DVD sound effect is better than the Digibox movie - why?

[Mighty Magpie]

Hello,

I apologise if this is the wrong NG but here is this weeks question from a
newbie dummie - any advice will be welcome

When I view a DVD, the front panel graphics on my amplifier lights up
several "blocks" (indicating that all the speakers and the sub woofer are
being used) and the effect is spot on

If I view a Sky movie, the graphics on the amplifier indicates that only the
front speakers and sub woofer are being used and the effect is not as good
as I would like. There does not seem to be any way to "activate" the other
speakers at the rear

This occurs even when the Sky broadcast is using Dolby surround sound and
the display shows "SUR. ENHANCED"

Perhaps I might have wired the system up wrongly or am expecting too much
but should the Sky broadcast give me the same sound effects as a DVD?



My TV is a Panasonic and is ancient. Apart from me, it is the weak link

Yamaha RX-V650 Amp
Pioneer DVR -220
Thompson Sky digibox


TIA

[neilnewsgroups@hotmail.com]

Mighty Magpie wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I apologise if this is the wrong NG but here is this weeks question from a
> newbie dummie - any advice will be welcome

I'm in the US. You're in the UK, right?

Anyway, I don't have the Sky service so the following comments are just
my guesses.

> When I view a DVD, the front panel graphics on my amplifier lights up
> several "blocks" (indicating that all the speakers and the sub woofer are
> being used) and the effect is spot on

Your DVD probably has Dolby 5.1 sound, which means that it has 5
discrete channels (front right and left, rear right and left, and a
center channel, making 5 channels) plus a mono subwoofer (which is the
".1" channel).

Your amplifier senses the Dolby 5.1 sound from your DVD and your
amplifier is playing that back correctly.

> If I view a Sky movie, the graphics on the amplifier indicates that only the
> front speakers and sub woofer are being used and the effect is not as good
> as I would like. There does not seem to be any way to "activate" the other
> speakers at the rear

What audio signal does the Sky box output provide? Is it stereo (i.e.,
2 channels)?

If the Sky box is stereo, then only the front right and left channels
are being activated, I think.

How is the Sky box connected to your amplifier?

If you want to get a pretty good surround effect from a stereo signal,
then you'll need to set your amplifier to Dolby Pro Logic (DPL) mode.
DPL will create a surround-sound effect through all the 5.1 channels of
your amplifier.

> This occurs even when the Sky broadcast is using Dolby surround sound and
> the display shows "SUR. ENHANCED"

On the Sky box display or the amplifier display?

If the Sky box is putting out stereo sound, "SUR. ENHANCED" may be the
best surround effect you can receive.

> Perhaps I might have wired the system up wrongly or am expecting too much
> but should the Sky broadcast give me the same sound effects as a DVD?

Depends on what sound capabilities the Sky box has. Again, I'm
guessing, but I suspect your Sky box isn't capable of providing true
Dolby 5.1 sound.

I'll add that given that Sky is a subscription service, why not call
Sky and get them to send a technician to your home who can help you
figure this all out?

How about bringing in a technician from your local AV dealer?

Often a savvy outsider such as a technician can look over the gear and
see something that the owner has overlooked.

> My TV is a Panasonic and is ancient. Apart from me, it is the weak link

LOL! I know the feeling, man.

> Yamaha RX-V650 Amp
> Pioneer DVR -220
> Thompson Sky digibox

I'm not familiar with your gear.

One more thought: Have you read your manuals and tried all the
suggestions there?

> TIA

Hope the above helps!