I really need some help

rodeman · 09-13-2007, 09:35 AM

We'll I think technology has passed me by. I'm nearly 40 and 20 years ago, I knew exactly what I wanted and how to make things work with my audio and video equipment. Today, I feel like I have no clue.

I have a Sony STR-DG710 receiver that I just purchased along with a set of KEF 3005 home theater speakers. I have Cox digital cable with an HD converter box, a Pioneer HD television and a Pioneer CD player.

I use optical cables from the converter box and DVD player to the Sony receiver along with good cables for the video and subwoofer on all my units. Plus I have a Tivo unit and a wii. It doesn't sound like I'm lost, but I am.

The receiver has too many functions and I can't figure out what I should use where. I use the receiver all the time when the television is on. Last night, for example, we were watching the news. The volume was very low, so we turn up the receiver and boom, a commercial comes on an it's blaring. So we turn it down. Then the news comes on again and you can't hear anything again. I have the same problem with other channels. The volume level being broadcast is not the same on each one. My old JVC receiver never did this but I never used an optical cable for the audio either. Could this be part of the problem? I have twin boys 1.5 years old who I don't want to wake up, so I can't have the loud volume when they are in bed.

I'm hoping someone can point me to some good info to help me understand what's happening or what to do. The best buy/circuit city guys are not much help. All they do is turn the volume up in the store and say "see it sounds great." I need some advice from people who really know.

Thanks,
John

Andrew Pratt · 09-13-2007, 05:29 PM

When you say KEF speakers do you have just the fronts of a full set of surrounds and center as well? Have you calibrated the audio at all? The optical cable isn't really any different then stereo analog cables other then it can trasmit the data digitally so that's not the problem...at least not directly. I have a feeling the issue may be in the calibration between the mono or at least stereo commercials and possibly multi channel for the regular shows and your center speaker is set too low. As a quick test make sure that your system is set to just stereo for everything and see if that makes any difference.

rodeman · 09-13-2007, 08:18 PM

I do have the full surround system from KEF. That includes the center, fronts, rears and sub. The receiver does come with a mic and a self calibrating program. I've not done this because I"ve not been home without the kids or my wife as it needs the room to be quiet during the setup and the main room is our family room. I'll try and do it this weekend and see if it helps.

I'm still open for ideas as well. I'm reading the instruction manual but there is tons of info in it and much above my understanding.

Thanks for the help Andrew. I appreciate it.

JeremyErwin · 09-13-2007, 08:41 PM

Also investigate "Dynamic Range Compression." It should be explained in your manual (page 40).

rodeman · 09-13-2007, 08:51 PM

Thanks Jeremy, I'll look at that specifically.

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Stephen Tu · 09-13-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

The volume was very low, so we turn up the receiver and boom, a commercial comes on an it's blaring.

Yeah, the commercials intentionally jack up the volume, very annoying. As Jeremy said try the DRC on your receiver, or "midnight mode" if it has one. There can also be settings for range compression on the cable box itself, check the setup menus for audio options.

There was new technology from Dolby announced, called "Dolby volume", that is supposed to directly address this. Maybe in next year's receivers.

The other option, which I highly recommend, is to get a Tivo HD / cable DVR, and just record everything & skip over all the commercials. I've been skipping over 97% of ads for like 8 years now, so volume spikes are brief

.

rodeman · 09-14-2007, 09:00 AM

Stephen,

I took a look at the converter box and found that they had two audio settings, fixed and auto. I set it on fixed and it seems to be better as well.

Now if I can only find out why every time I change the channel on the tv, the receiver shows dolby digital 2/0. I've pushed every button and I can't even find dolby digital 2/0 in the manual. But I have sound coming from the rear speakers. There is a master reset that I may try to see if it works.

JeremyErwin · 09-14-2007, 09:53 AM

dolby digital 2/0 is merely stereo encoded with the dolby digital codec. Not everything is (or need to be) 3/2.1

Jeff Gatie · 09-14-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodeman

Stephen,

I took a look at the converter box and found that they had two audio settings, fixed and auto. I set it on fixed and it seems to be better as well.

Now if I can only find out why every time I change the channel on the tv, the receiver shows dolby digital 2/0. I've pushed every button and I can't even find dolby digital 2/0 in the manual. But I have sound coming from the rear speakers. There is a master reset that I may try to see if it works.

Most SD TV (and some HDTV) sound is broadcast in 2.0 stereo. Some of that 2.0 stereo is matrixed as Dolby Surround (Pro-Logic). The reason you are hearing sounds in your surround speakers is because your receiver is processing the Pro-Logic from the stereo source.

rodeman · 09-14-2007, 03:59 PM

Thanks everyone. I thought the Dolby 2/0 was meaning it was only in 2 channels and not being processed as a surround sound audio element. I appreciate the info.

If anyone has any more tricks that I need to know about for this Sony receiver, please let me know. I am pretty happy with the KEF 3005 series speakers we have. That seems like a good investment so far.

Thanks again.
John

Bluzman · 09-14-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodeman

I have a Sony STR-DG710 receiver that I just purchased along with a set of KEF 3005 home theater speakers. I have Cox digital cable with an HD converter box, a Pioneer HD television and a Pioneer CD player.

I use optical cables from the converter box and DVD player to the Sony receiver along with good cables for the video and subwoofer on all my units. Plus I have a Tivo unit and a wii. It doesn't sound like I'm lost, but I am.

John, just thought I'd mention that, since the DG710 processes audio received via HDMI, you could eliminate the separate digital audio cables IF the Cox HD converter box, Pioneer CD player and Pioneer HD television all include HDMI connections.