mcgarnigle

I recently purchased a Kenwood VR405 Dolby Digital Home Theater System for my parents. They have a Phillips Magnavox DVD player(don't know the model). I used a optical cable to connect the dvd to the receiver. The problem is when Dolby Digital mode is on, the only sound is background music/effects, coming out of the front speakers. No dialogue can be heard. The strange thing is, this only happens with a couple of dvds, namely "Thomas Crown Affair" and "Bone Collector". By downmixing, dialogue can be heard, but then you lose out on the 5.1, right?
I checked the connections, and i think the settings are right. "Ghostbusters" played great, and had good sound from all 5 speakers. What can the problem be? Is it possible the discs are bad?

electronix_kid

The Kenwood VR405 doesnt have DTS, only DD, Im pretty sure that you got the DTS versions of Bone Collector, but dunno about the Thomas Crowne Affair. Ghostbusters works right? that should be DolbyDigital then... Hopethishelped...

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Toshiba SD-2109, Luxman Amp. NEC Pro-Logic Processor... I want 5.1!!!
HELP! I'M TRAPPED IN A 14 YR. OLDS' BODY!!!!!!

mcgarnigle

I'm not sure about Bone Collector, but I know the Thomas Crown Affair is Dolby Digital 5.1(English & French). Ghostbusters, and some others work fine. So far, just the 2 mentioned have had "problems"...

daledude

Try to eliminate the dvd player as the problem. Either try it in your system or bring another dvd player to the kenwood.

It sounds like the center channel isn't being decoded. Of course, this could be either the dvd player or the receiver.

If it is the player, then you'll either have to search for a firmware upgrade or get a new player (unless you can live with dolby surround on a few titles). If it's the receiver then just get a replacement.

mcgarnigle

Thanks Daledude. The problem is my system is built around my dvd-rom/computer... But I will try to borrow a friend's dvd player. Why do you think the problem is only with certain dvd's? Thanks for your help!

daledude

Certain players have problems with certain disc, i.e. matrix would not play properly on many players.

The solution was a firmware upgrade, which is basically the operating system (like a computer bios) of the dvd player. You have to send it in to an autohorized repair center to replace a chip, although a few models allowed you to flash the player with a disc (like a computer).

It could also be a defect in the receiver, so I would make sure it's not the player and then try to replace the receiver while it's under warranty. Depending on where you bought the receiver, you may want to take one of the defective disc and the receiver back to the store and show them the problem.