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Need help with sound configuration

post #1 of 2
10/10/09 at 11:56am
Thread Starter 
Sony DA3ES a/v receiver
Vizio GV47L (fhdtv)
cable box- Toshiba DCT700us
Boston acoustics speakers (5) and Sony powered subwoofer

I can't tell if I have something connected wrong, or if the receiver is configured wrong.

The problem is the audio signal sent both for the TV and DVD is much less than for the CD player.  If I just play a regular music CD (using analog or coaxial connections) it sounds great...lots of volume and subwoofer signal.  However, when playing the TV or a DVD movie (with analog or coaxial connection), it sounds okay, but I need to turn the volume up at least halfway and there is very little subwoofer volume.  Both the TV and DVD volume is the same.  Both are using Pro Logic Cinema ex A 5.1 (The CD defaults to the four speakers and subwoofer, no center speaker).

The TV signal is by cable that goes to the small cable box, and then cable to the TV.  The cable box has one set of analog audio connections I've connected to the TV/Sat inputs on the receiver.

The DVD player is connected to the TV buy HDMI and digital coaxial audio.

I realize there is much more info necessary, but thought someone might have come aross this.  If not, I'll supply all the info I can.

Thanks very much for your help.
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post #2 of 2
10/10/09 at 9:04pm
Is the Sony a very old receiver? I did a search at Sony's site, and nothing is there for that model number.
Having no center speaker, make sure the center is disabled in the receiver's setup menus. That way, it will create a "phantom center", and not try to send a signal to something that's not there. Afterall, especially with dvd movies, a lot of the sound comes from the center speaker.

I wouldn't use Pro Logic with dvds, or HD channels on tv. Pro Logic is simulated surround sound. Set the receiver to "Auto", and it should automatically detect Dolby 5.1 soundtracks, from anything that's playing. If no 5.1 soundtrack, then I'd use DPL or DPL II. About all dvds, except very old ones, have 5.1 soundtracks on them. And a lot of HD channels broadcast in 5.1 surround.

Everything I find online about a DCT700us cable box, says it's a Motorola, not Toshiba. It also says it's a digital cable box, so it should have an optical or digital coax output for audio. You need to connect one of those to the Sony receiver's DBS/SAT input for audio. If you get no sound that way, you'll need to assign the input to the DBS/SAT.

Quote:
The DVD player is connected to the TV buy HDMI and digital coaxial audio.
The tv has a digital coax input?
Or do you have HDMI going to tv, and digital coax going to the Sony? (should be this way)
Go into the dvd player's setup menus, and make sure the audio output is set to "Bitstream", and not PCM. You may also have to turn on DTS. DTS may be enabled when you set to Bitstream too. When watching a movie with a DTS soundtrack, you'll need to manually choose the DTS track. It won't do it automatically. A lot of us prefer the DTS track, over the Dolby 5.1 track.

Finally, has the speakers been calibrated? Each speaker needs to be the same volume at the seating position. If the receiver doesn't have the auto calibration feature, the only way to do this right, is with an SPL (sound pressure level) meter and calibration disc. Radio Shack sells the meters. You can get an Avia disc from Amazon.com for calibration purposes. It will also help to calibrate your tv, to get it as good as possible, without a pro doing it.

Good luck! I hope this has helped some..............
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