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HT 2.1, dumb question.

Hi all,

I need your help. Due to space constraint, I just finished installing 2.1 HT setup in the master bedroom. Pre/pro is Outlaw 950. DVD to Outlaw is via digital optical cable. Setup on Outlaw is 2 Large Front speakers with subwoofer ON. All else are OFF. Thus, the display on Outlaw pre/pro always shows STEREO, which makes sense because I only have 2 front speakers. My room is calibrated w/ measured distance and SPL meter.

Many today movies are encoded in 5.1 format. When I hit any button, such as Dolby Digital, DTS, CR Surr, Stereo, the display flashes quickly the 3/2.1. It seems to detect the correct format. After flashing for few seconds, the displays go back to the earlier displays, which is STEREO.

My question is that does the Outlaw converts automatically 5.1 format movie into 2.1 format per my system configuration? My ears can't tell if I need or lack the center speaker. Thank you for taking the time to read and try to answer this.
lej1447
6 responses Add your response
newbie13
242 posts
 
75-80% of a sound track is on the center channel. If that wasn't being sent to the L/R speakers in your config it would be quite noticeable.
reubent
6,982 posts
 
You need to go into the DVD players audio menu and change the default output from Dolby Digital 5.1 to PCM or stereo. Otherwise, you are likely missing the signal that was intended to be sent to your center channel and surrounds.

Enjoy,

TIC
lej1447 OP
117 posts
 
Hi Reubent,

Since my wife is watching TV right now, I'll check the Pioneer DVD player later to see if there is a Stereo mode. Regarding the PCM, I believe that there won't be signal sent to the subwoofer via the optical audio. Whenever I watch or listen concert DVD in PCM mode, I don't hear much thumb thumb, and when I look in the back of the subwoofer, the red led light never turns green as it does not detect any subwoofer signal, unless the signal in PCM is really weak compared to the 5.1 format. Twirling my thumb... oh boy oh boy. heh heh heh. Crying in tears... but thank you any how.
maich
37 posts
 
I augment my center by using a completely different processor which produces DD 5.1 with NO center, NO rears and NO sub. This is not stereo! Dialog is present in left and right because you have defeated the center or instructed your processor that you have no center so that's the way sound is routed. The front panel display will read "digital THX" when DD 5.1 is present. It only reverts to "stereo" for PCM information.
reubent
6,982 posts
 
Lej1447,

Sorry, I didn't understand your original post until I read it again. I think you are correct that the pre/pro is recognizing the format that is output from the DVD player and breifly flashes that format on the display, then it goes into the mode that you have configured.

MY HT receiver does this too. Sometimes movie trailers or additional material on a DVD is encoded in DD 2.0 or some other format. I see my display change from DD 2.0 to DD 3/2/1, etc. as it goes from previews to the main feature. I think it is simply telling you what format is encoded on the disc at that time.

Your setup as you described it should be correct.

Enjoy,

TIC
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Yes it does it if you tell it you have no surrounds, still I would get a center channel speaker if I were you.
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