Home Theater Forum - View Single Post - Please help me troubleshoot my audio problem

Jon_Are · 04-11-2008, 09:13 PM

(When answering my questions, please assume I know next-to-nothing about this; you won’t be far wrong)

I haven’t used my theater system much at all recently for a variety of reasons. I fired it up today to watch a movie and was surprised to find that the audio was coming from the L and R front speakers only; nothing at all from the rears, the center, or the sub. Just as I began fiddling with the connections on the back of the receiver, I lost all audio (and it remains lost).

I’ve tried all the obvious troubleshooting steps already: looking for disconnected cables, ensuring all power is on, and pushing all buttons in sight randomly and in every possible configuration.

I do have audio from the television (via the receiver) as well as the tuner and CD player; the problem resides within the DVD/receiver communication. I should also mention that when I test my speakers from within the receiver I hear a tone on each of the five speakers as it should.

The DVD player is a Sony (DVP-NS575P) and the receiver is a Pioneer (VSX-D510).

I run component cables from the DVD to the TV for video and use a coaxial cable from the DVD to the receiver for audio.

Now, here’s where I want to start: there are so many audio modes and options within the receiver, I’m baffled as to which I should be using. If someone could give me the lowdown on each of these (and which I should be selecting), that would be a good beginning.

On the receiver, there is:
1.A DIRECT button. Pushing this lights up a light on the panel that says DIRECT.
2.A MONITOR button. Pushing this lights up MONITOR and ANALOG together; pushing it again turns off the MONITOR light and changes the ANALOG indicator to DIGITAL.
3.A DVD5.1CH button. Pushing this alternates between DVD 5.1 CH and DVD/LD.
4.A DSP MODE button. Pushing this takes me through a menu of JAZZ, DANCE, THEATER, etc. After running through about seven of these, I can also select DSP OFF.
5.A SIGNAL SELECT button. This doesn’t seem to do anything, at least it changes no indicator lights.
6.A button that has a DOLBY icon/DTS. Pushing this lights up PROLOGIC or PROLOGIC-DSP. It also runs through another series of modes including ACTION, DRAMA, MUSICAL, EXPANDED and STANDARD. When STANDARD is selected, DSP is off (it’s on with all the others).

I have a feeling that some magic combination of these settings will get me my sound back. If anyone can enlighten me to these mysterious settings, or suggest another avenue of troubleshooting, I’d be appreciative.

If you need more information, please ask.

Thanks a ton,

Jon

04-11-2008, 09:13 PM	#1 of 6
Jon_Are Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Local Time: 11:59 PM Local Date: 10-11-2008 Posts: 2,019	Please help me troubleshoot my audio problem (When answering my questions, please assume I know next-to-nothing about this; you won’t be far wrong) I haven’t used my theater system much at all recently for a variety of reasons. I fired it up today to watch a movie and was surprised to find that the audio was coming from the L and R front speakers only; nothing at all from the rears, the center, or the sub. Just as I began fiddling with the connections on the back of the receiver, I lost all audio (and it remains lost). I’ve tried all the obvious troubleshooting steps already: looking for disconnected cables, ensuring all power is on, and pushing all buttons in sight randomly and in every possible configuration. I do have audio from the television (via the receiver) as well as the tuner and CD player; the problem resides within the DVD/receiver communication. I should also mention that when I test my speakers from within the receiver I hear a tone on each of the five speakers as it should. The DVD player is a Sony (DVP-NS575P) and the receiver is a Pioneer (VSX-D510). I run component cables from the DVD to the TV for video and use a coaxial cable from the DVD to the receiver for audio. Now, here’s where I want to start: there are so many audio modes and options within the receiver, I’m baffled as to which I should be using. If someone could give me the lowdown on each of these (and which I should be selecting), that would be a good beginning. On the receiver, there is: 1.A DIRECT button. Pushing this lights up a light on the panel that says DIRECT. 2.A MONITOR button. Pushing this lights up MONITOR and ANALOG together; pushing it again turns off the MONITOR light and changes the ANALOG indicator to DIGITAL. 3.A DVD5.1CH button. Pushing this alternates between DVD 5.1 CH and DVD/LD. 4.A DSP MODE button. Pushing this takes me through a menu of JAZZ, DANCE, THEATER, etc. After running through about seven of these, I can also select DSP OFF. 5.A SIGNAL SELECT button. This doesn’t seem to do anything, at least it changes no indicator lights. 6.A button that has a DOLBY icon/DTS. Pushing this lights up PROLOGIC or PROLOGIC-DSP. It also runs through another series of modes including ACTION, DRAMA, MUSICAL, EXPANDED and STANDARD. When STANDARD is selected, DSP is off (it’s on with all the others). I have a feeling that some magic combination of these settings will get me my sound back. If anyone can enlighten me to these mysterious settings, or suggest another avenue of troubleshooting, I’d be appreciative. If you need more information, please ask. Thanks a ton, Jon