proper settings for stereo DVD-A playback?

[krabapple]

I'm asking this question on several forums, so far it's been interesting to see
how *different* the answers I'm getting are.


I've got a Toshiba SD5700 DVD-A/V player. There are two sets of analog jacks on the rear face: 6-channel and 2-channel. also optical and coax digital outs, but for playback of DVD-A groups, those are irrelevant. Current industry practice is to disallow digital transfer of the high-rez DVD-A signal (except in proprietary configurations). The owner's manual is exceptionally cryptic as regards use and connection of the player in DVD-A modes.


The Toshiba has three menu-driven output format setting: Bitstream, PCM, and Analog 6-Channel. Note that there is no separate 'analog 2-channel' option.


The receiver (a Yamaha HT model) has various analog inputs for 2-channel sources (CD , DVD, aux, cable box etc) and a dedicated analog set for 6-channel as well. (Also has digital inputs, but these are irrelevant to the discussion.)

Speakers are NHT superones (mains L&R) , Velodyne sub. There are also Center and surround speakers but they are irrelevant to the discussion.
Sub is connected via dedicated 'subwoofer out' RCA jack on receiver.
Receiver speaker configuration: mains are set to 'small' and low bass is directed to subwoofer only. Other options exist (e.g. bass can be sent ot both sub and mains, or to mains only).

Question: what is the *proper* connection and configuration for playback of
*stereo DVD-A tracks* (Not the multichannel DVD-A tracks: the stereo mix -- usually the original mix, not a fold-down). Given the format (menu setting/output jacks/input jacks)

Analog 6 Ch/6 channel/6 channel
Analog 6 Ch/2 channel/2 channel
Analog 6 Ch/2 channel/6 channel (mains L&R)
PCM/2 channel/2 channel

etc, etc etc (27 possibilities!)

which is correct for output of true DVD-A signal?


(N.B. to further complicate matters, the 'Analog 6 channel' option also has a submenu that allows large/small on/off configuration of surrounds -- but I am told this submenu only pertains to non-DVD-A signals , e.g. when outputting Dolby Digital 5.1 as analog, so it's probably irrelevant.)

[Ken_McAlinden]

I don't know your receiver, but there is a decent chance that if you use the 6 analog inputs for 5.1, your receiver will ignore your bass management settings. For proper 2-channel stereo output with bass management, you will likely need to run either your left and right "normal" analog outs into 2-channel stereo inputs on your receiver (the most practical option) or run the left and right front channels of your multichannel out into 2-channel stereo inputs of your receiver (inconvenient only if you plan on also using them for multichannel).

If you have no interest in multi-channel, go with whichever one sounds best to you. If you plan on listening to both multichannel and stereo stuff, go with the first option, but remember to switch input selection on your receiver for 2-channel stuff.

It sounds like you are out of luck for multi-channel DVD-A bass management unless you buy an external unit to do it.

Regards,

[vex]

I have a Toshiba SD-9200 and it does have "Analog 2 Channel" as one of the output options. I find it odd that your player does not. However, this may actually be a good thing. It is easy to "accidentally" set my player to analog 2 channel output without also changing the output type on the media itself (which results in 2/3 of the surround mix in lieu of stereo).

In any event, it would seem that the analog 2 channel outputs of your player are driven by the software. I would assume that if you select the stereo tracks off of a DVD-A, output will be automatically routed through the analog 2 channel outputs. From there it's just a straight connection to a spare stereo input on your receiver. Hope this helps!

[krabapple]

Originally posted by vex
I have a Toshiba SD-9200 and it does have "Analog 2 Channel" as one of the output options. I find it odd that your player does not.

Darn that Toshiba!

Looks like they added this option after the 5700


However, this may actually be a good thing. It is easy to "accidentally" set my player to analog 2 channel output without also changing the output type on the media itself (which results in 2/3 of the surround mix in lieu of stereo).

In any event, it would seem that the analog 2 channel outputs of your player are driven by the software. I would assume that if you select the stereo tracks off of a DVD-A, output will be automatically routed through the analog 2 channel outputs. From there it's just a straight connection to a spare stereo input on your receiver. Hope this helps!

I'm going to try all the various connections and setups I've been
suggested, and report back.

[Larry Geller]

Looks like they added this option after the 5700
The 5700 came out AFTER the 9200!

[krabapple]

Originally posted by Larry Geller

The 5700 came out AFTER the 9200!

*Bad* Toshiba! *BAD* Toshiba!

:D