Issue with Pioneer VSX-530-K acknowledging DTS and Dolby signals

[a-dogg]

I know the VSX-530-K is no belle of the ball, but I read it's supposed to be a good, economical receiver. When I hook DVD and Nvidia Shield up to my old Onkyo (which doesn't have HDMI), the receiver recognizes when I play something with digital audio. But when I try with the Pioneer, connecting via HDMI, it doesn't show the "DTS" or "Dolby" on the front panel, as the manual says it should. Weirdly, my sub does light up, showing incoming signal. So maybe the Pioneer is still processing the digital audio? But if so, it should be showing that on the display.

I read somewhere that Pioneer wants users to use "high-speed HDMI" cables, and I'm not positive that I am. Could this have anything to do with it?

Or do I just need to invest in another receiver with HDMI inputs?

 

[lovinthehd]

Have you made sure your sources hdmi settings are set to bitstream audio to the avr? If you're set for multi-ch pcm in the soutces that could provide the 5.1 audio. You get center and surround channel output? If only outputting L/R and sub that could be a stereo mode the avr is in. Need more info otherwise....

ps hispeed hdmi shouldnt be necessary for dvd at least, doubt it for the other device unless its 3D or 4k stuff....

 

[a-dogg]

Thanks for the reply! So the DVD player and Nvidia Shield should be set to output bitstream?

Sounds like you're saying if the sources are (incorrectly) set to PCM, that would give me 5.1 audio output, but not DTS/DD?

Yes, I hear sound from center, surround, and (I think) L/R, but the avr doesn't light up showing that it's receiving/processing DTS/DD.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the reply! So the DVD player and Nvidia Shield should be set to output bitstream?

Sounds like you're saying if the sources are (incorrectly) set to PCM, that would give me 5.1 audio output, but not DTS/DD?

Yes, I hear sound from center, surround, and (I think) L/R, but the avr doesn't light up showing that it's receiving/processing DTS/DD.

Your player and Shield I assume have the ability to handle the codec on their own if you're getting 5.1 audio. If you bitstream that means you're sending the codec to your avr to decode (and then your avr would display that it is doing the decoding). Many avrs will show something like "multi-ch" when getting multi-ch pcm signal.

 

[a-dogg]

What's weird is that, with the same settings on the Shield and Blu-ray player, my Onkyo display does click over to show DTS or DD. I would have assumed the Pioneer would do the same, with the same settings.

 

[lovinthehd]

What's weird is that, with the same settings on the Shield and Blu-ray player, my Onkyo display does click over to show DTS or DD. I would have assumed the Pioneer would do the same, with the same settings.

I have several avrs and they're a bit different in what is shown for what input, some will remember a change in sound mode you apply to a given input signal (and don't confuse a sound mode with the codec, they're related but not actually the same thing). What are the audio settings in your shield and dvd player? You might refer to the manuals for each unit...

 

[-Jim-]

Hi a-dogg,

I'm with lovinthehd, it's probably the output setting on the sources.

Although I like the newer HT Receivers, I miss the old days when a bright blue light would glow when you were getting multi-channel Dolby or DTS sound. The displays, on both my Denon's and a couple Sony's, have very small indicators; and it's hard to see them from across the room. I'd like to see receivers display all of the settings on the TV screen as toggled overlay to whatever picture is being shown - not just volume. That would make it simpler.

 

[lovinthehd]

There is on-screen audio/video information avail with each of my avrs, altho with each you have to dig into setup menus to see the most info, sometimes a little bit with one of the remote buttons....but you still need to set your source's audio output accordingly....

 

[a-dogg]

ok, so the Nvidia Shield was DEFINITELY NOT set correctly, I think it was outputting already processed signal. I've switched it, and will investigate my Sony Blu-ray. I'll swap out the Onkyo AVR for the Pioneer (for the 10th time but oh well, them's the breaks) and give it a whirl. Hoping you're right! Sounds like you probably are.

I'll report back. Thanks for all the help thus far!