Dolby Digital

[AuroEdge]

With my receiver I have right now, I can test to make sure all the speakers are connected correctly. It'll play static on 1 speaker at a time for a few seconds and show which speaker should be making sound on the LED. I was wondering if there's test DVDs that will let me know my DVD Standalone Player is configured correctly. This is assuming the DVD Player is hooked up to the receiver via analog audio cables. At the very least I would need to be sure that it's not in 'stereo' mode but in 5.1 mode. I'm not sure what else it would do but that's all I'd need. Thanks

[Grimey]

Do have Dolby Digital surround you need a digital audio cable from your dvd player to your reciever(coaxial or optical). If you're only using analog cables, then you won't get true dolby digital. you'll probably get pro-logic sound, which is an analog signal played from all speakers, but is not true surround. Using analog cables the easiest way to test if it's in pro-logic would be to put your ear up to each speaker while something is playing.

[AuroEdge]

Okay sounds good. Thanks for the tip

[bmiller]

On the back of the dvd player,there will be a rca style jack labeled digital.Mine is orange so it's not to be confused with the red and white stereo jacks.The other option you may have is a small black plug labeled optical or digital.This is the optical style cable.Both will provide a path for dolby 5.1 or dts audio to your reciever.Some equipment will have one or the other,some will have both.Aproblem that can come up is one style on the dvd player and the other style on the reciever.There are adapters you can get at places like radio shack to join these 2 types if need be.

[AuroEdge]

I got a nice Sony player so while not the best brand to go with, it's not bad. It has coaxial, optical (digital), and good ole composite audio jacks. My next step is to get a good receiver. Any good brands/stores I should go with?

[Grimey]

The thing with surround recievers is that they're pretty expensive for a good system. you have to buy the reciever, and then 5 speakers and a subwoofer on top of that. look online at best buy or something like that.

[AuroEdge]

Yes they are . My current receiver only has Dolby ProLogic. No Dolby Digital or DTS decoders. The speakers are okay but I'm ready to upgrade. And at the time that I bought everything, heh they cost a pretty penny

[louthewiz]

If you want to get a unit with a decent decoder and sound get an onkyo or yamaha or denon which is top of the line then comes kenwood with thx select which is nice and then panasonic/technics and sony which I personally dont like but thats the home theatre hobby. If you are on a tight budget try www.ecost.com I have purchased from them and they have great customer service and products at a fair price.