Audio input/output format for Onkyo S777c HTIB (1 Viewer)

[FletcherBH]

I finally got my new HTIB hooked up last night, and I was excited to watch the Helm's Deep scene from the Two Towers to test out the supposedly awesome sound. I ran into the following problem, however. Whenever I managed to get sound out of all 6 speakers, I couldn't hear the doalogue. The only way to get dialogue was to set the receiver to "stereo." This, of course, is not what I wanted. I wanted some blazingly awesome 6.1 surround sound. Otherwise, why bother?

So, I looked on the DVD, and it said it had both Dolby Digital and DTS sound. I tried setting the output format on the DVD player to DTS first and to Dolby Digital second. Then I scrolled through the available listening modes on the receiver. Every time, I got a variety of the problem described above. Then, I set the receiver to auto detect DTS or Dolby Digital (while the DVD was outputting the correct format). No dice. Finally, I just set the receiver to stereo and fell asleep.

RRRRRRRRRRR.

Any suggestions? Am I expecting too much? Should I try a different DVD?

 

[Jack Briggs]

You need to go into the DVD player and activate both Dolby Digital and DTS. Then the receiver's automatic-detection control should be enabled. Voila! Surround sound, at last.

 

[FletcherBH]

Thanks for your help.

For both DTS and Dolby Digital, my DVD player gives me the option to select "on", "off", or "auto". I'm not sure if I can set them both to "on" at the same time, but I will try it when I get home.

Will I ever have to choose between DTS and Dolby Digital? If so, how do I know what to choose?

 

[ChuckSolo]

Your player should accept both DD and DTS "On" in the audio options menu. Most DVDs with both DD and DTS soundtracks will give you the option to select either DD or DTS in the disc menu. If you don't bother to choose, the player will default to DD on its own.

 

[FletcherBH]

Made a quick check during the lunch hours, and I have discovered the following two facts:

1. I am a moron, and
2. The both of you are smart.

In the short side of five minutes, and with minimal tweaking, I learned that setting the DVD player to auto detect and output any available audio format and then selecting the specific format for output from the disc menu is clearly the way to go. Additionally, setting the receiver to automatically detect and output any available format is good. Finally, wiring your center chanel speaker to your amplifier is an absolute necessity. DOH! :b

I'm a doofus. I can't believe the whole issue was an unwired speaker...

Thanks for all your help!

Fletch-

 

[Dennis Sr]

Well how does it sound now that it's working properly??

 

[FletcherBH]

It sounds good. I have a few pieces of furniture and a ventilation grate that vibrate, though, so I need to get those issues worked out. Additionally, I need some speaker stands to get all of the speakers in the correct locations. Then I need to calibrate.

After all that, I expect that the system will be fantastic.

On another note, however, I'm not that impressed with the audio settings that simulate surround sound from the cable's stereo signal. Mostly, those settings just force most of the sound through the center channel.

Regular old "stereo" sounds pretty good though.

 

[AdamTom]

FletcherBH, i'd like to hear more of your opinion regarding this system. i'm considering buying this system, with a seperate dvd player and i'm wondering how you like it so far? is it worth the money? how much research did you do before buying this particular HTIB? How is the sound/quality/bass? thanks in advance for the opinions!

 

[FletcherBH]

As for research, I turned my father-in-law loose to find the best deal, and he is very good at that sort of thing. I didn't do any research myself.

I also can't really answer the question about the Onkyo's value vis-a-vis other systems of the same price, because I haven't been out to listen to many.

What I can tell you is this: the bass has more than enough power to damage some aspect of your house, and the sound quality is fine. I like the fact that the system seems to produce a full sound even at low volumes.

I wish I could tell you more, but I'm no expert. If you were in Atlanta, I would let you come by and check it out. But that's about the best I could do, other than to say that I would buy one of these again if this one were stolen.

Maybe I'll have more info after this weekend when I finally place all the speakers in the correct locations and calibrate the system.

 

[AdamTom]

FLetcherBH, Ok, hehe, so based on your ears then, it sounds pretty good, full deep bass, not muddled or nasty sounding at high volumes? The speakers pump out some pretty good sound, as far as good sound quality (not tinny or lacking in mid range)?

 

[Ryan Leemhuis]

Fletcher I think you are talking about pro logic II when you were talking about not being happy with it?

First, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe it works best with shows that show the "dolby surround" logo at the beginning. Second of all, don't expect much as there is no way for to put all the environmental effect you can get in DD and DTS. It mainly makes the sound come directly from your TV instead of a really wide soundstage which sometimes sounds odd with voices