Direct TV HDMI no 5.1

[krzywica]

Hey guys......I have the Direct TV HD DVR....not sure what the model number is. Its only sending 2 channel audio over the HDMI connection. I checked the signal on my receiver and it says 2/0/0. But...if I hook up the toslink cable I get 5.1. I was trying to watch 24 tonight and I just could not get it to output 6 channel audio.

 

[Adam]

Is there a menu selection on the DVR to set audio options for the HDMI output? If you let us know the model number, we'll be in a better position to help out.

 

[krzywica]

Thanks man....its the black one with blu lights....

No but honestly....there is only the option of Dolby Digital which is set to on. I hate my Direct TV more and more every day.....

Its an HR21-700

 

[Adam]

There isn't an option to set the output to bitstream or PCM? Perhaps that box downmixes to two-channel for PCM.

 

[Adam]

Its an HR21-700

Ah, just saw that part. I'll go look it up.

 

[krzywica]

Yeah thats possible....I don't have an option on there....guess I will continue to use my Toslink.....gah

 

[Adam]

Well, the HR21 manual says that "True" Dolby Digital is available via the HDMI or optical connections, and there doesn't seem to be any other menu (like you said), so perhaps that's not the problem.

I'm wondering if the 663 has a menu that needs to be set. There is the "Decoder mode" described on page 94 of the manual - I'd suggest making sure that it's set to "Auto."

 

[krzywica]

Well, the HR21 manual says that "True" Dolby Digital is available via the HDMI or optical connections, and there doesn't seem to be any other menu (like you said), so perhaps that's not the problem.

I'm wondering if the 663 has a menu that needs to be set. There is the "Decoder mode" described on page 94 of the manual - I'd suggest making sure that it's set to "Auto."

Yep checked that....but it seems that the DVR is the culprit as I checked what signal the AVR is actually receiving and its 2 channel PCM. I seriously hate this unit.

Thanks for the help Adam. I will have to get on the horn with the customer disservice or I mean service tomorrow.

 

[Adam]

Hey, just a couple of things to follow up.

1. I'm curious if you set the unit to Dolby Digital as the default or if you temporarily set it. At least on the copy of the manual that I found online, that's described on page 29.

2. I'm wondering if, when you're trying to get surround sound over HDMI, if Dolby Digital is listed in the Channel Banner or the Guide.