Analog inputs and speaker settings

[narsibvl]

Am I right in assuming that when you have the audio through 5/1 or 7/1 analog inputs, it bypasses the speaker settings of the receiver ? or does it depend on the receiver itself ?

I will get more into my issue once I confirm this

Thanks
Narsi

[kpkelley]

I believe it depends on the receiver and which mode it is in. For example, if in Direct, the audio would be undistorted by settings in the receiver, whereas Mutlichannel would make the adjustments according to the receiver levels. I could be wrong

Another note is that some players allow you to program the analog output levels, I know the Panasonic DMP-BD55 allows you to manipulate these.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Yes, when you use analog inputs on your reciever, you lose the ability to tweak the sound. Your reciever will be acting solely as an amplifier. Some players have a handful of sound options like speaker size or bass boost but you are still at the mercy of the players DAC's (Digital to Analog Converter). The best is bitstream the audio codec(PS3 can't do this) or have the player decode the audio codec and then send it to your reciever as a LPCM signal (HDMI connection only - PS3 can do this).

[narsibvl]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Yes, when you use analog inputs on your reciever, you lose the ability to tweak the sound. Your reciever will be acting solely as an amplifier. Some players have a handful of sound options like speaker size or bass boost but you are still at the mercy of the players DAC's (Digital to Analog Converter). The best is bitstream the audio codec(PS3 can't do this) or have the player decode the audio codec and then send it to your reciever as a LPCM signal (HDMI connection only - PS3 can do this).

Bitstreaming audio codecs is not an option for me because I have one of those old non hdmi receivers and the reason for my question is I have the famous " low centre volume "issue that everybody else is having.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Yeah, I figured you didn't have an HDMI reciever when I saw the question, analogs will work until you can upgrade

Luckily, you can still use analog inputs and adjust the levels of each speaker on your reciever. You just can't process anything or apply any crossovers, bass-boosts, surround modes etc. Try turning the center channel level up on your receiver when you use the analog connection.