Need some help with Sony DTS/AC3 reciever

[Scuzz]

I connected my Sony DVD player via a digital coax for audio and standard composite for video to my Sony 545 reciever. The receiver does AC3/DTS decoding internally but I can never get it to digital mode. It always says "Dolby Surround" and the digital symbol is not lit. The manual is no help either. I saw a simular setup at Bestbuy, theirs did the same thing as mine. How do I get it in AC3 mode? I have the 5 speakers +sub connected correctly too. Seems it should detect the encoded stream and decode it automatically, but it won't. Anyone have the 345/445/545?

 

[MattStone]

Is this a DE545?
1. How many DVDs (and which ones) have you tried playing...on some you have to switch the audio signal to DD or DTS otherwise it will send a DD 2.0 signal which will be automatically decoded into pro-logic.
2. I don't like the DE series of Sonys...I have a DB840...but do you have to assign the digital inputs to anything?
3. Finally...check the menu or status screen on your DVD player. I can't speak for Sony DVD players, but my Toshiba has a button on the remote called "display"...when pushed it shows what signal is being passed to the Reciever, and other info. If it says that it is dolby digital 5.1, then test it...listen for discrete output from each speaker.

I think that I've heard some of the Sony DE recievers have problems. They are pretty shoddy, but you can't beat the cheap ass price most of the time. Next time go w/a DB model. If I find any info, I'll post it.

 

[MattStone]

Okay...found some more info.
4. In the DVD player's setup menus make sure that the audio has DD and DTS (I believe that Sony's default for DTS is off) enables...and isn't set to pcm.
5. Make sure the Reciever is set to AFD (Auto Frequency Decode) because all of the others are prologic or weird ass dsps.

Hope this helps.

 

[Scuzz]

Thanks for the help!

If I hit "AFD" it goes into 2 speaker mode, that means no surround sound. I put in a DVD that only has dobly digital and there is no menu sound option or button on the Sony DVD. The manual list all sorts of digital modes and the display that should show, ie. AC3 3/2 for AC3 with 5 speakers (+ a sub). I can't get it to go into anything but prologic. I sent a e-mail to Sony, but only got a automated response.

 

[Scuzz]

<< 2. I don't like the DE series of Sonys...I have a DB840...but do you have to assign the digital inputs to anything? >>



There is an option to assign the 5.1 inputs to various stuff, I took it off DVD, but either way does tha same thing. As I understand it, the 545 can take decoded 5.1 inputs (5 composites) or do the decoding internally. I've tried every menu and button, maybe I need to try other DVDs. I was testing with Jurassic Park which supports AC3.

 

[KameLeon]

Try here

 

[Scuzz]

<<
Why Doesn't The DVD Player Generate Dolby Digital Sound?

Solution:

A Dolby Digital DVD disc and a Dolby Digital DVD player, or a DVD player that will process AC3, and a Dolby Digital Receiver is required for Dolby Digital sound.

NOTE: If playing AC3 discs, please follow the steps below to enable the DVD player to output Dolby Digital.
Please follow the steps below.
1. Using the receiver remote, press the AUDIO CHANGE button to cycle through and select &quot;AFD.&quot;

2. Using the DVD player remote control, access the DVD player Setup menu.

A. On the remote, press the DOWN ARROW button to select &quot;SPOKEN LANGUAGE.&quot;

B. On the remote, press the ENTER button.

C. On the remote, press the DOWN ARROW button to select &quot;ENGLISH DOLBY DIGITAL.&quot;

D. On the remote, press the ENTER button.

NOTE: Many Sony DVD players have audio priority and will find the Dolby Digital track automatically (auto track selection). Please refer to the user manual that came with the DVD player.

3. On the DVD disc, choose &quot;DOLBY DIGITAL&quot; from the Software menu.
Q]

Found this. Maybe I do have to try something with the DVD. I didn't think to look under langauges, I was looking for sound.

 

[divinemartyr]

I might recommend trying optical digital instead of coaxial digital. I had problems when I connected mine via coax. Some DVD players don't have the optical out but any made in the last year, should. At least any of decent brand name, and Sony makes some decent DVD players. I prefer my Toshiba but it's all a matter of choice. =) Anyway, definitely check the languages setting. Also, you have to start playing the movie. Menus on DVD movies are always encoded in pro-logic. Try starting the movie. If this doesn't kick it into Dolby Digital (which is automatically should on 99% of conventional DVD movies) then try checking under the languages setting of that particular DVD disc.

divinemartyr

 

[Scuzz]

Both have coax and optical, the maunual recommended coax and it was cheaper. Optical seem to delicate and thus might break or bend and stop working correctly. Thanks for the pointers.

 

[MattStone]

It is the signal that is being passed from the player I think. You say that there isn't a menu...??? There has to be, that is where you can set whether the DVD Player should send a 16x9 or 4x3 signal to the tv. There are also other options. Break out the DVD Player manual...it should say how to get to the menu there...if I find any other info, I'll reply.

 

[MattStone]

Sorry...I didn't notice your previous post where you listed steps. That is where you choose to send a DD signal...try it. The reason that it is under languages is because DVDs refer to their sound tracks by languages...ie, English DD 5.1 or French DD 5.1. Hope it all works out.

 

[Scuzz]

I fixed it!

I had to go into the DVD menu via the &quot;Display&quot; button. This is the menu built into the DVD hardwatre, not the disc itself. I had to change Dolby Surround to Digital and it worked great! The blue Multi channel light is lit up and its on Digital 3/2 mode (all 5 speakers). It sounds great. For the $299, no tax and free 2-day shipping at 800.com, this DE545 isn't that bad.

Thanks for your help everyone, that's why I come here