Unable to bypass Dolby Digital (1 Viewer)

[Sergio Z.]

I have a Kenwood VR 6070 and get no sound when I switch the Input Mode option to Analog. Sure I like the DD sound and all but once in a while get the itch to hear the difference between PLII, Neo 6, CS II, various DSP modes etc. I am able to do so with Dolby Surround titles (mostly LDs), but basically none of the DVDs. Can anyone suggest any workarounds?

 

[Michael Mohrmann]

Sergio,

I am assuming that you have the DVD player's analog cables connected in addition to the digital output of the DVD player. One way around this problem would be to connect the DVD player's analog output to an unused input on your receiver (i.e. CD, Aux, Video, etc.). So, whenever you want to use the 2-channel DSP modes, switch to that input.

Michael

 

[LanceJ]

Also to make best use of those DSP modes when using the player's stereo analog outputs, if the disc's menu offers it, use the plain stereo option & not the 5.1 choice. When 5.1 is chosen the player downmixes all six channels into 2 channels when the left & right RCA jacks are used (on players with only two RCA audio outs)--this could very well "confuse" the DSP's software (5.1 >>> 2.0 = various sound effects are now in the wrong place and at the incorrect volume levels) and cause it to generate some funky surround effects.

Just try it both ways and see what happens.

 

[John Garcia]

It shouldn't matter if you use digital or analog connections; if you select the stereo track on a DVD, you can apply any stereo DSP to it (NEO:6, PLII/IIx, etc...). It will be rare to find a DVD that does not have a stereo track - I believe it is required.

 

[LanceJ]

John: When my own Technics SA-DA8 receiver is decoding a Dolby Digital signal (stereo or 5.1) and then I try to choose one of its DSP modes like hall or theater, the Dolby light just blinks a few times and then returns to DD again. That's when I also have to choose the dvd input's analog-in option.

But when it is receiving a PCM signal, a DSP mode can be chosen. Not exactly sure what's happening here but it doesn't bother me because I've heard Yamaha's DSP applied to DD and never liked the effects (mostly just added reverb--bleh).

I have several dvds with no stereo tracks--am surprised myself that's not a requirement.

 

[Greg Thomas]

John,

Don't you have to switch your output on the DVD player from Bitstream to PCM then if you want to bypass Dolby Digital or DTS and apply a DSP? Sure if you use analog (L&R) outs it'll automatically be stereo but I'm pretty sure the DVD player will have to be set to output PCM. I know with CD's they automatically output PCM but DVD's may be different thru digital interface.

 

[John Garcia]

Sorry, if the stereo mix is Dolby stereo, stereo DSPs cannot be applied to it (it is still seen as "Dolby Digital"). If it is plain stereo or Dolby surround, most DSPs should work.

Yes, switching to PCM would make the player output stereo all the time, in a format that could be processed by DSPs.

My receiver just has an A/D button that allows me to switch between analog and digital inputs for the same source.

 

[Sergio Z.]

Thanks a lot everybody!