5.1 surround question

[jlyttle]

If I set my receiver to all channel sterio, I can hear sound from all speakers. If I run the test tones, all speakers work. But when I watch a DVD, I never seem to hear a peep from the rear surrounds. Any ideas?

 

[mtrycrafts]

If I set my receiver to all channel sterio, I can hear sound from all speakers. If I run the test tones, all speakers work. But when I watch a DVD, I never seem to hear a peep from the rear surrounds. Any ideas?

Firstly, you need to set the DVD player for DD 5.1 out.
Then, you need to set the receiver to auto detect, or forced DD 5.1. and use the digital connection.

 

[supervij]

Also, some DVDs (mostly dialogue-driven movies/TV shows) don't have much going on in the surround department. And some DVDs use the surrounds for ambiance only, which means you may not be able to pinpoint those sounds as coming from them. Some DVDs use the surrounds pretty heavily for directional cues, which would be more noticeable.

But since you posted in the receiver section, mtrycrafts' response may be more appropriate for you, so I'll just shut my yap now.

cheers,
supervij

 

[MDS]

By all means keep yapping supervij. I think you covered it pretty well.

 

[jlyttle]

I will use the Stars Wars DVD's as examples. The DVD is set for 5.1, and I have tried all of the surround options on the Onkyo receiver. Don't get me wrong, the sound is awesome, it just seems like I might have some setting not quite right.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I will use the Stars Wars DVD's as examples. The DVD is set for 5.1, and I have tried all of the surround options on the Onkyo receiver. Don't get me wrong, the sound is awesome, it just seems like I might have some setting not quite right.

If you are using the digital cables to the receiver, it indicates a 5.1 audio reception from the DVD, and still not happy with that sound, you may need to level match your channels? Or, you may be expecting too much from the surrounds. It will not sound like that 5 ch stereo, equal volume to all speakers.

 

[jlyttle]

If you are using the digital cables to the receiver, it indicates a 5.1 audio reception from the DVD, and still not happy with that sound, you may need to level match your channels? Or, you may be expecting too much from the surrounds. It will not sound like that 5 ch stereo, equal volume to all speakers.

Maybe so, I will play with it. I understand that volume will not be equal to the fronts, it just seemed like I was hearing nothing, I was expecting to hear some sounds from behind me.

 

[Nick250]

I will use the Stars Wars DVD's as examples. The DVD is set for 5.1, and I have tried all of the surround options on the Onkyo receiver. Don't get me wrong, the sound is awesome, it just seems like I might have some setting not quite right.

To me this sounds more like a speaker/room acoustics issue rather than a receiver issue. What speakers are you using including the sub? I bought the original Star Wars trilogy (the reissue of ones from way back when) about a year ago. To my ears the sound was pretty poor (lack of dynamic range) and the LFE's pretty anemic.

Nick

 

[MDS]

Also try a few different movies that are known to make good use of the surrounds, like Lord of the Rings.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Maybe so, I will play with it. I understand that volume will not be equal to the fronts, it just seemed like I was hearing nothing, I was expecting to hear some sounds from behind me.

As was explained above, DVD sound in surround comes at different levels depending on the movie. Check level matching, the indicator on the receiver, ensuring digital is connected (coax or optical) and may want to get close to those rears and listen.
You may also want to replay the soundtrack and switch to stereo only and see if there is a difference. Other than these, not being there, it is hard to tell.
Delos has some DVDs with music on them and one called DVD Spectacular, has 4 or 5 DD trailers with impressive surrounds