Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Help a HT dufus out - THX

Hi gang,

I just got a Denon AVR-2105 and hooked it up to my 5 speakers and sub. Speakers are wired correctly - 2 mains, center, LR surrounds and sub - polarity OK on all. When I launch the autocalibrate function with the receiver it begins to test each speaker, and everything appears normal - when a specific speaker/sub is being calibrated, only that speaker/sub outputs noise. Then I connected my DVD player via L/R composite cables to the DVD IN inputs on the receiver and put in a Pixar DVD. This DVD has a THX calibration feature that you're probably familiar with - does a sound test for each speaker and sub. However when it tests a specfic speaker ALL speakers output noise, the only exception is that the main right is silent when the main left is tested and vice versa. The sub makes no noise at all, period. It seems that based on this test I'm in 2-channel stereo mode.

I suspect this has something to do with the way my DVD player is connected or the age of the unit, but my main concern is to make sure the receiver is OK since it's a refurb and I have a limited return time. I've tried all kinds of buttons on the receiver to no avail with the THX calibration. My DVD player is a Sony DVP-NS700P, about 5 years old but has "dts digital out" and "dolby digital" printed on the front. Does anyone know what's the deal here? Do I need to connect the DVD player via the optical jack? Do I need a new DVD player? Do I need a hole in my head?

Much thanks,

Newbie

Why don't you try the optical link and see what happens?

I seem to recall someone telling me that the "true" 5.1 information is not accurately sent unless you use the optical link. Perhaps someone else can give you some better information.

In order to get 5.1 from a DVD you need to connect your DVD player to the 2105 with a digital connection, NOT the composite (you may connect both if you wish, but it's not necessary).



The 2105 has 4 digital inputs, 1 coaxial, and 3 optical. Most DVD players have outputs for both, but some set top cable or satellite boxes only have one or the other. Check to see if you have a component that has ONLY a coaxial output. If you do then, you'll have to use an optical connection for your DVD player.

You'll need either a digital coaxial cable,



or a toslink digital optical cable.



Don't hook BOTH up, just one or the other, and either will suffice.

If you click on the links above, you'll see that a decent digital cable will cost you less than $10 plus shipping. You can pay more if you wish. Radio Shack will have both if you're in a hurry.

Two things which can be confusing to a person unfamiliar with optical cables are, 1) the little square black thing sticking out of an optical jack is a protector and is meant to be removed before attempting a connection. Just pull the little sucker out (I recommend tucking it away somewhere and hanging on to it. I have all mine in a little medicine bottle) Some components don't have that little black thing. The input is covered by a little trap door which will swing out of the way when the cable is inserted into the input. And 2) There will be a small, clear, soft plastic nipple on each end of an optical digital cable. These are also to be removed, and saved, before connecting.

OOPS! I forgot number 3. The cable is shaped so that it can only go into the jack one way. Check the shape of the the jack and the cable end to be sure you match them up. When you have it correct, the cable end goes in the jack quite easily with a satisfying little "snick."

If you go with the coaxial connection, disregard the above.

Don't forget that you'll have to go into the 2105's input setup menu and "assign" the input you've chosen to the DVD player (see page 29 of the 2105's manual).

Thank you both for responding. Thanks Ajax for your thorough reply - I appreciate the details! I'm pretty sure my DVD player has both coaxial and optical outs. I'll follow your advice. Thanks again.

I used some Radio Shack Gold series optical for my DVD player audio, works like a charm, and much cheaper than "Money Cable" ha ha

Randy

Denon 2805
60's 150 350 4-Qs8s

You're welcome. Let us know if everything is working OK.

Thanks for the info Jack, just one question though.

Optical or coaxial...which of these two connects is preferred, or does it really matter?

Which ever one you like It really dosent matter Rick.

I went with coax -- the logic being that if I ended up with too many coax digital cables I could use them as video cables, but if I ended up with too many optical cables all I could do is fix the turn signal remote indicators on the vintage Corvette I can't afford...

Ajax, thanks for you help. I got the toslink cable yesterday and hooked it up. Things are definitely better now, sounds flying around the room from speaker to speaker and sub thumping away when I watch a movie. Now when I try that THX optimizer on my DVD the front L/R and center channels fire independently but the L/R surrounds fire together (supposed to fire separately) and the sub doesn't fire at all. Still when I run the receiver's autocalibrate function they all work properly, so I'm not going to worry about it.

BTW I have two M22s + STF-2 in the HT room and two M40s in another room - love both setups. BB had a $200 special on the black Micra6 package so I picked it up to use the center and surrounds temporarily for HT and put the Micra fronts and sub in my bedroom where the whole Micra package will go when I upgrade the HT room later this year. I've heard a lot of good HT speakers and I have to say the Micra's are pretty darn good budget HT speakers, especially at that price, but for music they just can't compete with a good larger speaker set.

Thanks again, you've all been a lot of help but your excellent "free" advice is costing me a lot of money! But the sound is oh so good.

Glad you got things "singin'"

I fear you've caught the dreaded disease "upgraditis." There is no cure. Sorry!