Onkyo HT-R380 & PC Soundcard - Digital Sound Settings

[cantthinkofname]

Hi All,

I wondered if anyone can help me figure out a problem I'm having with my amp.

I've done some diagrams to help explain it!

I have my digital sound card from my PC connected via optical cable to the GAME port.

When I play certain downloaded movies (legit) that come with Dolby Digital or DTS, using VLC player I set the audio output option to be 'A/52 over S/PDIF' within VLC (films with Dolby D).

This then sets the amp 'input source' lights to show up as Dolby D, for example, and I can set the 'listening mode' to Dolby D which is just what I'm after.

However, some films or DVD's with Dolby D or DTS show the 'Input signal' lit up as Dolby D but the listening mode of Doly D cannot be set - SEE PIC 1.

So I am not getting the full surround sound output from the films, as I have to it to 'PL II Movie' mode for example.

Can anyone tell me why this is please? Is VLC still doing the decoding for me and not my amp?

thanks

 

[MDS]

Don't know what A/52 means but if the receiver's display indicates Dolby D then you know that VLC is sending the bitstream and the receiver is decoding it. Dolby Digital is not a 'listening mode' that you can select - if the stream is in DD 5.1 format, the receiver automatically selects the DD decoder.

Dolby Digital comes in many flavors. If the source is DD 2.0 then you can select stereo and hear both channels (and the DD light will still light because it is DD - just 2.0 and not 5.1). You can select PLII Movie/Music/Game and any number of other matrix decoders to turn DD 2.0 into 5.1. Other DD flavors include DD 1.0 and DD 3.1 but are rarely seen.

You can press the 'display' button on the remote to see the format of the incoming signal. I'm certain it is going to say DD 2/0 or something other than DD 3/2.1.

 

[cantthinkofname]

MDS, thanks for the reply.

I checked the input when running one of these files and you're right, the input source was Dolby D but only 2.0.

Which explains why the amp wouldnt switch to Dolby D 5.1 and I had to play it using PL II Movie.

Thanks again.