Neo:6 vs Dolby Digital - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

squirt00 · 2007-01-02, 03:52 PM

I have been wathcing movies on bell expressvu in neo:6 using an optical cable and it sounds great, much better than pro logic 1 or 2 from what I can hear. Also I have been watching dvd's in dolby digital (using a cheap optical cable) and I've been experiencing difficulty hearing dialog clearly. Even with the center channel at the +10 setting (max). Could this be due to the cheap optical cable or is it a speaker issue? I do have a stage 2 monster line conditioner aswell. Thanks for all who respond.

Ham.Clan · 2007-01-02, 07:19 PM

I find setting my Sony receiver to "Auto A.F.D." provides the best possible audio quality for whatever source material I am watching, and I don't have to do a thing.
If I'm watching a movie and it's DTS, or DD 5.1, the receiver automatically reproduces that sound source.
In my experience, I would only tinker with the audio settings if the source material was PCM 48 or DD 2.1.

Ham.Clan

synmag · 2007-01-02, 08:55 PM

I would only calibrate with a known good source like dvd/hd-dvd because there are all kinds of issues with what the channel provider is sending you.
If your system sounds good with a dvd then leave it and write off problems with BEV as source issues.

jbracing24 · 2007-01-02, 10:33 PM

It would really be good for you to tell us what equipment you are running and the audio configuration.
Generally, getting the dialog volume from the center channel can be a problem in DD. Unless you have a hardware problem, adjustments to your "soundfield" might be required. Using the test noise, you can approximate speaker settings if you don't have a meter or autocalibration. Start with the front left and right levels and get them to a manageable level. If your receiver levels go from -10 to +10, maybe work at zero for the fronts and build from there. The center might then be more acceptable in the +5 to +7 range for dialog. Because surrounds might be closer, they might even be -1 to -2 level. But you try to get a balanced sweet spot from the sweep of the test noise.

2007-01-02, 03:52 PM	#1
squirt00 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Neo:6 vs Dolby Digital I have been wathcing movies on bell expressvu in neo:6 using an optical cable and it sounds great, much better than pro logic 1 or 2 from what I can hear. Also I have been watching dvd's in dolby digital (using a cheap optical cable) and I've been experiencing difficulty hearing dialog clearly. Even with the center channel at the +10 setting (max). Could this be due to the cheap optical cable or is it a speaker issue? I do have a stage 2 monster line conditioner aswell. Thanks for all who respond.

2007-01-02, 08:55 PM	#3
synmag Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 73	I would not calibrate my receiver based on BEV audio I would only calibrate with a known good source like dvd/hd-dvd because there are all kinds of issues with what the channel provider is sending you. If your system sounds good with a dvd then leave it and write off problems with BEV as source issues. __________________ Toshiba 56hm195 DLP, Harman/Kardon AVR335, LG LDA-530 dvd, Pioneer CLD-S201 LD Sony DVP-S330 dvd, Celestion DL8 mains, Energy center+sub

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2007-01-02, 07:19 PM	#2
Ham.Clan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Highlands Posts: 773	I find setting my Sony receiver to "Auto A.F.D." provides the best possible audio quality for whatever source material I am watching, and I don't have to do a thing. If I'm watching a movie and it's DTS, or DD 5.1, the receiver automatically reproduces that sound source. In my experience, I would only tinker with the audio settings if the source material was PCM 48 or DD 2.1. Ham.Clan

2007-01-02, 10:33 PM	#4
jbracing24 Veteran Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Thorold Ontario Posts: 2,265	It would really be good for you to tell us what equipment you are running and the audio configuration. Generally, getting the dialog volume from the center channel can be a problem in DD. Unless you have a hardware problem, adjustments to your "soundfield" might be required. Using the test noise, you can approximate speaker settings if you don't have a meter or autocalibration. Start with the front left and right levels and get them to a manageable level. If your receiver levels go from -10 to +10, maybe work at zero for the fronts and build from there. The center might then be more acceptable in the +5 to +7 range for dialog. Because surrounds might be closer, they might even be -1 to -2 level. But you try to get a balanced sweet spot from the sweep of the test noise.