DVD to TV setup sound problem

[Masterplan]

Using RCA cables to run the DVD to the TV set. Problem is that the
center channel sound is not coming thru the TV speakers. Is it a
problem with the DVD player or with the TV? The Tv is a Toshiba 32"
Flatscreen. I don't know the exact model number, but it's similar to a
Toshiba 32HFX71. The DVD is a no-name brand.

[Lucas Tam]

"Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1107183712.578737.104500@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:

> Using RCA cables to run the DVD to the TV set. Problem is that the
> center channel sound is not coming thru the TV speakers. Is it a
> problem with the DVD player or with the TV? The Tv is a Toshiba 32"
> Flatscreen. I don't know the exact model number, but it's similar to a
> Toshiba 32HFX71. The DVD is a no-name brand.

Does the DVD do a 2 channel mixdown? In that case, the center chanel is
mixed down into the left/right channels. If not... try selecting the dolby
surround sound track.


--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

[Lucas Tam]

"Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1107185010.467655.198100@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:

>
> Lucas Tam wrote:
>> "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
>> news:1107183712.578737.104500@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:
>>
>> > Using RCA cables to run the DVD to the TV set. Problem is that the
>> > center channel sound is not coming thru the TV speakers. Is it a
>> > problem with the DVD player or with the TV? The Tv is a Toshiba
> 32"
>> > Flatscreen. I don't know the exact model number, but it's similar
> to a
>> > Toshiba 32HFX71. The DVD is a no-name brand.
>>
>> Does the DVD do a 2 channel mixdown?
>
> I can switch from 5.1 to 2.1 if that's what you mean. But then I'll
> lose my surround sound to the other speakers won't I ?

Yes, but do you have surround sound?

Are you trying to use your TV as ONLY the center speaker? If this is the
case, you can't do it directly from the DVD - you need to run the center
preout from your receiver into the L/R speaker jacks of your TV. If your
receiver doesn't have a center pre-out, you'll need to convert the
speaker level outputs into a line-level output. If you need such a
device, e-mail me... I have a speaker level to line level convert I'm
trying to offload.


>> In that case, the center chanel is
>> mixed down into the left/right channels. If not... try selecting the
> dolby
>> surround sound track.
>
> On the player?

Yes, you select the dolby surround audio track via the DVD player's
audio menu. However, the DVD itself has to have a dobly surround track.

--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

[Masterplan]

Lucas Tam wrote:
> "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:1107183712.578737.104500@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:
>
> > Using RCA cables to run the DVD to the TV set. Problem is that the
> > center channel sound is not coming thru the TV speakers. Is it a
> > problem with the DVD player or with the TV? The Tv is a Toshiba
32"
> > Flatscreen. I don't know the exact model number, but it's similar
to a
> > Toshiba 32HFX71. The DVD is a no-name brand.
>
> Does the DVD do a 2 channel mixdown?

I can switch from 5.1 to 2.1 if that's what you mean. But then I'll
lose my surround sound to the other speakers won't I ?

> In that case, the center chanel is
> mixed down into the left/right channels. If not... try selecting the
dolby
> surround sound track.

On the player?

>
>
> --
> Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
> Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
> http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

[Masterplan]

Lucas Tam wrote:
> "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:1107185010.467655.198100@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:
>
> >
> > Lucas Tam wrote:
> >> "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
> >> news:1107183712.578737.104500@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:
> >>
> >> > Using RCA cables to run the DVD to the TV set. Problem is that
the
> >> > center channel sound is not coming thru the TV speakers. Is it
a
> >> > problem with the DVD player or with the TV? The Tv is a Toshiba
> > 32"
> >> > Flatscreen. I don't know the exact model number, but it's
similar
> > to a
> >> > Toshiba 32HFX71. The DVD is a no-name brand.
> >>
> >> Does the DVD do a 2 channel mixdown?
> >
> > I can switch from 5.1 to 2.1 if that's what you mean. But then I'll
> > lose my surround sound to the other speakers won't I ?
>
> Yes, but do you have surround sound?
>
> Are you trying to use your TV as ONLY the center speaker?

Not exactly. I guess what I want is for all the sound from the DVD to
come thru the TV speakers and maintain the ability to have the 5.1
surround system working at the same time.


