hz and no adjustment. For the Pioneer 120Hz!
For the Oppo 80Hz.

[billy p]

That's true for most players, 100Hz and no adjustment. For the Pioneer 120Hz!
For the Oppo 80Hz.

and that is the underlying problem for some folks. In my case, I would prefer my speakers to handle freq above 80hz and not my sub. Heh... the oppo may of worked but I already took the plunge.:)

[greggp2]

I cranked the bass on my Rotel, still waiting on the Arcam and it is definitely better. The Sony player however is very limited in adjustment of speaker distance and speaker levels. it sounds good, but some effects still sound better in DD as opposed to HD...

Quick question, do I need to set my player to send PCM signals, or just Dolby Digital and DTS? The instructions say only to send PCM signals if my reciever has no Dolby Digital and it is only effective via a digital output (Coax and Optical)...

[billy p]

I cranked the bass on my Rotel, still waiting on the Arcam and it is definitely better. The Sony player however is very limited in adjustment of speaker distance and speaker levels. it sounds good, but some effects still sound better in DD as opposed to HD...

Quick question, do I need to set my player to send PCM signals, or just Dolby Digital and DTS? The instructions say only to send PCM signals if my reciever has no Dolby Digital and it is only effective via a digital output (Coax and Optical)...

PCM when using analog or if your receiver can't decode. In most other cases if your using digital for DD or DTS encoded dics you should bitstream.

[DaleAV]

and that is the underlying problem for some folks. In my case, I would prefer my speakers to handle freq above 80hz and not my sub. Heh... the oppo may of worked but I already took the plunge.:)

I agree, and it's likely true for most folks like us who frequent forums like this...we are not average consumers by a long shot.
Without the added capability of DVD-A and SACD my interest in the Oppo would be even less. My system sounds fine with 100Hz x-over for movies..I am not sure the 20Hz would make as much difference as it would for music. (or maybe ignorance is bliss).
Point being, I would not jump over to the Oppo for just a 20Hz lower cutoff. I recently listened to the BD copy of Roy Orbison's Black & White album. Fantastic SQ! That would be an excellent one to do the comparison with I think. My player was dancing on the shelf!!:D