Surround sound at all times?

[23nesnes]

I just bought a vizio vht510 soundbar system because my space is limited. It sounds good but my issue is that the rear speakers only play if I'm watching something that's made to be in surround sound. I want to be able to have surround sound no matter what I'm watching. Whether I'm watching satellite tv, the news, or just playing video games? Is this possible? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fuzz092888]

As far as I can tell no you cannot (I skimmed the owners manual). The only way to get the rears playing noises when the signal does not call for them is with all channel stereo which you cannot do with this system.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not familiar with that soundbar, and I can't quite tell from the manual if it's possible, but try this - if you don't have the SRS TruSurround HD enabled, turn that on. In the troubleshooting section, it says to turn that on if you don't hear sound from your surround speakers, and that setting is recommended for movies and TV.

 

[23nesnes]

Thanks. So what type of system would I need to buy to get surround sound all the time? What kind of features do I need to look for?

 

[Adam]

Thanks. So what type of system would I need to buy to get surround sound all the time? What kind of features do I need to look for?

I guess the TruSurround setting didn't work?

Which TV do you have this connected to, and how (analog, optical)? Maybe (it's a long shot) your TV will have a setting that will work.

 

[23nesnes]

No it didn't. I'm also using a 47 LCD tv. With the optical cable.

 

[Adam]

What's the model number of the TV? Knowing that, we can check out the owners manual. Like I said, it's a long shot that the TV will have a setting, but we can look.

 

[23nesnes]

Vizio E470VA is a LCD tv

 

[Adam]

I skimmed through the user manual for your TV, and it also lists having SRS TruSurround HD setting. According to page 37 of the manual:

SRS TruSurround HD (TM) –- Turn the simulated surround feature On or Off.

I suggest turning that on to see if it does anything. If it doesn't, try leaving it on and also changing the "Digital Audio Out" audio setting to "Forced PCM."

 

[23nesnes]

Yeah I tried all the menu options under the audio settings. I just recently bought it so I still got time to return it for something else. You have any suggestions on what to look for if I want to be able to have surround sound all the time?

 

[sterling shoote]

Most any surround sound receiver or pre/pro in addition to having Dolby Digital and DTS processing will have selectable matrix sound fields to enhance stereo material to your liking. Some of the sound fields will send signals to the rear speakers for a reflective effect.