Onkyo TX-SR608 - Problem with DTS HD-MA?

[ssgthollywood]

I played my first DTS HD-MA title last night and was disappointed. I could see it was a 5.1 channel signal on my PS3 and on my receiver display (new Onkyo TX-SR608). While switched to DTS HD-MA processing I wasn't getting a signal to my rear surrounds. I've since confirmed no DTS HD-MA materials generate a rear channel signal while in the listening mode DTS HD-MSTR. Other 5.1 and 7.1 modes work just fine, to include Dolby PLIIx, THX, etc.

Any ideas?

 

[jostenmeat]

I played my first DTS HD-MA title last night and was disappointed. I could see it was a 5.1 channel signal on my PS3 and on my receiver display (new Onkyo TX-SR608). While switched to DTS HD-MA processing I wasn't getting a signal to my rear surrounds. I've since confirmed no DTS HD-MA materials generate a rear channel signal while in the listening mode DTS HD-MSTR. Other 5.1 and 7.1 modes work just fine, to include Dolby PLIIx, THX, etc.

Any ideas?

Did you play with the settings? If you did, it really wouldn't let you matrix?

If OTOH you don't play with the settings, and are expecting it to work by default, then I would look at your default settings. Go into the assigned portion for bluray, and if it's anything like my 805, you can set the listening mode to each codec.

Other than that, I'm at a loss. I have to admit I am always worried about the lack of processing power in cheaper processors. There have been units that simply didn't have enough to both decode advanced codecs and matrix for them.

 

[AVRat]

If it's encoded in 5.1, you won't automatically decode to discrete 7.1. You need to add the Dolby PLIIx processing to matrix in the rear surrounds. Only movies encoded in DTS-MA 7.1 will do what you're expecting. What was the movie?

 

[ssgthollywood]

If it's encoded in 5.1, you won't automatically decode to discrete 7.1. You need to add the Dolby PLIIx processing to matrix in the rear surrounds. Only movies encoded in DTS-MA 7.1 will do what you're expecting. What was the movie?

AVRat, that's actually what I had been suspecting, so that gives me comfort. I do appreciate it. When I selected PLIIx processing, the rear surround fired up just fine, and sounded pretty accurate.

The movie was The Other Guys, but I've since found my other blu ray DTS HD-MA title performed identically (Terminator 4).

 

[LAB3]

I played my first DTS HD-MA title last night and was disappointed. I could see it was a 5.1 channel signal on my PS3 and on my receiver display (new Onkyo TX-SR608). While switched to DTS HD-MA processing I wasn't getting a signal to my rear surrounds. I've since confirmed no DTS HD-MA materials generate a rear channel signal while in the listening mode DTS HD-MSTR. Other 5.1 and 7.1 modes work just fine, to include Dolby PLIIx, THX, etc.

Any ideas?

HDMI from your Blu-ray to the Onkyo and and HDMI to your flat screen. Make sure the Blu-ray is set on "Bitstreaming Audio" and see if the rear surrounds play. Use the Bluray movie 2012 or DVD 5.1 movie Master & Commander both of the movies have great seperation. The movie 2012 is HD Mastered. My Wii has even worse seperation then a PS3.
Check your speaker settings on the Onkyo. Did you use the Audyssey mic on first set up?

 

[ssgthollywood]

HDMI from your Blu-ray to the Onkyo and and HDMI to your flat screen. Make sure the Blu-ray is set on "Bitstreaming Audio" and see if the rear surrounds play. Use the Bluray movie 2012 or DVD 5.1 movie Master & Commander both of the movies have great seperation. The movie 2012 is HD Mastered. My Wii has even worse seperation then a PS3.
Check your speaker settings on the Onkyo. Did you use the Audyssey mic on first set up?

I don't have any issues with other 5.1 content; just DTS HD-MA, so far. I did not use the Audyssey mic configurator, I'm using the Def Tech SSA-42 soundbar as my front 3 and side-surrounds.

I'll check 2012 when I can get my hands on it.

 

[LAB3]

I don't have any issues with other 5.1 content; just DTS HD-MA, so far. I did not use the Audyssey mic configurator, I'm using the Def Tech SSA-42 soundbar as my front 3 and side-surrounds.

I'll check 2012 when I can get my hands on it.

Do you have your system hooked up as I posted? And checked to make sure Blu-ray player is on "Bitstreaming Audio" No DTS HD Mastered on Blu-ray?
I went thru this with my Onkyo TX-SR805 HD A/V receiver. Check zone settings and rear output signal strength. Turn on Blu-ray and have Onkyo on DVD and hit set up/guide button(remote) and hit the enter button on remote and turn up the rear speaker signal strength. I bet you have done this but thought I would post this.

 

[ssgthollywood]

Do you have your system hooked up as I posted? And checked to make sure Blu-ray player is on "Bitstreaming Audio" No DTS HD Mastered on Blu-ray?
I went thru this with my Onkyo TX-SR805 HD A/V receiver. Check zone settings and rear output signal strength. Turn on Blu-ray and have Onkyo on DVD and hit set up/guide button(remote) and hit the enter button on remote and turn up the rear speaker signal strength. I bet you have done this but thought I would post this.

