Audio Woes...Need Help

[Whitey80]

I am using a Pioneer Elite VSX41, late model Xbox 360

I cannot get the optical audio to work at all. I have set the recievers DVD input to optical 1, turned the Xbox's output to digital 5.1. When I turn everything on. I get no sound this way.
I have tried using all the different optical inputs on the receiver and changing that input from the menu. Get nothing on digital channels. I can get all to work fine through RCA connections.
The Xbox outputs through HDMI as well, but the VSX41 is older and has no HDMI inputs.
Also, if I were somehow able to get the optical working from my tv to the receiver, since the HDMI runs to the tv, would it still pass the full digital signal out to the receiver?
The biggest problem is that I just replaced my old towers and center with a Mirage Omnisat UNI and the center channel is sounding very weak unless the sound coming through is at a peak, it causes a very annoying surging effect.
I never noticed this with my old setup. If I change the way the receiver processes or swap speaker cables around, The center works fine (leading me to believe it is in the way the receiver is processing surround sound, not the speaker itself) So a true digital, surround signal may (hopefully) solve my problem.

 

[Whitey80]

It is also quite possible that I am mentally deficient, but your help is appreciated

 

[Nomo]

I'm not familiar with that model of Pioneer but it's possible that has model has assignable inputs. You would need to go into the menu to see if they can be changed.

 

[MDS]

If the xbox is configured properly and you did the input assignments on the receiver but it only works for analog connections then it is possible that the receiver's input format is set to analog only. On most receivers, 'Auto' is the default but maybe it's different on the Pioneer or it was inadvertantly changed.

Another thing to check is that you don't have the same optical input assigned to more than one input selector. Strangely receivers will let you do that but then not actually work.

Regarding the TV optical out, some TVs will pass DD to the optical out if the source was HDMI (Toshiba and I think some Sony) but many will only output digital audio if the source is the TV's internal tuner.

 

[Whitey80]

Inputs are properly assigned, it is switched to digital input, the output has been tried with dobly digital and pcm (both are supported by receiver). My receiver just might not be working properly I suppose

 

[rnatalli]

Try using another optical cable and/or try a coaxial cable.