Yeah, I'm a schmoo with HT

[bully]

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-99 receiver. AC-3. I have a dvd player. Have lots of speakers for all the jacks, and am even running two subwoofers.
I don't think I am getting 5.1 though. Is there something I need to do setting up the dvd player?
The manuals are like untranslated gibberish for me.
pete

[ProAc_Fan]

Bully you are using a toslink cable and the digital outputs of the dvd player right? There is usually an onscreen menu to select the 5.1 setting for your DVD player and often theres a setting for it on the DVD itself. What makes you think you're not getting 5.1 surround sound?

Mike

[bully]

:dunno:
right now I'm using regular AV RCA patchcords. I've got a very basic dvd player Apex 1500 model.
IIR, I used the 'laser disk' jacks, 'cause the vsx-99 doesn't have anything that indicates dvd. It was one of the early AC-3/DD receivers.
I do have some of those cables, though, I'm pretty sure.
My older tv only has old-fashioned inputs, and I didn't think y'all could mix and match??
I'll admit to only using it three times, to play the 3 dvd's I have.
I mean it sounds very good, but I pretty sure it says dolby pro logic, and when I switch to ac-3 I don't get any sound?

pete

[geespot]

On the back of the receiver, is there some RCA inputs that say AC-3? You need to input a digital coax cable into there and on the other end into the DVD player if it has one. I had a VSX-D3 with just 2 RCAs that said AC-3 on the back, in order to get DD I used a digital coax. I hope this helps.

There is probably some set-up required on the receiver and player to have it use the correct inputs/outputs

[WildWest]

Manauls are a funny thing. But I have found if I really sit down and read things when I am stuck, that typically the answers come out. Some manuals are certainly more readable that others. If all else fails I would try the manuals once again. Settings have to be correct in the DVD player and the AVR

Geespot...

"I had a VSX-D3 with just 2 RCAs that said AC-3 on the back, in order to get DD I used a digital coax. I hope this helps".

Your digital coaxial in is an orange jack. It carries all of your digital 5.1 audio signals. No need for two conductors in DTS output. You say your VSX has two RCA's on the back and you plug both of them in from the DVD player? Or do you plug one in? Anyway if the jacks that you are plugging into are not orange on the DVD player or the AVR, it is not a digital coaxial input and I don't think one is getting 5.1 surround sound.

Anyway, AC-3 evolved into Dobly Digital. It is not DTS though which is the 5.1 audio. Although both DTS and Dolby Digital are digital, they use different methods of encoding the signals, and thus they require different decoding circuits to convert the digital signals back to analog.

If your DVD player has no coaxial or optical audio out then you cannot get 5.1 sound reproduction.

[Thatch_Ear]

All DVD players are different but if your TV will take an S cable you can run rca patchcords to anything you want as long as you can get the screen to say 5.1 or 6 ch analog. Heck I even split the signal on my center channel twice so I can run a big woofer and a pair of eletrostats. If you amp isn't up to doing the 5.1 your DVD is, just drag out some more gear and patch cords

[bully]

Thanks, guys.
I haven't looked in a bit, but I don't believe the TV accepts anything but good old-fashioned rca-ended patchcords.
Best as I recall, I have the dvdplayer's output connected to the Elite VSX-99, and am using the 99's output to the TV.
I also have one of my vcr's connected to the 99, and the other evening tried to record a program, but it didn't record, so I've also forgot how to do that! Sheesh, coupla years ago I had two vcr's connected, and they would do all sorts of things.
Then, the cable box throws some confusion into the mix. I'm thinkin' I have it running through the 99, as well.
Things were a lot simpler with things :rolleyes: before all this AV stuff.
I am running a separate amp off the center channel to drive a pair of Yamaha NS-A838. I do have 4 nice 150x2 amps probably waiting for some kind of pre-processor, but I am at sea about those components.

[WildWest]

" If you amp isn't up to doing the 5.1 your DVD is, just drag out some more gear and patch cords"

If your DVD has a orange coaxial or optical audio out then you can get the DTS 5.1 digital audio signal separation as designed on the DVD. If your DVD player only has RCA left and right audio out then you cannot reproduce the DTS audio signal.

So bully to restate...If you have no AVR that will accept the coaxial or optical audio cable in then you won't get the 5.1 DTS signal. Sure an S video may display it on the screen and sure you can set the DVD player to do it but if you have no AVR to plug in the signal it will not work.

Your AC-3 is a digital pro logic signal but it is not DTS 5.1 which is a whole new level in home theater sound reproduction. It totally kicks A S S. :grnbounce

Many budget 5.1 AVR's out there. Get yourself one then throw in more patch cords and amps to kick up the volume on the decoded channels if that AVR isn't up to the task. But if you have an active sub why, I think most 5.1 AVRs will perform for you at the proper SPL for comfortable viewing.