Surround Sound Not Always Working

[fosurejk]

I am new to the whole Surround Sound scene and just bought a Harman Kardon AVR 146 receiver with JBL 5.1 speaker package from my local best buy. Probably not the best set up but got what I thought was good in my price range. Recently plugged everything together and for about a month now been using it for TV, Games, and Blue-rays (PS3). I have it hooked up with HDMI to receiver with Optical audio too. Now the problem...some blue-rays are surround sound and some are not. I just watched edward scissorhands and it was not surround sound....on the Receiver it just shows the front 2 speakers(L R) as working..as opposed to some blue-rays it shows every speaker working on the display of the receiver. I am new and sorry if this has been asked but please help. Is there anything I need to do to get surround sound for all movies? Any calibrating? Please help. Also I am total newbie so basic terms please.
-Brandon

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by fosurejk

I am new to the whole Surround Sound scene and just bought a Harman Kardon AVR 146 receiver with JBL 5.1 speaker package from my local best buy. Probably not the best set up but got what I thought was good in my price range. Recently plugged everything together and for about a month now been using it for TV, Games, and Blue-rays (PS3). I have it hooked up with HDMI to receiver with Optical audio too. Now the problem...some blue-rays are surround sound and some are not. I just watched edward scissorhands and it was not surround sound....on the Receiver it just shows the front 2 speakers(L R) as working..as opposed to some blue-rays it shows every speaker working on the display of the receiver. I am new and sorry if this has been asked but please help. Is there anything I need to do to get surround sound for all movies? Any calibrating? Please help. Also I am total newbie so basic terms please.
-Brandon

The HDMI cable delivers picture and sound thru one cable. No optical needed for BD movies with an HDMI cable. I get surround with Ed Scissorhands. Take a close listen again sometime. You have 2 HDMI cables? One from BD player, out to receiver and one from receiver, out to TV?

[Arecsa]

Exactly. Lose the optical cable. PS3 ----> Receiver ----> TV over HDMI. And set the PS3 HDMI audio settings to LPCM.

[fosurejk]

Well when I first hooked up my system I thought HDMI did both but I was not getting any sound just video...so I used the optical from my ps3 to my receiver. And just hdmi to tv for video and that is it to my tv. and then I got sound. I think my cheap HK AVR146 only passes video through hdmi not sound at least that is what I have read other places and also in the manual it says something regarding that. Thanks for the help though. So anymore help will the appreciated. I do get surround sound on some movies like the patriot but not ed scissorhands and a few others..I have no clue what to do. I am sure its a setting I have to change but dont know which. also yes i have hdmi to receiver then another from receiver to tv..plus just one optical to receiver...yeah I have listened closely and i do hear some sound out of my rear speakers but why on my receiver is it only showing that the L and R are the ones working cuz when it is surround it shows all speakers lit up like B ,L ,C ,R ,LR, RR
-Brandon

[mikenike]

Originally Posted by fosurejk

Well when I first hooked up my system I thought HDMI did both but I was not getting any sound just video...so I used the optical from my ps3 to my receiver. And just hdmi to tv for video and that is it to my tv. and then I got sound. I think my cheap HK AVR146 only passes video through hdmi not sound at least that is what I have read other places and also in the manual it says something regarding that. Thanks for the help though. So anymore help will the appreciated. I do get surround sound on some movies like the patriot but not ed scissorhands and a few others..I have no clue what to do. I am sure its a setting I have to change but dont know which. also yes i have hdmi to receiver then another from receiver to tv..plus just one optical to receiver.
-Brandon

Sounds like your receiver is passthrough. Assuming so, you can only get 5.1 channels by bitstreaming tracks using lossy codecs (in other words, no true 5.1 PCM, DTS-HD MA, and TrueHD). You can try to get the PS3 to decode for you, but it would end up being downmixed to 2.1 channels through optical. Your best bet would be to use multichannel analog wires. =/

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by mikenike

Sounds like your receiver is passthrough. Assuming so, you can only get 5.1 channels by bitstreaming tracks using lossy codecs (in other words, no true 5.1 PCM, DTS-HD MA, and TrueHD). You can try to get the PS3 to decode for you, but it would end up being downmixed to 2.1 channels through optical. Your best bet would be to use multichannel analog wires. =/

The PS3 does not have analog outputs, the only way you can get lossless audio is through the HDMI connection.

[fosurejk]

so in other words its the receiver not being able to convert the sound?..I need new receiver? Which do you recommend to be able to do everything properly that blue ray offers. If I get a 7.1 but only have 5.1 speakers does that matter? And I really enjoy my jbl speakers and sub..is that a good set?

[Arecsa]

Some excellent lower priced receivers like the Onkyo 605 or Yamaha 661 are absolutely perfect for the PS3 and Blu-ray. I'd also have a look in the Home Theater forum for advice on choosing a receiver.

[olds403]

If you are not getting any sound via HDMI you need to use the optical cable for the audio. Your receiver is not able to process the audio via HDMI.

[crackinhedz]

if youre using optical cable (which you are)...set the PS3 Optical output to Bitstream.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by nhaase

The PS3 does not have analog outputs, the only way you can get lossless audio is through the HDMI connection.

Slight clarification - the PS3 only has 2 channel analog outputs. For non-HDMI audio equipped receivers, it's a great way to enjoy 2 channel SACD tracks.

Definitely hook your receiver back up with your digital optical cable, and set the BD/DVD output to bitstream as Crackinhedz stated. That will get you by until you spring for a new receiver. Since the PS3 decodes Dolby TrueHD, uncompressed PCM, and soon DTS-HD MA internally, you don't need a receiver with built in decoders if you don't want to pay for it. However, Yamaha just brought out their replacements for the 661, which are the RX-V 663 and HTR-6160. The receivers are identical throughout and have great amps and built-in decoders for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. You won't be able to take advantage of the receiver's decoders since your PS3 handles decoding, but having them built into the receiver will help future-proof your purchase. The retail price is $549, but you can find them cheaper online.

[BStecke]

If you like the HK stuff, the AVR 247 is the first in their line that will decipher HDMI audio. The only caveat I have about that receiver is that it has video processing for SD sources that cannot be turned off and, imo, it does a less than stellar job at upconverting. On the plus side, for your setup, if you have the DVD upscaler turned on on the PS3 then the receiver will just pass it through at 1080i/1080p and the video processing is eliminated.

How long ago was "just bought?" If you can still return it I would. If you're using Blu-ray, the receiver you have is obsolete out of the box, which is a shame when it's something you JUST bought, and I think you may end up kicking yourself over it in a few months, if you're not already. The AVR 247 is $350 at Amazon.

[fosurejk]

Yeah its passed the return date..or I would of returned. I am using the optical audio and its just weird to me that some movies sound great surround sound on the receiver it shows as all speakers are working 5.1. But then I watch a movie and it show just L and R are working 2.1. That is the question. I have it on the PS3 as you guys say to do and still no progress. So ultimately is it just a poor decision on receiver?...I guess the looks fooled me..LOL. Its just frustrating to notice this. I have just been really pleased since I have never had any audio system before this...just always used tv as audio.
-Brandon

Also, if i was to look into a new receiver what is the "BEST" for under $600 USD that will allow me to enjoy surround sound as blue-ray is supposed to be enjoyed with. Thanks