PC Configuration for Harman-Kardon AVR 70

[raghav3276]

Hi,

I recently purchased Harman-Kardon AVR 70 + JBL Cinema 300 HT system.
I've connected the AVR to the PC using HDMI, brought out from NVIDIA card.

Everything works great as per the current configuration. But, I am facing some issues while playing DTS encoded videos(I've downloaded some demo videos, just to try them out).

I am using Windows 8.1 and VLC Player to play the video. Now, I have two concerns regarding the setup :

1) First, in the windows sounds and settings, I've configured the output as 5.1 surround. In this case, when I play the video, the AVR shows "PCM", instead of "DTS". But, I am still able to feel the surround effect. Also, in this mode of configuration, I am not able to switch to Neo:6 or ProLogic-II modes.

2) In the second case, I've configured the system as 2.1 in the windows sounds and settings. Here, I am able to switch to Neo:6 and ProLogic-II modes, and still get the 5.1 effect from the DTS file.

Now my questions are as follows :

1) How will I be able to get DTS to show up on my AVR? I've read about software decoders ffdshow, and like wise. Do I need to use those to show DTS on my AVR? Or any setting in VLC will just do fine?
2) Is the DTS quality/effect same as that of PCM? How can we compare this to Neo:6 or ProLogic-II?
3) Why is that I am not able to switch to Neo:6 or ProLogic-II modes while configured the system in 5.1 configuration.

Thanks in advance
Raghav

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Try the free software XBMC on your PC. It works great outputting DTS, DTS-HD MA, DD, and Dolby TrueHD. XBMC can read MKV, ISO, MP4, AVI, etc.

 

[crossedover]

Is your goal for the soundcard / PC to do the decoding or the AVR? If the PC, it will read PCM on your AVR.

 

[raghav3276]

Try the free software XBMC on your PC. It works great outputting DTS, DTS-HD MA, DD, and Dolby TrueHD. XBMC can read MKV, ISO, MP4, AVI, etc.

Yea. I've tried xbmc. Its cool, simple UI n it worked..!!

Thanks..

 

[raghav3276]

Is your goal for the soundcard / PC to do the decoding or the AVR? If the PC, it will read PCM on your AVR.

The goal was for the avr to do the decoding. I've achieved it through xbmc.

BTW, will there be any difference sound-quality wise if I choose to decode it through PC over avr?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The goal was for the avr to do the decoding. I've achieved it through xbmc.

BTW, will there be any difference sound-quality wise if I choose to decode it through PC over avr?

I would unequivocally let the AVR do all the decoding. I've let the PC (Asus Xonar card) do the decoding before and it sucked compared to the AVR.

Absolutely love XBMC.