Pioneer VSX-01 TXH - simple assistance needed

[Niko]

A family member recently asked me to help them out with some difficulties they have been having with the receiver. For some reason, I haven't been able to figure it out, but I'm sure you guys know how to fix this issue, it's a fairly simple one.

He's having problems getting surround sound from all of his sources. For example, from his DirecTV receiver. All connections are via HDMI. He's receiving no response from his 2 rear channels and the subwoofer(and possibly the center). However, when running tests, all speakers give the test tone. Can anyone help me with this?

 

[TLS Guy]

A family member recently asked me to help them out with some difficulties they have been having with the receiver. For some reason, I haven't been able to figure it out, but I'm sure you guys know how to fix this issue, it's a fairly simple one.

He's having problems getting surround sound from all of his sources. For example, from his DirecTV receiver. All connections are via HDMI. He's receiving no response from his 2 rear channels and the subwoofer(and possibly the center). However, when running tests, all speakers give the test tone. Can anyone help me with this?

The default on the Direct TV receiver is two channel. You have to enable 5.1 on the Direct TV box.

 

[Niko]

Thank you very much!

 

[zumbo]

What comes to mind for me is that many programs are not broadcast in surround. With my receiver, I select PLII movie for those channels, and the receiver automatically switches to real surround when the program is broadcast in surround.

PLII movie simulates surround for the non-surround programming(as with any other surround option). I will switch to PLII music for a concert, or like. Always forget to switch back to PLII movie though.

 

[Niko]

Oh ok, I'll keep that in mind, didn't know - I have a feeling my memory may be just as faulty as yours though, lol.

I have one more question. In my home theater setup, I have issues getting surround when trying to play movies through iTunes on my laptop. It's also connected through HDMI. Where would I find the settings in a standard Windows PC to tweak the settings?

 

[zumbo]

I am not familiar with iTunes. Pretty sure it's the same situation. If the material is surround, it will be in surround. If not, then you need to select a surround program to simulate on the receiver.

When I listen to 2-channel music, I keep it that way.

The only reason I simulate surround on tv, is to get the vocals/voices sent to my center channel so the sound will be in-line with the picture.