Denon AVR and 5.1

[Dennis112]

I am new to the home theater experience, and purchased a Denon 2805, and set up my 5.1 speakers.

It sounds great when I play DTS encoded DVDs, but disks which are encoded as Dolby Digital 5.1 sound underwhelming.

The sound coming out of the rear surround speakers is neglible, and the separation is not very exciting.

The input indicator on the Denon indicate that a DD signal is being received, but that the input is only to the FR and FL speakers; the output indicators are showing all 5 speakers.

Any ideas about what I am doing wrong? The mode is set to automatic.

 

[MACCA350]

the input is only to the FR and FL speakers

Sounds like your playing the DD 2channel track instead of the DD 5.1 track, and your receiver is using pro-logic to create the 5.1 output. Make sure your dvd player has sellected the 5.1 track.

 

[markw]

What he said, and also...

...you seem to be comparing music DVD's to movies. Big difference.

Music is generally mixed to take advantage of all available channels so there's generally activity all around much of the time.

Movies, OTOH, use mainly the center speaker. Some effects come from the front right/left surrounds but the rear surrounds are generally used for the occasional sound effect or atmospheric clues. IOW, ther generally ain't a lot of noise from the rear surrounds.

You might want to spend a few minutes getting acquainted with your owner's manual on this. While you might have a digital connections hooked up, you might have it (or by not specifying a digital input) set to use the r/l analog inputs.

YMMV. You're the only one that actually knows what you have and how it's set up. We're just offering suggestions.

 

[Dennis112]

...you seem to be comparing music DVD's to movies. Big difference.

Music is generally mixed to take advantage of all available channels so there's generally activity all around much of the time.

Movies, OTOH, use mainly the center speaker. Some effects come from the front right/left surrounds but the rear surrounds are generally used for the occasional sound effect or atmospheric clues. IOW, ther generally ain't a lot of noise from the rear surrounds.








YMMV. You're the only one that actually knows what you have and how it's set up. We're just offering suggestions.

I was comparing DTS movies to Dolby 5.1 movies, and the difference is like night and day.

I am going to go back and look to see if my DVD player is set correctly since you both seem to agree that the inputs should be showing all 5.1 channels. As far as the Denon manual goes it is just terrible.



Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Red]

I was comparing DTS movies to Dolby 5.1 movies, and the difference is like night and day.

I am going to go back and look to see if my DVD player is set correctly since you both seem to agree that the inputs should be showing all 5.1 channels. As far as the Denon manual goes it is just terrible.



Thanks for the suggestions.

Besides the DVD player.....be sure to check the audio set up on the actual DVD's you play.....many do NOT default to 5.1 and you have to make the adjustment prior to playing.

 

[Dennis112]

Thanks Red. I will have to check that too.