Forbidden Kingdom Denon 3800 DTS Issue

[rlmbluray]

This BD has DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 audio.

When playing this BD on the Denon 3800 I can not get 7.1 channels of DTS audio.

I am getting 3/2.1 DTS output from muti-channel audio with rear speakers "turned on", and I am getting only 3/2.1 DTS when processing through the Bit Stream coax output.

I am using Denon's most current software/firmware upgrade.

Does anyone have any input for me on why I am not getting 7.1 output?

[BIslander]

Are you bitstreaming or doing player decoding?

How are you connected?

What's your secondary audio setting?

The coax bitstream is always going to be limited to 5.1 because the S/PDIF interface only supports lossy 5.1 formats. You get DD and DTS, but not TrueHD or dts-MA or multichannel PCM.

[rlmbluray]

I have both my multi-channel and the coax digital out connected.

I am using 5.1 multi-channel analog outputs into Lexicon but for testing I have turned the rear speakers on.

I am trying to verify the existence of the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 channels.

I have HD Audio output selected.


Using the Lexicon status meters I can check the coax digital output from the Denon. The meters show 3/2.1 DTS. I was assuming that I could get a 7.1 DTS meter status display using bit stream.

For an SD DVD the Lexicon will process a DTS 7.1 bit stream so I assumed that it could also do that for a BD.

So what you are telling me is that I can not get the 7 channels of DTS from a BD when bit streaming the HD audio program.

How do I verify 7 channel DTS output on the Denon?

And, what is Denon doing with the rear channels when multi-channel analog output is set to 5.1?

Another question, when mixed audio is selected I am getting a 5.1 DD from the bit streamed coax. Where did that come from? It does not show up anywhere on the BD audio menu.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by rlmbluray

I have both my multi-channel and the coax digital out connected.

I am using 5.1 multi-channel analog outputs into Lexicon but for testing I have turned the rear speakers on.

I am trying to verify the existence of the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 channels.

I have HD Audio output selected.

If you have set the Denon to 5.1, how would you get a 7.1 output to the Lexicon? Or, do I not understand your multichannel analog setup?

Using the Lexicon status meters I can check the coax digital output from the Denon. The meters show 3/2.1 DTS. I was assuming that I could get a 7.1 DTS meter status display using bit stream.

Coax and optical max out at 5.1. You will never get 7.1 through them from any source.

For an SD DVD the Lexicon will process a DTS 7.1 bit stream so I assumed that it could also do that for a BD.

Your Lexicon may process the 5.1 input to create a 7.1 output. But, it's not 7.1 from the source over coax.

So what you are telling me is that I can not get the 7 channels of DTS from a BD when bit streaming the HD audio program.

That's correct if you are using a coax connection. Bitstreaming over HDMI is a different matter.

How do I verify 7 channel DTS output on the Denon?

Configure the Denon and Lexicon for 7.1 analog output. Play a 7.1 disc. Look at the Denon status to see what it says it is doing and listen to your rear speakers.

And, what is Denon doing with the rear channels when multi-channel analog output is set to 5.1?

It downmixes 7.1 to 5.1 prior to the digital-analog conversion.

Another question, when mixed audio is selected I am getting a 5.1 DD from the bit streamed coax. Where did that come from? It does not show up anywhere on the BD audio menu.

What do you mean by mixed audio?

[crackinhedz]

Coax and optical max out at 5.1

6.1 (lossy)

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

6.1 (lossy)

I believe DTS-ES encodes the rear channel into the six 5.1 channels. There is not actually a 7th discrete channel.

[jsteinhauer]

Forbidden Kingdom outputs 7.1 channels of lossless audio without problems using analog outputs from my 3800. The questions about why you don't see it are well answered above.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by BIslander

I believe DTS-ES encodes the rear channel into the six 5.1 channels. There is not actually a 7th discrete channel.

"The only digital audio format in our industry that is capable of delivering 6.1 channels of discrete audio on standard definition content is DTS-ES..."

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

"The only digital audio format in our industry that is capable of delivering 6.1 channels of discrete audio on standard definition content is DTS-ES..."

Whatever.

DTS-ES is a special little backwater of the legacy DTS extension structure. It was rarely used prior to the development of the HD codecs. I don't know that any discs are being released with that format now. And it is not supported by the "limited" and "essential" DTS decoders being installed on BD players.

The OP is trying to figure out why he gets 5.1 when bitstreaming a 7.1 dts-MA track over a coax connection. S/PDIF doesn't support 7.1 dts-MA or 6.1 dts-MA or even 5.1 dts-MA. How is a discussion of this odd ball DTS-ES format helpful to him or to anyone else?

But, allow me to amend my original statement to say S/PDIF is limited to the legacy DD and DTS formats, which max out at 5.1 except for a handful of discs using DTS-ES for 6.1.

[crackinhedz]

no need to be offended.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by rlmbluray

Another question, when mixed audio is selected I am getting a 5.1 DD from the bit streamed coax. Where did that come from? It does not show up anywhere on the BD audio menu.

Under "MIX" mode, the machine is taking your primary and secondary tracks and mixing them into a lossy DD track that your AVR can understand. This is stated on pg 12 towards the mid-right as footnote 1.

You will never get discrete 7.1 speaker output from your 5.1 analog inputs on your Lexicon.