Help! I'm an audio newb

cherno · 03-24-2008, 02:23 AM

So with my home theater now set up (pics coming soon!) I am the proud owner of my very first receiver and 5.1/7.1 sound system. Only problem is that I totally have no idea how to make sure that whatever audio source I pick from the DVD/BRD menu is the right one set on the receiver.

I have an onkyo HT -S800 system. My main question is that since I'm mainly just playing BRD right now, I have so far been able to pick from 5.1 lossless or 5.1 DD.

I usually pick lossless because uncompressed is the right way to go, right? But it usually sounds kinda flat coming out of receiver. So I switch to DD and ProLogicIIx - Cinema and that seems to have the most depth.

What should I be doing? and what am I doing wrong?

Link to product in case you wanted to know specfic formats it supports:
Onkyo HT-SR800 - 7.1-Channel Receiver/ Speaker Package | Model Information | Onkyo USA Home Theater Products

cherno · 04-11-2008, 02:55 AM

No help at all? Maybe this needs to be moved to the audio forum since it probably belongs there more than here.

It seems like the biggest problem when I pick lossless is that my sub seems not active or very weak.

**SilentBob** · 04-11-2008, 04:49 AM

Well the thing is with the receiver is that it only does video with the HDMI and not the audio. So basically the Uncompressed audio can only be done by Optical Digital cable and processed at a 2.0 setting with PLIIx enable. So you aren't getting the true full uncompressed sound that a HDMI connection could provide for you. Dolby is working fine because it can handle the 5.1 compressed sound with ease. So if you want the full PCM tracks you will either need to return the system for a receiver that handles both audio/video or buy/have a Blu-ray player with a 5.1/7.1 analog audio connection (RCA cables)

cherno · 04-11-2008, 03:30 PM

thanks! That makes sense. Wish I had gotten one that didn't just have passthrough, although the DD does sound great

03-24-2008, 02:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
cherno Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Emporia, Kansas	Help! I'm an audio newb So with my home theater now set up (pics coming soon!) I am the proud owner of my very first receiver and 5.1/7.1 sound system. Only problem is that I totally have no idea how to make sure that whatever audio source I pick from the DVD/BRD menu is the right one set on the receiver. I have an onkyo HT -S800 system. My main question is that since I'm mainly just playing BRD right now, I have so far been able to pick from 5.1 lossless or 5.1 DD. I usually pick lossless because uncompressed is the right way to go, right? But it usually sounds kinda flat coming out of receiver. So I switch to DD and ProLogicIIx - Cinema and that seems to have the most depth. What should I be doing? and what am I doing wrong? Link to product in case you wanted to know specfic formats it supports: Onkyo HT-SR800 - 7.1-Channel Receiver/ Speaker Package \| Model Information \| Onkyo USA Home Theater Products __________________ "Principles only mean something if you stick by them when they are inconvenient" My DVDs My Home Theater Oh no! I broke history - Hiro Nakamura Last edited by cherno : 03-24-2008 at 06:11 AM.

04-11-2008, 02:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
cherno Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Emporia, Kansas	No help at all? Maybe this needs to be moved to the audio forum since it probably belongs there more than here. It seems like the biggest problem when I pick lossless is that my sub seems not active or very weak. __________________ "Principles only mean something if you stick by them when they are inconvenient" My DVDs My Home Theater Oh no! I broke history - Hiro Nakamura

04-11-2008, 04:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
SilentBob Silent Director/Silent Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Burlington, Ontario	Well the thing is with the receiver is that it only does video with the HDMI and not the audio. So basically the Uncompressed audio can only be done by Optical Digital cable and processed at a 2.0 setting with PLIIx enable. So you aren't getting the true full uncompressed sound that a HDMI connection could provide for you. Dolby is working fine because it can handle the 5.1 compressed sound with ease. So if you want the full PCM tracks you will either need to return the system for a receiver that handles both audio/video or buy/have a Blu-ray player with a 5.1/7.1 analog audio connection (RCA cables) __________________ SilentBob's DVD's Supporting both HD-DVD and Blu-ray XBOX LIVE: luvthempocket8s PS3 ONLINE: pokerlover

04-11-2008, 03:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
cherno Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Emporia, Kansas	thanks! That makes sense. Wish I had gotten one that didn't just have passthrough, although the DD does sound great __________________ "Principles only mean something if you stick by them when they are inconvenient" My DVDs My Home Theater Oh no! I broke history - Hiro Nakamura

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