Trying to get 5.1 sound out my smart TV.

[John Freeman]

I have a new Visio smart TV with an optical out audio connection. I am trying to get 5.1 sound from the TV through my Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH receiver. The only sound I can get is 2 channel, when I change the TV audio settings to bitstream (which the manual says supports 5.1 sound) the Pioneer receiver emits no sound at all. I looked in the Pioneer manual and in the MACC set-up menu on the receiver and I could not find anything. Help me with what I am missing.
Thank you,

 

[j_garcia]

If the TV is not receiving a channel that is broadcasting a 5.1 signal then you won't get 5.1. Bitstream just means it is capable of passing 5.1, that does not mean all broadcasts are in 5.1. What source are you using for what you are watching? Normally, you go through the receiver first and let it pick up the audio that way, then to the TV from the receiver. Does the TV have HDMI? You can also use ARC (audio return channel), providing the TV supports it, to pass audio to the receiver via HDMI.

 

[markw]

I think, and I could be wrong, is the only 5.1 audio will come from OTA stations that broadcast 5.1 that are received by the TV's internal ATSC tuner. Anything else fed to and through the TV will come out stereo.

 

[John Freeman]

Hello J Garcia, I am trying to access Netflix and You Tube through the TV and send the sound to the receiver. The Netflix shows and movies are usually in 5.1 audio format. I think it is a setting in the receiver that I cannot figure out. Because when I view a blu ray or cable box it is automatically 5.1. Of course I am using HDMI for those connections. But the only audio out that I can find is the optical or two RCA jacks (stereo). Yes the TV has HDMI, it is brand new 4K and has four HDMI ports. I will check on ARC, I do not know much about it.

 

[John Freeman]

Thank you Mark, BTW how do you add information about my systems to my signature? In fact how do I generate a signature?

 

[j_garcia]

I see, so the media streams for Netflix vary by device. It may say 5.1 is available but some devices may only give you stereo. Even with ARC, you may not get 5.1 from the TV for Netfilx.

 

[markw]

Thank you Mark, BTW how do you add information about my systems to my signature? In fact how do I generate a signature?

I don't know how to add a list of your systems but if you go to the top blue banner, the third icon from the right (next to the flag and envelope), provides access to your profile.

That give you many options such as uploading a picture for your avatar. putting a sig line in your posts and other nifty stuff.

Welcome, have fun and we like imaginative avatars. ...and a good joke. Warning: don't EVER feed me a straight line.

 

[John Freeman]

Well, Mark, then I have cables to sell you or anybody else. They have magic fairy dust on them so they sound better. I realize that might not be funny to some people. But I kind of crack up when I how seriously some people take that subject.

 

[John Freeman]

People, I think the TV is outputting a bitstream signal via the toslink cable. The Pioneer Receiver is just not recognizing it. I need to get it to recognize and decode the signal.

 

[lovinthehd]

The avr should automatically decode whatever it is capable of, so I think the problem is your tv isn't passing on but 2-ch info. Very common, my tv only passes stereo either by HDMI ARC or optical/toslink for all but OTA content, none of my tv's apps do, particularly Netflix. I prefer Netflix on my PS3 anyways and that way I can get even DD+ which doesn't get passed back via HDMI ARC/Toslink afaik. How about your bluray player's apps?

ps Your avr should allow you to matrix the 2.0 to 5.1, sometimes that's not too bad if you want 5.1....

 

[John Freeman]

Thank you I will try that. Trying to keep it simple for the wife. The apps are TV are easier than the Blu-Ray player (newer I think). I will try and see it can get her to like it.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thank you I will try that. Trying to keep it simple for the wife. The apps are TV are easier than the Blu-Ray player (newer I think). I will try and see it can get her to like it.

You will be better off that way. Smart TV is a misnomer, they are dumb as rocks! The TV is the wrong place to put Apps. It is awkward always. It needs to be source to receiver or pre/pro to TV always. Going backwards from TV to receiver will always be fraught with problems.

In a good system after initial set up, the only TV button you should ever need is the on/off button. Life is simpler that way, including for your wife.

I'm yet to use an app on a dumb TV.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thank you I will try that. Trying to keep it simple for the wife. The apps are TV are easier than the Blu-Ray player (newer I think). I will try and see it can get her to like it.

Do you have a universal remote like a Harmony? Activity based remotes might make it easier at least. My tv apps aren't as easy to use as my PS3 or S5100 players from what I remember....been a while.

 

[Don G.]

Spend $149 and get an Apple TV. Very simple, has HDMI out you can feed directly into the receiver and you can watch Netflix directly from that box or you can stream any number of movie apps through your iPhone or iPad if you have those.