Question about Onkyo TX SR705

[Kayne314]

I've recently purchased the Onkyo TX SR705, and a question about it's PCM through HDMI was brought up in another thread here in the home theater discussion.

When I run PCM HDMI into the Receiver, and run an uncompressed audio into it, I don't get a full surround through all my speakers when receiving direct. I only get sound through the center channel and front left and right speakers. I however DO get full surround when I use PLIIx Movie or another such sound mode. I was under the impression the PLIIx Movie mode as well as the others were simply a tonal arrangement of the PCM audio, and therefore I was still getting a direct audio, but correctly directed to all my speakers.

Because the Receiver is a 7.1 receiver, and I only use a 5.1 speaker set-up. I'm wondering if I have to add 2 side speakers to take full advantage of the Uncompressed Audio. I have only tried uncompressed 5.1 audio tracks such as the Remastered Fifth Element. Are the 2 missing channels meant for side surround not rear surround? And if so, why?

My Sub woofer is definitely working, no matter what I use, it is only the two rear speakers that have me stumped.

I use the PS3 80gb unit to play my BR disks, and have it set-up for HDMI PCM.

Suggestions?

[JimSD]

Do you have your surround speakers hooked up to SBL/SBR or SL/SR? From what I've read they should be hooked up to the SL/SR terminals on the back of the receiver if you have a 5.1 speaker set-up.

[Kayne314]

I have them hooked up to SBL and SBR. I'll try to switch them and see how it sound when they are hooked up to SL and SR.

I'll get back to you on this one.

Thanks JimSD

[JimSD]

I've been researching receivers, including the 705, and happened to read about several other people over at AVS with the same issue that you had. Good luck with it.

[Kayne314]

JimSD

Okay, thank-you!

This was my problem after all. I switched to SL/SR and there it was. I was making the stupid mistake of assuming that because the speakers are set up behind me, that they had to be hooked up to the rear hook-ups. This explains why I had to use a movie mix mode instead of DIRECT or MULTICH. Now it sounds just fine, and I know I'm getting the best sound without over-mixing.

Any day I learn something new, I count as a good day.

Thank-you very much.

[DJ Scotty]

Originally Posted by Kayne314

JimSD

Okay, thank-you!

This was my problem after all. I switched to SL/SR and there it was. I was making the stupid mistake of assuming that because the speakers are set up behind me, that they had to be hooked up to the rear hook-ups. This explains why I had to use a movie mix mode instead of DIRECT or MULTICH. Now it sounds just fine, and I know I'm getting the best sound without over-mixing.

Any day I learn something new, I count as a good day.

Thank-you very much.

Kayne,

I told you I had a feeling that using PRO LOGIC II MOVIE mode was not right for listening to the PCM tracks -- indeed, MULTICHANNEL I believe is the right display for the receiver to be reading.....I dont believe DIRECT is correct because you lose bass management and such; but glad to see you got it working bud!

[Kayne314]

You are correct, and now we both know.

I'm not noticing a huge difference in my audio, but now I have more confidence in my set-up.
I'm not sure if I like the increased bass of Multichannel over Direct, but I do notice the difference. Hope you've found all your solutions too.

[WickyWoo]

Prologic 2 is meant to turn stereo sources, or stereo sources with a matrixed mono surround channel into pseudo 5.1