Funny surround problem: Pioneer VSX-520

[soliptic]

Hey.. well I am an audio noob but not a tech noob. I've spent hours googling this problem and I get utterly zip so I would definately appreciate any kind of help since I am almost screaming in frustration over this.

I have just connected a Pioneer VSX-520-S/-K receiver to a set of sherwood surround speakers. When I do the automatic mic setup, all speakers and the subwoofer emit test static and the setup completes. If I set the receiver to force surround, all the speakers play. So the speakers work...

However, if I set the receiver to auto detect surround settings as the manual recommends, and try to play a DVD or PC audio, only the front 2 speakers emit any noise at all. This is running a DVD through a ps3, HDMi to receiver and HDMi to television. The DVD is set to run in DOlby 5.1 in the DVD menu.


Also, when I connect my PC through analog audio plugs to the receiver, no sound will play through any speakers except FL and FR during audio setup and testing.

I have tried to solve this myself, I hate to post about something that must surely be very simple (!?) but I am now at the point where Im just recycling all my attempts at fixes and I am just totally lost.

THanks.

 

[m_vanmeter]

the computer connection is easy....red/white analog connections are stereo only.

The PS3 connection is a different issue and I am certainly not a PS3 guy, so the only suggestion I can make is that you check the PS3 setup menu and see what the console is sending through the HDMI in the way of audio coding.

Do you have a simple dirt-ball $30 DVD player with optical or digital audio output to test the AVR with ?

 

[soliptic]

Aha! It worked. I didn't realise that about analog cables, and the ps3 hdmi actually was carrying surround; just for some reason my pulp fiction dvd wasnt outputting to anything except FL and FR. I chucked in Dumbo and got instant surround.

Pity the movie is a steaming pile of elephant excrement.

Thanks for the help.