Getting 7.1 from my Onkyo HT-R530

[Clintotron]

Can anyone tell me why my speakers never seem to operate under 7.1 no matter what setting my receiver is on? Is there some input that I'm not using correctly, or at all? All my speakers are connected and work during the receiver's volume calibration test.

 

[MDS]

Unless you are playing a native 7.1 source you have to use one of the matrix decoders, like PLIIx, to get 7.1.

You can press the 'surr' button on the remote to cycle through them. You can also set your preferred listening mode for each format in the setup menus so you don't have to change the mode each time. The default setting is usually 'last valid' so once you change the listening mode for a given format the receiver will remember that choice.

 

[Clintotron]

Even with PLIIx, I don't get audio from the surround rear. I would like the least processed sound possible. This is NOT mandatory, but I would like to use all the speakers I paid for. I am using a Sony BluRay player. I believe the only audio out is optical. At least that's what I'm using. I can check.

 

[MDS]

A BluRay player will always have HDMI connections because it is required for high resolution audio. The optical digital output cannot carry 7.1 in any format nor can it carry multi-channel PCM so you're going to need to use HDMI if playing BluRays with 7.1 audio.

If you can select PLIIx as the decoder but don't get sound from the rear surrounds then it could be a configuration problem or speaker issue. If the receiver thought there were no surround rear speakers then you wouldn't even be able to select PLIIx.

 

[Clintotron]

I don't have HDMI inputs on my receiver. Is there ANY WAY this receiver could actually produce true 7.1 surround? It has 3 optical, 1 coax and the regular old RCA jacks...

 

[MDS]

It can produce 7.1 from practically any format and any connection type. PLIIx can produce 7.1 from 2 channel analog (the RCA jacks), 2 channel digital formats like PCM or Dolby Digital 2.0, DD or DTS 5.1, etc.

When you say you've tried 'every setting', what kind of settings are you talking about? I'll have to get the manual to see if there is anything strange about that model receiver, but if it is a 7.1 receiver you should get 7.1 if everything is configured correctly.

Play a CD and press the listening mode button until the display says 'All Ch Stereo'. If that doesn't use all 7.1 speakers then something is configured incorrectly.

 

[Clintotron]

Thanks, man. The settings to which I which I was referring are the "Listening Modes" that Onkyo has integrated into the receiver. I just wanted a channel-for-channel direct sound, to hear the movie as it was intended. I supposed I'll just have to get a better receiver with HDMI support. The All Channels Stereo worked just fine. I'll also be getting some better speakers, but that may be a ways down the road. I really appreciate your help.

 

[Clintotron]

For clarity, the matrix decoders are creating 7.1 channels from 5.1 channels? I supposed I need the HDMI-capable receiver to experience all of the 7 original channels, instead of the synthesized channels. Right?

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, Blu-ray is the only format that has 7 discrete channels. All DVDs are 6.1 and are matrixed into 7.1 (no DVDs are encoded in 7.1 in other words), so to get 7 discrete channels you would either need a player that decodes internally and passes the signal via 7ch analog output or via HDMI with a receiver that can decode it.

 

[Rockett2wice]

Volume levels People

Yes, Blu-ray is the only format that has 7 discrete channels. All DVDs are 6.1 and are matrixed into 7.1 (no DVDs are encoded in 7.1 in other words), so to get 7 discrete channels you would either need a player that decodes internally and passes the signal via 7ch analog output or via HDMI with a receiver that can decode it.

Try pushing the right arrow next to the surround and stereo buttons, over to All chst with the remote, then push the button CH SEL until it gets to the Rear surround L then push the +level button until it reaches 12db then, push the channel select again until all the surround levels are at +12 db , take 2 tylenol. This machine is designed to function until you spill water on it while operating, once all the levels are at their max you should her sound, if not then you most likely have a fried channel, Highly unlikely with this Onkyo reciever.. Have nice day