FIXED: DVP5960 Not Sending Multi-Channel Sound via Coax Cable

[MeInHiDef]

Hello everyone!

Please help save me from returning my Phillips DVP5960

I have the DVP5960 hooked up to a Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV via an HDMI cable. In addition, I have a digital coax cable output from the DVP5960 to a coax input on my Sony STR-DE898 Home Theater Receiver.

I unplugged the coax from my existing DVD Recorder and plugged it into the DVP5960 ... the DVD Recorder was outputting 5/6/7.1 multi-channel surround sound without any difficulties on this cable, on the same coax input on my Receiver.

So I throw in any DVD with a 5.1 or higher soundtrack.

I get stereo sound through the speakers on the TV, and also stereo sound on the receiver. No surround sound. The receiver doesn't see any multi-channel information to decode. It has an extremely bright blue LED on the front panel, so it's very easy to see if the receiver is getting an encoded sound signal.

Now, here's the interesting part. If I unplug the HDMI cable, either at the TV or the DVP5960 (basically break the connection), my receiver immediately starts receiving encoded information, the blue light comes on, and presto! I Have surround sound.

So what gives? The player is obviously sending the multi-channel information over the HDMI cable when it is plugged in. This is very frustrating! It is an upconvert player, so I really need to have it hooked up via HDMI, because if I connect it via Component cables I lose the upconvert functionality.

Please, anyone with any tips, suggestions, or additional troubleshooting ... reply with your ideas. I'll try anything. I really like the player, the USB 1.1 input right on the front is great for connecting an iPod, etc.

Cheers!
MeInHiDef 8)

[mnlop]

Check this post or read the entire thread
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1621220#1621220

There are reports that with this firmware you can fix your issue. You can also upgrade to the oficial firmware but you then have problems with divx packed bitstream files.

I think this player can't handle ipod video files, do you upload avi files to the ipod? so those files can't be played on the ipod but in your dvp5960 right?

EDIT: after reading the final posts in that thread I think your issue (or other one) still not working with that firmware. So just try this firmware and the original and keep which is better for your situation.

[MeInHiDef]

Sorry, it's not a *true* iPod but a knock-off ... it's a CoWon iAudio 30GB model. I haven't yet tried any AVI files ... some .mpeg's appear to work, and of course most of the music formats. Basically when I connect it, it starts at the root folder and I can browse to MUSIC, MOVIES, etc.

I assume that you can use an iPod as a storage device just like I'm doing. And to answer your question, no, the video files I was playing via the iAudio connected to the DVP5960 over USB are NOT playable on the iAudio device itself. It's just acting as a HDD.

I'm afraid to do the firmware, but I'll read the entire thread you reference and see what happens.

Cheers!

[MeInHiDef]

YAY! Fixed by updating the firmware on the player.

Shame on Phillips ... must have been a "Rush to Market" product.

After updating the firmware, the menu option for Digital Out -> All is now subtitled "For use with a mulit-channel audio receiver"

Here is the offical firmware link, with pdf instructions and how to access your revision numbers:
http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productDocuments.html?ProductCode=DVP5960/37&subCat=...SU_US_CONSUMER

I went from V: 37.06.42.18 SV: 00.00.03.08 to V: 37.06.42.29 SV: 00.00.04.08

I threw in Alone in the Dark, which has a DTS ES 6.1 Discreet audio track, and my receiver picked up the DTS and decoded it, no problem. So now I finally have great looking video, AND awesome sound!

Thanks!
MeInHiDef

[grokus]

Thanks, this has bothered me in the last two weeks too. I am glad that I searched on this forum and found the solution. I applied the firmware and it solved my problem.

One caveat: I lost video signal after the upgrade, then I was lucky enough to remember in another thread on this forum that you need to press the "upconvert" button to get video back.