New 4306 owner

[csavell]

Hello, total newb here but finally got all my new HT stuff installed.

Here is my questions:
1. Is it typical to not get any sound till I turn it up to around -40db? Should I be able to actually stand listenting to +2db? on the volume knob. I assumed this would blow me away.

2. I have played several DTS dvd's and I have the input set on auto on the 4306 and it will not play them in DTS, its always PCM...is this a big deal?

This thing was a bit complicated for a newb like myself to set up and I might have done it all wrong. I did go through the auto setup though and place the mic in 6 sections.

Any help / suggestions would be great!

Here is my setup:
Sanyo Z5 on 110" screen (hdmi to AVR)
4306
Oppo DVD DV981HD player (hdmi to AVR)
Dish Networks 622 (hdmi to AVR)
AV123 850 fronts / 200 sig center / 300 sides
HSU MK2.3 sub
room is 15x18 with side sloped ceilings on the right

 

[MDS]

1. Is it typical to not get any sound till I turn it up to around -40db? Should I be able to actually stand listenting to +2db? on the volume knob. I assumed this would blow me away.

-40 dB is a LONG WAY from the maximum output of the receiver, so yes it is normal. You really need to calibrate to make sure the channels are all level - either using the auto setup or manually with the internal test tones and an SPL meter.

2. I have played several DTS dvd's and I have the input set on auto on the 4306 and it will not play them in DTS, its always PCM...is this a big deal?

It's a big deal if you wanted to hear the DTS soundtrack.

Most DVDs default to either the DD or PCM soundtrack and you have to manually select the DTS version from the DVD menu (disc menu, not player menu).

I suspect however that is not the problem. More likely you have the players output set to PCM instead of Bitstream. If you are using a digital connection from the player to the receiver, the player is set to bitstream, and the receiver is set to Auto, you should get DTS sound if you select the DTS track from the DVD menu. The receiver's display should then indicate that it is DTS.

 

[Geno]

Yeah, -40db is practically turned off. As a fellow 4306 owner, I'm here to tell you that this beast has a lot of "gotchas" built in. You must pay very close attention to the setup choices, particularly with your DVD/CD player. As MDS just posted, the most seemingly insignificant details of the setup can wreak havoc with the way this thing receives and processes the various inputs. On the bright side, the 4306 can really blow your socks off once you've got it configured properly. My socks are frequently blown off

 

[jmrife]

Hello, total newb here but finally got all my new HT stuff installed.

Here is my questions:
1. Is it typical to not get any sound till I turn it up to around -40db? Should I be able to actually stand listenting to +2db? on the volume knob. I assumed this would blow me away.

2. I have played several DTS dvd's and I have the input set on auto on the 4306 and it will not play them in DTS, its always PCM...is this a big deal?


1. Normal operation

2. Are you sure your player is outputting DTS? If so, auto should work. Or cycle through the processing options on the 4306 until you hit DTS. If that doesn't work, your unit may not be seeing a DTS stream.

 

[csavell]

So all I need is my HDMI cord from my DVD to AVR to receive DTS? If its outputing DTS that is.

thanks everyone for your help!

 

[WeAreSurrounded]

Are you sure your player is outputting DTS? If so, auto should work. Or cycle through the processing options on the 4306 until you hit DTS. If that doesn't work, your unit may not be seeing a DTS stream.

Well, AUTO or DTS (Input Mode) would work the same way in this case: should detect the DTS signal if it was coming. But most likely it's not coming, as his Oppo player setup defaults (or was set) to sending out the PCM signal versus bitstream.