Right, yes, I'm using HDMI as my digital connectors for both my PS3 and DirecTv HD DVR. I did lots of research as to the benefits of LPCM and bitstreaming, and have chosen to bitstream, as you suggest. With the soundbar, Def Tech recommends using +0 db for the fronts, and I'm running about +7 on the side surrounds. I run +7 also for the rear surrounds. As I said, no issues with 7.1 effects, etc., save for running on DTS HD-MA. When I select to other listening modes that include Dolby Ex or PLIIx, as AVRat suggested, things are fine.

 

[LAB3]

Right, yes, I'm using HDMI as my digital connectors for both my PS3 and DirecTv HD DVR. I did lots of research as to the benefits of LPCM and bitstreaming, and have chosen to bitstream, as you suggest. With the soundbar, Def Tech recommends using +0 db for the fronts, and I'm running about +7 on the side surrounds. I run +7 also for the rear surrounds. As I said, no issues with 7.1 effects, etc., save for running on DTS HD-MA. When I select to other listening modes that include Dolby Ex or PLIIx, as AVRat suggested, things are fine.

If everything works on a Blu-ray movie it may be the PS3 IT
only decodes 5.1 from like Netflix. I ran into this with our Wii. Only 720 and Netflix does not send a 1080 5.1 signal to a Blu-ray or a Wii yet.

I think a PS3 does not decode a 7.1. only 5.1.

 

[ssgthollywood]

If everything works on a Blu-ray movie it may be the PS3 IT
only decodes 5.1 from like Netflix. I ran into this with our Wii. Only 720 and Netflix does not send a 1080 5.1 signal to a Blu-ray or a Wii yet.

I think a PS3 does not decode a 7.1. only 5.1.

Thanks, but I don't believe this is correct. Like AVRat suggested, I tried a DTS-HD MA 7.1 title tonight, The Expendables. It sounded truly terriffic, fully engaging all 8 channels. I do now believe the DTS HD-MA signal in 5.1 won't turn on the rear channels without additional processing, ala PLIIx or DD EX.

 

[LAB3]

Thanks, but I don't believe this is correct. Like AVRat suggested, I tried a DTS-HD MA 7.1 title tonight, The Expendables. It sounded truly terriffic, fully engaging all 8 channels. I do now believe the DTS HD-MA signal in 5.1 won't turn on the rear channels without additional processing, ala PLIIx or DD EX.

Are you playing Bluray movies thru your PS3? If so I just learned something about a PS3. Netflix only sends a 5.1 to the PS3. I have never used the PS3 for Blu-ray movies. Glad you figured out why all the speakers were not playing.

 

[AVRat]

Some newer receivers actually remember the last listening mode for a given codec for the next time, and some can be set up as Jostenmeat mentioned. Mine remembers but I'm just n the habit of checking each tiime. There is a Listening Mode Preset feature on pg. 49, but I'm not sure what exactly it does.

 

[MDS]

There is a Listening Mode Preset feature on pg. 49, but I'm not sure what exactly it does.

It's what jostenmeat mentioned. You can set it so that each time it sees a particular codec it always switches to a particular listening mode. It will remember the last setting used per input but if you want say DD to always be decoded straight but DTS to always use PLIIx you can set those preferences.

 

[AVRat]

That's what I thought, but the manual doesn't go into much detail. I guess a listening mode is a listening mode so no further explanation or example is necessary.

 

[LAB3]

On my Onkyo remote at the bottom there is a "Listening Mode" with 8 buttons, use the arrows L&R to change modes of decoding.While you are watching the movie or cable etc. Usually my Onkyo seeks the best source.

 

[ssgthollywood]

It's what jostenmeat mentioned. You can set it so that each time it sees a particular codec it always switches to a particular listening mode. It will remember the last setting used per input but if you want say DD to always be decoded straight but DTS to always use PLIIx you can set those preferences.

Yeah I saw the listing of codecs in the on-screen menu and the ability to set listening modes commensurate with each. I might mess with those; I will say I'm an incessant tweaker until I feel comfortable with new equipment.

As an aside, I have to say my experience with this setup while running The Expendables was exceptional--far beyond what I expected from the Def Tech soundbar, a sub that came from an Onkyo HTiB and rear surrounds that are some old reference E/L Infinity book shelf speakers I had lying around. I do believe a lot of credit goes to the new Onkyo receiver and the excellent design of the soundbar. I got the SSA-42 as a gift, but would have preferred the SSA-50 in as large a room as I'm running in, but c'est la vie. It sounds good as is, for now.

One of these days I'm going to build a dedicated theater room in a custom house, and spend about $30K on a real world beater.

 

[LAB3]

For the money I spent($400.00) I am really happy with my Klipsch RC-62 II Soundbar(center channel speaker) as all my speakers have Klipsch "Horns" in a really small living room about 18X20 or so with 8' ceiling and carpet. I made a shelf just above my 55" flat screen and have it even with the top of the 55" and have the back lifted up several inches so it is pointed down some. My sofa is 8' from the 55" and my Klipsch Cornwalls are my front L&R for my surround and they are about 12' apart on each side of the TV in the corners turned in towards the center of the sofa. The front wall is solid speakers and flat screen. Makes a great Man Cave and in such a small area I can get away with two mid level Klipsch Sub 12" 300/650 watt(wanted the SVS Ultra). I can really shake the room.Bluray movie 2012 has great special effects. or Hurt Locker is a good Blu-ray to check out your subs and are they in the right place. I looked at the SSA-50 but money was a issue then.... Christmas.