Denon AVR-X1400H - Sound mode - What to choose?

[Hoggorm]

Hi,

I'm a completely new owner of a AVR-X1400H receiver and run into a few questions that I do not seem to find a good answer to in the manual:

When playing DVD or Blu Ray movies I see that the sound mode selected by the AVR varies (according to input signal I guess). I play DVDs and Blu Rays from a PS3 and my setup is 5.1

On one movie for example I can have the following options:

Stereo
Dolby Digital
Dolby D + DolbyS
Dolby D + Neural:X
Multi Ch Stereo

On another movie these may be the options:

Stereo
DTS-HD MSTR
DTS-HD + DolbyS
DTS-HD + Neural:X
DTS-HD + Virtual:X
Multi Ch Stereo

And another can have these options:

Stereo
Dolby Surround
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
Multi Ch Stereo

And finally:

Stereo
Dolby TrueHD
DolbyTHD + DolbyS
DolbyTHD + Neural:X
Multi Ch Stereo

Now, my question is what mode do I select in each case?

I would assume that for a movie with 5.1 sound Stereo and Multi Ch Stereo is never selected, but the AVR seem to default to one of the options that include two modes, for example Dolby D + DolbyS, DTS-HD + DolbyS or DolbyTHD + DolbyS

I would expect that the best option would be either Dolby Digital, DTS-HD MSTR or Dolby TrueHD and not those that includes another mode as well. Or am I wrong?

What do you choose when you watch a movie?

 

[lovinthehd]

For each example was what the recorded soundtrack's codec? Seems you're bitstreaming and allowing the avr to decode whichever codec you're getting on the disk, but unclear on what the initial codec is, or whether you're applying a sound mode to that. There's probably an input information view via the avr as to what signal it's getting particularly if you're not sure.

I generally let DTS MA-HD or Dolby TrrueHD discs play back natively without adding a sound mode on top (like adding a DTS sound mode on a Dolby decode)....altho I may expand a DD soundtrack from 5 to 7 ch with Dolby PLIIx. It's still about what sounds best to you, so if you want to apply something because it sounds better to you....

 

[Hoggorm]

All these examples come from Blu-Ray and DVDs played from a PlayStation3.

The PS3 BD/DVD Audio Output Format is Bitstream as you say.

Is there a way I can default to only DTS MA-HD or Dolby TrueHD since it appears as if the AVR defaults to the first option in the list that includes two modes...?

 

[sholling]

If I understand your question, the means of setting surround modes is not obvious and the manual really isn't much help. There is a "Pure" button on your remote (bottom right) that lets you toggle between "Auto" and "Direct" that handles this and if memory serves the mode displays briefly on your AVR as you toggle between the two. I just leave mine on "Auto" and let the smarts of the AVR choose the right format for movies and music.

From the manual: Auto

"This mode detects the type of input digital signal, and automatically selects the corresponding mode for playback."​

http://manuals.denon.com/AVRX1400H/EU/EN/GFNFSYlqlymuqz.php

 

[Hoggorm]

Thank you. I'll try that

 

[lovinthehd]

All these examples come from Blu-Ray and DVDs played from a PlayStation3.

The PS3 BD/DVD Audio Output Format is Bitstream as you say.

Is there a way I can default to only DTS MA-HD or Dolby TrueHD since it appears as if the AVR defaults to the first option in the list that includes two modes...?

If you let the avr use the native signal, it will choose whatever the disc is encoded in, either DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD. If you then change from that detected codec by the avr I believe your avr will remember that for the next time you use that codec, so just leave it to DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD and then future discs should play that way. Or you can have the PS3 do the decoding and send LPCM to your avr...