TV3 Dolby 5.1 is only Stereo on advertised 5.1 programs

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timbo305

11 posts

Geek

# 42462 5-Oct-2009 15:42

Anyone else experienceing this problem.
I used to get NCIS and CSI Miami on Sunday nights as full surrround, but in the last two weeks only the standard left and right channels are encoded on the dolby stream.
I have a Sony TV with Freeview build in, feeding the surround amp through an optical cable. The amp displays that it is decoding Dolby Surround (whcih it does only when you tune to TV3) however, only the left and right channels have any audio on them. To prove it wasn't the amp, I grabbed an old DVD player and ran the optical cable from it to the same input on the amp and played a Dolby 5.1 DVD, all channels work fine.
This all used to work fine, so I can only deduce that TV3 and or Freeview are only encoding L&R on these programs. The next test will be Tuesday night with CSI New York which is also supposed to be 5.1

I am receving via the Wellington Mt Kaukau transmitter.

1 | 2

6995 posts

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# 261287 5-Oct-2009 15:46

Just a quick check, are there any output options on your TV controlling the digital output. On some set top boxes there's an option of PCM or AC3. If this has changed, then it will act as you describe. Could have been with an over the air update for example.

timbo305

11 posts

Geek

# 261296 5-Oct-2009 16:01

I have checked the output settings from the TV, I get two options Auto and PCM. It is set to Auto which the TV manual says to set to when connected to equipment compatible with Dolby. The fact the the amp is displaying full Dolby decode suggests to me that the Dolby 5.1 stream is OK from the TV.

ilovemusic

1270 posts

Uber Geek

# 261315 5-Oct-2009 16:28

Noticed the same thing in Christchurch and Palmerston North for the past week or so, you're not imagining things.

TV3's Dolby Digital stream has been reduced to two-channels on its HD5.1 TV shows and movies (like last Saturday's Star Wars film).

:(

lchiu7

5213 posts

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# 261410 5-Oct-2009 20:13

Hmm - I hadn't noticed this at all since I record the shows but watch them later. The last two NCIS shows have been in stereo only (well there's certainly no surround channels) and when I playback the ones before with surround the absence of the rear channels is pretty noticeable.

I know it's not my setup since I have .ts captures of all shows and play them back on a Popcorn Hour and some play with surround, and the latest ones don't. Guess it's time to complain to TV3

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timbo305

11 posts

Geek

# 261545 6-Oct-2009 10:41

I have phoned TV3 to lodge a fault report, they got me to phone Freeview and lodge a fault with them. I have yet to hear back from Freeview, but my guess they will refer it back to TV3. Watch this space.

Jimbo2380

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 261709 6-Oct-2009 14:51

ilovemusic: Noticed the same thing in Christchurch and Palmerston North for the past week or so, you're not imagining things.

TV3's Dolby Digital stream has been reduced to two-channels on its HD5.1 TV shows and movies (like last Saturday's Star Wars film).

:(

I have had exactly the same problem in Tauranga for the past week, fine up till then. Have rechecked all Freeview TV (Panasonic TH-42PZ850), optical hookup and receiver (Kenwood KRF-V5060D) settings, all OK, but still only stereo when 5.1 advertised, and displayed as "5.1 surround" at programme start and after commercial breaks.

timbo305

11 posts

Geek

# 261737 6-Oct-2009 15:49

No more news from fault report phone calls this morning. (TV3 and Freeview). Will be interesting to see if there is any change on TV3 8:30pm tonight (CSI:New York), which is advertised as 5.1

ilovemusic

1270 posts

Uber Geek

# 261742 6-Oct-2009 16:03

I filed a complaint with Freeview.

Yet to get a reply.

Will keep an ear out tonight.

;)

Oblivian

3517 posts

Uber Geek

# 261768 6-Oct-2009 17:09

Heh I noticed this with the movie Shooter, and soon after the first ad break it changed to Dolby Stereo logo. (no awesome .50cal-ness :( )

I did notice it on CSI or something the other night that it didn't have the same punch it normally does (previously the full 5.1 ive had to turn the amp down a little to stop the sub walking across the room)

Definately spotted StarWars was crud.

Have to keep an eye on the other stuff. They've spent OOOODDLES on the compression units, so may come back and say they have decreased the source quality and it no longer has 5.1

ilovemusic

1270 posts

Uber Geek

# 261798 6-Oct-2009 18:33

Got a stock reply from a Freeview robot;

"Please try a 'factory reset' or 're-installation' - press the 'menu' button on the digital receiver remote and follow the menu options.

If you are having problems with your Freeview Decoder or Set Top Box, please see the manufacturer or retailer you had purchased it from."

Clearly no human read my message as I clearly stated all my equipment was working 100%.

A pathetic response akin to the rubbish you get from Sky.

timbo305

11 posts

Geek

# 261804 6-Oct-2009 18:53

I too also go the stock reply from Freeview:

"Please try a 'factory reset' or 're-installation' - press the 'menu' button on the digital receiver remote and follow the menu options.
If you are having problems with your Freeview Decoder or Set Top Box, please see the manufacturer or retailer you had purchased it from.
To find a retailer near you, please click on link below
http://freeviewnz.tv/index.php?section_id=6
"

I have now replied via their web site again.

lchiu7

5213 posts

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# 261832 6-Oct-2009 20:10

I received the following e-mail from Mediaworks once I sent an inquiry on their web site

"Greetings

We are currently working thru an issue that we have with 5.1 sound. We are hoping to clear this up as soon as possible.

TV3"

So looks like it's a TV3 issue and nothing to do with Freeview

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/32019730 Mention GZ to get a 10% discount