>If this is the
> case, you can't do it directly from the DVD - you need to run the
center
> preout from your receiver into the L/R speaker jacks of your TV. If
your
> receiver doesn't have a center pre-out, you'll need to convert the
> speaker level outputs into a line-level output. If you need such a
> device, e-mail me... I have a speaker level to line level convert I'm

> trying to offload.
>
>
> >> In that case, the center chanel is
> >> mixed down into the left/right channels. If not... try selecting
the
> > dolby
> >> surround sound track.
> >
> > On the player?
>
> Yes, you select the dolby surround audio track via the DVD player's
> audio menu. However, the DVD itself has to have a dobly surround
track.

I played around with that a bit, and it didn't seem to help. I'm still
getting only the sound from the Right and Left Front speakers thru the
TV speakers.

>
> --
> Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
> Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
> http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

[Lucas Tam]

"Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1107188640.320141.56730@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com:

>> Are you trying to use your TV as ONLY the center speaker?
>
> Not exactly. I guess what I want is for all the sound from the DVD to
> come thru the TV speakers and maintain the ability to have the 5.1
> surround system working at the same time.

I wouldn't recommend that... that'll mess up your 5.1 sound field. Also,
TV speakers are woefully inadequate, so if you already have a 5.1
system, just stick with the 5.1 system.

>> Yes, you select the dolby surround audio track via the DVD player's
>> audio menu. However, the DVD itself has to have a dobly surround
> track.
>
> I played around with that a bit, and it didn't seem to help. I'm
still
> getting only the sound from the Right and Left Front speakers thru the
> TV speakers.

There should be a "phantom" center channel present in the Dolby surround
channel. The center is probably not as distinct as it is in a 5.1 mix,
but it should be there. Can you hear any dialog?


--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

[Masterplan]

Lucas Tam wrote:
> "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:1107188640.320141.56730@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com:
>
> >> Are you trying to use your TV as ONLY the center speaker?
> >
> > Not exactly. I guess what I want is for all the sound from the DVD
to
> > come thru the TV speakers and maintain the ability to have the 5.1
> > surround system working at the same time.
>
> I wouldn't recommend that... that'll mess up your 5.1 sound field.
Also,
> TV speakers are woefully inadequate, so if you already have a 5.1
> system, just stick with the 5.1 system.
>
> >> Yes, you select the dolby surround audio track via the DVD
player's
> >> audio menu. However, the DVD itself has to have a dobly surround
> > track.
> >
> > I played around with that a bit, and it didn't seem to help. I'm
> still
> > getting only the sound from the Right and Left Front speakers thru
the
> > TV speakers.
>
> There should be a "phantom" center channel present in the Dolby
surround
> channel. The center is probably not as distinct as it is in a 5.1
mix,
> but it should be there. Can you hear any dialog?

None. Just music and sound effects.

>
>
> --
> Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
> Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
> http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

[Gary A. Edelstein]

On 31 Jan 2005 08:24:00 -0800, "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Not exactly. I guess what I want is for all the sound from the DVD to
>come thru the TV speakers and maintain the ability to have the 5.1
>surround system working at the same time.
>
Please clarify how your system is setup. You have the DVD player
digital audio going to a 5.1 setup and the L/R analog out going to the
TV? If so, then it may depend on the how the player and disc audio
menu is setup. Does this happen on all discs when the 5.1 DD track is
selected on the disc menu? How many discs have you tried? Many discs
are setup to downmix the DD 5.1 track to Dolby Surround for the analog
outs, so you should hear the dialog (center) channel on the TV. If it
only happens with one disc then it may be a problem with the way the
disc is produced and you will have to select one of the 2 channel
tracks to make it work just on that disc. Gary E
--
|Gary A. Edelstein
|edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to reply)
|"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo

[Masterplan]

Gary A. Edelstein wrote:
> On 31 Jan 2005 08:24:00 -0800, "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Not exactly. I guess what I want is for all the sound from the DVD
to
> >come thru the TV speakers and maintain the ability to have the 5.1
> >surround system working at the same time.
> >
> Please clarify how your system is setup. You have the DVD player
> digital audio going to a 5.1 setup and the L/R analog out going to
the
> TV?

Right.

> If so, then it may depend on the how the player and disc audio
> menu is setup. Does this happen on all discs when the 5.1 DD track
is
> selected on the disc menu?

I've tried about 5 different discs. Pretty much same results.

