ATSC Digital Audio Quality, Technology, Issues

[Foxenhimr]

The tuner is a Hauppage 2250 - I think that should do 5.1 ? There must be a setting in the software ( so far i've looked at WinTV, Next PVR ) that I must be missing. I haven't tried Windows Media Centre yet...

[stampeder]

Check the specifications of any ATSC tuner or converter that you buy. From Post #16 in the OTA FAQ:

Not all ATSC tuners output HD! For people who have TVs, VCRs, etc. that get only NTSC (analogue) programming a new type of ATSC tuner is available to allow reception of the new digital OTA stations. These converter boxes are not full-fledged tuners/receivers but in fact simply take the digital OTA signals and convert them to NTSC analogue. For example, the effect on watching a program is that if a true ATSC tuner provides it in 1080i High Definition resolution with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, the converter box downsizes the image to 480i resolution with 2.0 stereo audio. Again, these converter boxes are simply to allow older NTSC gear (TVs, VCRs, etc.) to display the digital OTA programming.

So, if your tuner is advertised as being able to process Dolby Digital 5.1 audio from OTA DTV (ATSC) signals then you are good to go. This assumes that the programming being televised on a particular OTA DTV station at a particular time has a 5.1 soundtrack.

[ScaryBob]

The tuner is a Hauppage 2250 - I think that should do 5.1 ? There must be a setting in the software ( so far i've looked at WinTV, Next PVR ) that I must be missing. I haven't tried Windows Media Centre yet...

This setup will provide DD5.1 with stations that broadcast it. There are a number of things that must be done to make it happen.
1. The application must be configured for DD5.1. Sometimes that means installing and configuring an external codec/decoder. AC3Filter is a good one if there isn't one already installed.
2. The sound card and/or audio device must be configured to use DD5.1.
3. The correct digital audio connection must be made between the PC and A/V receiver, either digital audio coax or optical cable. That can also be HDMI on newer receivers.
4. The A/V receiver must be configured to use the digital source.

[classicsat]

The 2250 will just copy the Transport Stream from antenna to the software, regardless of what is in the stream. Software will decode that, or pass the DD to your surround receiver, if configured as Scarybob describes.

Yes, broadcast can do 5.1 Dolby. I got it last week or so when CTVTwo aired Independence Day, which I received from CTV2 London.

[Foxenhimr]

@Scarybob

I've got steps 2 through 4 all covered, as I play .mvk files with 5.1 from the HTPC no problem. It's step number one, I'll need to look into.

Thanks for the help folks !