HD-A3 audio options
11-27-07 | 12:33 PM
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From: Tulsa, OK, USA
HD-A3 audio options
I have an older TV and non-HDMI receiver, so my audio is hooked up via optical. When I initially set up the A3, I had the following settings:
Digital Out SPDIF - Bitstream
Digital Out HDMI - Auto
Dynamic Range Control - Auto
Dialog Enhancement - Off
Sound was fine. I get Dolby Digital on my HDs and whatever I choose for my SDs (DTS, Digital, whatever).
I saw on another forum, someone also connecting via optical had the setting of "Digital Out HDMI" set to Downmixed PCM and Dynamic Range Control to OFF. Even though I don't have an HDMI receiver (and he did not, either), I made those changes to my setup. The sound was MUCH improved. It was, first of all, louder (I had noted I had to really jack up my sound settings with the HD player previously), and the rear surrounds actually seemed more active. But I'm perplexed as to why. Nothing is connected via HDMI so why should that make a difference? Surely changing dynamic range control to "Off" couldn't have made the difference I'm hearing?
On the Toshiba itself, I note "2 ch" is lit up, which would go along with the PCM setting, I guess (previously with the auto selection it said "multi"), although I do seem to be getting separate, distinct, and different sounds from my various speakers. Can anyone enlighten me in sorta layman's terms as to why this happens like this and confirm I have the right settings?
Digital Out SPDIF - Bitstream
Digital Out HDMI - Auto
Dynamic Range Control - Auto
Dialog Enhancement - Off
Sound was fine. I get Dolby Digital on my HDs and whatever I choose for my SDs (DTS, Digital, whatever).
I saw on another forum, someone also connecting via optical had the setting of "Digital Out HDMI" set to Downmixed PCM and Dynamic Range Control to OFF. Even though I don't have an HDMI receiver (and he did not, either), I made those changes to my setup. The sound was MUCH improved. It was, first of all, louder (I had noted I had to really jack up my sound settings with the HD player previously), and the rear surrounds actually seemed more active. But I'm perplexed as to why. Nothing is connected via HDMI so why should that make a difference? Surely changing dynamic range control to "Off" couldn't have made the difference I'm hearing?
On the Toshiba itself, I note "2 ch" is lit up, which would go along with the PCM setting, I guess (previously with the auto selection it said "multi"), although I do seem to be getting separate, distinct, and different sounds from my various speakers. Can anyone enlighten me in sorta layman's terms as to why this happens like this and confirm I have the right settings?
11-27-07 | 01:30 PM
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From: Mpls, MN
I'm guessing: You switched from surround sound to stereo. Stereo usually comes through louder since Dolby/DTS have such a wide dynamic range. Your receiver is using Pro Logic or something to output a matrixed surround from your speakers. So you are getting fakey surround instead of what is encoded on the disc.
Although, if the downmixer is good enough, it could actually be matrixing it fairly well, which could be pulled back to the proper sound. I'm not sure how good they are these days.
Although, if the downmixer is good enough, it could actually be matrixing it fairly well, which could be pulled back to the proper sound. I'm not sure how good they are these days.
11-27-07 | 01:58 PM
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From: Tulsa, OK, USA
To muddy the waters, the receiver itself is showing Dolby Digital, not pro logic. Guess I don't get how changing an HDMI setting on the A3 would change anything since there's nothing hooked up via HDMI...the digital out is optical bitstream.
