Is this setup delivering 5.1/dolby surround sound?

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battletank1000

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#55657 7-Jan-2010 15:10

Hey there, I wonder if you can help me. I am trying to get Dolby surround from my components to my home theatre system. The following components are connected via HDMI cables to my TV. I have then run a digital optical out cable from the TV to my home theatre system.

I currently have:

1. Xbox 360
2. Sony Home Theatre: DAV-DZ590K
3. My Sky HDi
4. HDD recorder

TV: KDL-40V5500

Will this setup deliver the correct 5.1 surround sound to my Home theatre system? I think that it is working because when I play Xbox 360 (Modern warfare 2) I can hear the helicopter flying right around me for example. E.g., engine noise comes out the rear left speaker when the chopper is behind me, to the left in game. Is this proper 5.1 surround sound?

Cheers.

allstarnz

1719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#287888 7-Jan-2010 20:35

sounds like it.... if you have Sky Sport, most of the rugby and cricket from NZ should have proper surround too (crowd noise coming from the rear speakers). Also TV3 will only use the front speakers except for the stuff with a proper 5.1 soundtrack (movies mostly)

battletank1000

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#287966 8-Jan-2010 00:21

Cheers Allstarnz. Out of curiosity, how can you tell before buying, if your TV is capable of passing through a 5.1 surround sound digital signal from components connected to it via its HDMI inputs? I read that most TVs don't allow this 5.1 surround sound pass through. I guess I just got lucky with my choice?

Any help appreciated.

allstarnz

1719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#288103 8-Jan-2010 12:54

not too sure sorry, i just use it, I didn't set it all up :)

minimoke

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#288159 8-Jan-2010 15:03

Battletank. It looks like your setup will be OK as long as the source is "Dolby Digital" - this is the 5.1 source you are looking for on your home theatre system.

If you check your manual you'll see, under the Specifications, your HDMI inputs allow "Dolby Digital". This means your TV can accept 5.1 from your My Sky HDi. (I'm not sure about your xbox as I dont have one - but if Xbox does Dolby Digital and the game you are playing is Dolby Digital you'll be fine. In the Specs you'll also see you Optical Output outputs Dolby Digital so this should allow the 5.1 sound to pass from your components - through the TV - to the Home Theatre amp - out to the 5.1 speakers. I think you just need to make sure you press the "Digital" option on your remote (not the Analogue).

You should also get freeview 5.1 off your TV through your amp. But as Allstarz say this only works on TV3 (not TV3 + 1) and none of the other channels (like TV1, 2, Prime or Maori). Only TV3 shows that have the HD 5.1 logo on the screen will be 5.1. They do some HD shows that are only stereo - so don't expect anything from these. TVNZ need to up their game and get 5.1 on their HD shows - but thats probably a while away yet.

The only component that wont do 5.1 (as far as I can tell) is your HDD - this will only record stereo so it can only send out stereo.