No DVD-Audio thru optical audio cbl on Pioneer DV588

[Quadzilla]

Hi All,
I tried to play Diana Krall's "Love Scenes" DVD-A on my new DV588 but could not get any sound from either the stereo or surround tracks. The menu displayed and seemed to function fine but I got no sound at all. This same DVDA played fine in surround mode on my old Panasonic RV41 through the same optical connection the DV588'S connected to. The 588's manual does says "SACDs and DVD-Audio discs do not output digital audio. Listen
through the player’s analog audio outputs." under the troubleshooting section for no sound. I've heard of this about SACD but not DVDA. Can anyone clarify this? I'm assuming it's the design of the Pioneer unit considering the disc played fine on my old player. The Pioneer does play DTS & Dolby D fine.

Also, can someone recommend a good brand & source for the 5.1 analog cables? Thanks!

Dan

 

[BGLeduc]

First, true five channel DVD-A will not work through a standard optical or coax digital connection. Not sure what your other player was doing, but best bet is that it was finding the Dolby Digital tracks.

Take a look in your player's menus. There is likely a setting for DVD discs that tells it whether to use the DVD-V section, or the DVD-A section. If you choose DVD-V, your digital connection should work.

Once you get a set of 5.1 analog cables, then go back and reset the player for DVD-A.

While some may disagree, there is no need to blow a wad on cables. Any regular red/white audio cables will work fine. If you don't have anything, then you can buy something at Radio Shack (stay away from Monster!), or on-line at Parts Express (I like their house brand; Dayton Audio).

Brian

 

[j_garcia]

Nearly all hires players out there require than you use the analog connections for hires tracks. SACD and DVD-A cannot be passed via the standard digital connections for copy protection reasons. They can be passed digitally via firewire and proprietary digital connections, for which both the player and receiver must have the capability.

If you choose the DVD-V portion of the disc, which any DVD player can play, you are not hearing the hires DVD-A tracks.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I bought a new 6' set of Acoustic Research Pro Series II SACD/DVDA cables for $33 of of Ebay. I'm happy with them and have no compaints for the price (msrp $99). The difference in sound quality though between those and the three sets of $6 cables I bought at Radio Shack they replaced, isn't enough to justify spending $100+ for audio cables. If you get a good deal on cables and you are happy with the price, buy them for piece of mind. Don't go out and spend an @$$load of money for audio cables, it won't make that much of a difference. IMHO.

BTW, I did notice a HUGE improvement when I put quality video cables in.