Why Do I Not Get Surround Sound When Using My Directv Hd Dvr Receiver?
I just hooked up my dvd player (to my yamaha 5.1 receiver via digital coaxial cable) and my directv hd dvr receiver (to my yamaha 5.1 receiver via digital optical cable). When I use the dvd player I get sound from all speakers (front r, l rear r, l center and subwoofer. When I use my directv receiver I only get sound from the front 2 speakers. Is this because there aren’t many broadcasts on television broadcasting in 5.1 or am I missing something with my settings? There doesn’t seem to be anything on the directv receiver settings that would allow or disallow 5.1. The only setting is dolby on or off. I have tried it both ways. Many thanks!
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You have to enable Dolby Digital. Go to the setup menu to audio options and select Dolby Digital output. Almost all HD programs broadcast Dolby Digital 5.1
Also check your Yamaha receiver to make sure that the DBS input (or whatever you are using for the DTV dvr) is selecting digital input.
Yamaha’s defaults to the coax being a CD PCM input so you need to look in the manual for how to change its configuration, and yes it is a pain. Optical will need configuration as well. You gave no model number so no step by step for you.
Next you need to check your settings on the DirecTV receiver , these will be defaulted to 2 channel output even on digital coax.
Next is the content, make sure you have a program that has 5.1 DD. Easy way is premium movie channels, most of these will have 5.1 content most of the time.
Check all your manuals for just what you need to configure more than likely it is a settings issue or no content.