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Anyone noticed HT better with DVR?

A week ago I got Comcast's DVR. Previously I just had digital cable with the regular tuner box. The old box had analog audio/video outs, and I hooked these into my pre/pro. However, the DVR has digital audio (and video) outputs. I connected a Toslink from the DVR to my pre/pro.

Whoa! The sound when watching television has improved at least 2 full notches. I'm still playing around with various surround sound modes (I'm presently using Dolby Prologic II for cinema), but the sound is fantastic.

Has anyone else noticed the improvement when acquiring a digital audio input from your cable provider?

Michael
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xsufentanil
6 responses Add your response
sufentanil's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sufentanil OP
782 posts
 
Actually, shortly after I posted this, I discovered that the DVR WAS giving me Dolby Digital signals. People are really impressed when they listen to the TV on my system: "That's just regular television?!"

Thanks guys,

Michael
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Michael- Are you sure that the Comcast box does not output DD? Every Comcast digital box that I had, did. Perhaps the broadcast you are watching is not in DD. Anyways, they will probably upgrade the firmware eventualy, even if yours does not support DD now. And then with the digital out to your pre-pro, you will be all set.

Anyways, just enjoy.
d_edwards
204 posts
 
"I got Comcast's DVR. Previously I just had digital cable with the regular tuner box. The old box had analog audio/video outs, and I hooked these into my pre/pro. However, the DVR has digital audio (and video) outputs. I connected a Toslink from the DVR to my pre/pro."

You did everything right, and the DVR would be like upgrading from a $69 DVD player to a $500 one with all of the same expectations of improvement.

Have a good One Mike,

Doug
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
I have been feeding the digital PCM from my Dishnetwork receivers through my Audio Aero Capitole CD player for a few years now. The upsampling is a big help.
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil OP
782 posts
 
No, my old box did not output Dolby Digital (just stereo analog outputs). Actually, my new box doesn't output DD either. It's just digital PCM. But you're right, my pre/pro DAC is so much better than the former cable box that it just sounds like a whole new system.

Michael
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Did your old box output Dolby Digital? The DVR boxes do. Plus the dacs in your HTR are going to be head and shoulders above the DAC in the cable box.
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