How do I play DVD-Audio discs?

[djphotoman]

I have the DVD-Audio disc The Doors LA Woman, and can't seem to get it to play in multichannel sound. I have my Harmon Kardon AVR receiver hooked to my Toshiba DVD player with the optical digital cable and it won't let me select Dolby Digital surround, instead it only plays part of the music in the left and right channels and none in the center. Someone told me I need to use direct 6 channel inputs, but I thought I could play with the setup I already have. Any suggestions?

thanks.

[Suntan]

If your Tosh is a DVD Audio capable player you will need 6 analog cables between it and the amp. Only a very few higher end DVDA players have the encrypted link that allows digital transport of the DVDA signal. If the DVDA has a lower quality AC3 "copy" on it you can play that back via sp/dif connection, but you will not be getting the full 24/96 resolution DVDA sound.

-Suntan

[djphotoman]

Thanks Suntan. I saw a set of them at Best Buy for 149.00 by Monster Cable. Not sure why 6 RCA cables would have to cost so much, but I guess you're paying for the name.

Anyway, I understand that DVD-Audio is better than CD in stereo, and as good as CD in surround.

[Suntan]

Not eactly,

First, Monster Cable is way over priced for what you get. While I don't want to spark an interconnects quality debate with anyone, all you need is a good set of quad shielded cables. If you get something from Best Buy, the blue Acustic Research audio cables will work just fine. Either get a set for 5.1 analog connections or just get 3 sets of stereo connections, whichever is cheaper. The only advantage to the 5.1 set is that they are individually color coded so that they are easier to keep track of while you are connecting them.

Second, DVD-A quality (of course it is up to the quality of the mix, but assuming the mix is good and takes full advantage of the parameters of DVD-A) is much better than CD in 5.1 and much much better than CD in stereo.

In stereo it can support 2 channels at 24bit/192khz (versus 16bit/44.1khz for CD) the higher bit resolution allows for larger dynamics of the sound (quiter quites and louder louds) while the higher frequency resolution allows for higher frequency to be recorded. Although the human ear can not directly "hear" frequencies after about 16 to 20khz, it is debated that having the higher frequencies present in the playback enhances the quality (again, a debate not intended to start). In 5.1 mode, it can support 6 channels at 24bits/96khz (vs 16bit/44.1khz)

-Suntan

[djphotoman]

Suntan, thanks for clearing it up for me. I admit I'm somewhat a home theater novice, (last time I looked Dolby Prologic was the craze). Thanks again for the info and advice. HDTV is next!

David

[DTSL06]

Suntan summed it up well. Just go to Radio Shack and get their higher end DVD-Audio cables or use any 3 pairs of good stereo cables. I use to distrubute high end HI-FI cables (speaker cables @ $4500+/10ft pairs and interconnects at $700+/meter pairs). Some cables are excellent and some are hype. 8) But with most home systems set up for HT the cable diff's would not be noticeable. But if u are into the real esoteric stuff, cables do make a diff (esp with analog) but then how much diff for the $ will vary with ur milage.

[broadwayrock]

Dont forget that dvd-a will allow playback of certain parts ONLY on a dvd-audio player. While the other parts can be played on any regular dvd player.

For example on the dvd-a of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours you can play the 5:1 mix on any dvd player, while to play the high res stereo mix you will need a dvd-audio player.

[djphotoman]

Wow, I purchased the AR cables and hooked up my DVD-A player for direct 6 channel and it sounds great! I'm getting all the music and voices now from the DVD Audio disc. (Had to refer to the user guide to see how to tell the player to play in multtrack and then select 6 ch from my AVR remote. One gripe is, I did notice that I had to raise the volume on my powered subwoofer a good bit when playing music in this mode, and I will have to remember to lower it when playing DVD movies in Dolby Digital.

thanks for the help and advice everyone.

David