Do I need a DTS-ES/SurrEX capable DVD player ? (1 Viewer)

[AaronKok]

I have a Onkyo 797 & a Pioneer 633A.
The receiver is ES & EX enabled. The DVD player only has DTS and DD stated on the specs.
I have tested 2 main DVDs for testing ES/EX, the Phantom Menace & Gladiator.
It seems that the receiver doesn't auto recognize the ES/EX flag. I have to switch it to ES/EX mode manually, I can't leave it at Auto.
What is the problem in my setup? The Audio is connected through the Coax.
Do i need a ES/EX enabled DVD player? Or is there any configuration need to be done on either equipment?
Thanks for helping a beginner out...

 

[John Garcia]

Welcome
The audio is on the Disc, not in the player. If you are using a digital connection (coax or optical), which you are, then the player simply relays whatever is encoded and selected on the disc. Viola
Sorry, can't answer regarding the auto detect.

 

[Jay Sylvester]

For whatever reason, certain Onkyo receivers have issues with DVDs flagged as DD-EX/DTS-ES. I have a 797 also, and it does the same thing. I just leave mine set to DD-EX/DTS-ES all the time. The side effect is that it simulates a rear center channel on DD/DTS discs that don't have one. This bothers some people because it's not true 6.1, but I find that it works nicely so I don't mind.

I'm not sure if it was ever determined whether this was a problem with the discs not being properly flagged, or the receiver not being able to read the flag properly.

 

[AaronKok]

Jay,

I don't know if it's my ears or what. But it seems if it is not a DD-EX/DTS-ES DVD, switching on the EX/ES will lower the volume and kind of soften the overall effect (Expecially when you use the THX option compared to the Surround). Have you experienced this before?

 

[Charles M]

This might be off the topic a little, but can anyone hear a difference if you use your receiver or DVD player to do the decoding(if your DVD has built-in decoder's)? I have a RP91 and I have a Denon avr1700 w/DD only. So I'm using the RP91 for DTS until I get A new receiver. I think it sounds a little better when I use the 6 channel input. Maybe it could be my ears deceiving me.

 

[Jonathan_]

From what I have read most built in decoders in DVD players don't do as good of a job as ones in receivers. I have always used the one in the receiver. What matters is what sounds better to you.

 

[Chris Rock]

I don't know if it's my ears or what. But it seems if it is not a DD-EX/DTS-ES DVD, switching on the EX/ES will lower the volume and kind of soften the overall effect (Expecially when you use the THX option compared to the Surround). Have you experienced this before?

I have. I have the Onkyo 898, and I experience this very thing. Applying THX-EX does seem to lower the overall volume.

I don't mind it, because I turned this option on when I used the "Home Theater Tune-Up" disc by Sound and Vision to calibrate my system.

The solution: Turn up the volume a little. You'll not miss any effects.

Just my opinion.

 

[AaronKok]

I don't mind it, because I turned this option on when I used the "Home Theater Tune-Up" disc by Sound and Vision to calibrate my system.

Where did you get the disk? Is it from the mag or do i have to get it separately?
Also i can't hear the difference of the THX and normal surround other than the soften volume and the added extra channel on ES/EX disks.
Any Ideas??