> How many discs have you tried? Many discs
> are setup to downmix the DD 5.1 track to Dolby Surround for the
analog
> outs, so you should hear the dialog (center) channel on the TV. If
it
> only happens with one disc then it may be a problem with the way the
> disc is produced and you will have to select one of the 2 channel
> tracks to make it work just on that disc. Gary E
> --
> |Gary A. Edelstein
> |edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to
reply)
> |"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo

[Rich Clark]

"Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1107199787.011859.42890@c13g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...

>> Please clarify how your system is setup. You have the DVD player
>> digital audio going to a 5.1 setup and the L/R analog out going to
> the
>> TV?
>
> Right.

So what you're hearing is only the front L/Front Right channels through the
TV. I suspect you have a player with six analog outputs (not two) and the
ones you're using can be either the L/R channels of stereo or the Front L/R
channels of 5.1 depending on how the player's menu is configured.

Look in the player's setup menu for something that lets you choose between
5.1 and stereo from the analog outputs, and set it to stereo.

RichC

[Masterplan]

Rich Clark wrote:
> "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1107199787.011859.42890@c13g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
>
> >> Please clarify how your system is setup. You have the DVD player
> >> digital audio going to a 5.1 setup and the L/R analog out going to
> > the
> >> TV?
> >
> > Right.
>
> So what you're hearing is only the front L/Front Right channels
through the
> TV. I suspect you have a player with six analog outputs (not two) and
the
> ones you're using can be either the L/R channels of stereo or the
Front L/R
> channels of 5.1 depending on how the player's menu is configured.
>
> Look in the player's setup menu for something that lets you choose
between
> 5.1 and stereo from the analog outputs, and set it to stereo.

All I could find was something that switched between 5.1 and 2.1.
Switching to 2.1 fixes the problem, but then I have no rear speakers.

I googled around a bit and found this:
"Okay, after reading the manual and looking at the audio opti*ons
again, the default audio setting was bitstream (against pcm *or off)
I assumed that this was the digital sound setting and defual*t was
correct for the 5.1 dd. Turns out that this digital output s*etting
wasn't
for 5.1 (no idea what its for then) but advised to turn to o*ff when
not
using."

It sounds like something that may help me, but could someone translate
this so I have a shot at getting this DVD player to do it?
>
> RichC

[rdclark]

Masterplan wrote:

> It sounds like something that may help me, but could someone
translate
> this so I have a shot at getting this DVD player to do it?
It might help if you post the make and model of your DVD player.

RichC

[Masterplan]

rdclark wrote:
> Masterplan wrote:
>
> > It sounds like something that may help me, but could someone
> translate
> > this so I have a shot at getting this DVD player to do it?
> It might help if you post the make and model of your DVD player.
>

Didn't have that handy yesterday when I originally posted
Durabrand STS75E


> RichC

[rdclark]

Masterplan wrote:
> rdclark wrote:
> > Masterplan wrote:
> >
> > > It sounds like something that may help me, but could someone
> > translate
> > > this so I have a shot at getting this DVD player to do it?
> > It might help if you post the make and model of your DVD player.
> >
>
> Didn't have that handy yesterday when I originally posted
> Durabrand STS75E

I didn't realize this was an $80 HTIB from Wal-mart. Since there's no
real specs or documentation available on the Web, I'm afraid I can't
help you with specifics. All I can suggest is that if the unit has
analog stero outputs, there ought to be some menu configuration to
determine the nature of the signal that's sent to them. You'll have to
experiment to see what effect the various settings have.

RichC

[Gary A. Edelstein]

On 31 Jan 2005 11:29:47 -0800, "Masterplan" <berniealonge@gmail.com>
wrote:

>I've tried about 5 different discs. Pretty much same results.
>
Then it's not the disc, it's the player. That inexpensive player I'm
pretty sure doesn't have a built in decoder or analog 5.1 outs (or
does it?). A bitstream/PCM player audio menu setting should only
affect the digital audio out, not the analog, but who knows - you can
play with that and see, but remember the original setting if you need
to go back.

My best guess is the player doesn't implement 5.1 mixdown to Dolby
Surround for the analog outs when a DD 5.1 track is selected as either
a cost saving measure or a defect in the firmware/setup. Or, there's
a setting in the player audio setup menu that enables it.

Gary E
--
|Gary A. Edelstein
|edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to reply)
|"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo