Can't play non decoded High Def on some/most discs

KevinDubya

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2018 14:19 Messages: 6 Offline

Solved by

Feb 25, 2018 14:40

I am using HDMI and the right sound card as this does work for some discs.

But for most, and I think it a recent problem it will not play.

I get dolby surround and have to use PCM decoded by PowerDVD.

examples MOANA, DUNKIRK will not play.
Wonder Woman will play in HD sound.

Seems like only Wonder Woman will work right now.

When I get no audio I can normally pick PCM and only get surround sound not DD. But if I pick french or english for hearing imparied I do get DD.

Very weird.

As you can imagine I am very frustrated.
Can anyone help?

thanks,

Kevin

KevinDubya

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2018 14:19 Messages: 6 Offline

Feb 25, 2018 16:45

I have also confirmed the same issue is happening when playing an actual BR disc.

Thanks.

QC2.0

Senior Contributor Joined: Apr 27, 2016 04:02 Messages: 610 Offline

Feb 27, 2018 05:03

You may check the HDMI audio playback output's properties -> supported format in Windows audio setting "when" the Blu-ray movie was playing in powerdvd.
Windows 10 screwed up BD protected audio's HD audio passthrough often.

Per my understanding,
PCM decoded -> powerdvd does the surround sound decoding.
The decoded PCM audio is still "HD surround sound" that decoded from Dolby or DTS source.

Non-decoded audio passed to HDMI receiver -> amplifier hardware does the decoding. what speaker sets played is still a decoded PCM audio that from Dolby or DTS source.

May some audiophiles or experts tell us if there are any huge hearing differences between the software decoding and the amplifier decoding.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Nov 15. 2018 19:55

KevinDubya

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2018 14:19 Messages: 6 Offline

Feb 27, 2018 08:03

Hi, I have set the properties. It says it supports all of the upper end formats.
And it does work on 1 or 2 discs.

the PCM selection is horrible, not just audiofiles can hear it.
If you look at the info you see when sending PCM you can see it is not HD (being TRU HD, DTS-HD MASTER, etc.) but it is 2.0 channels which makes it pro-logic from the 1990's.

There is barely any surround information, it is mostly center channel, no stereo in the rears.

thanks.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Nov 15. 2018 19:56

KevinDubya

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2018 14:19 Messages: 6 Offline

Feb 28, 2018 09:04

an update...

Been doing a little more testing...
not 100% sure but I am 3 for 3 if the dvd is DOLBY TRU HD and 0 for 10 when it is DTS MASTER AUDIO.

according to the properties from my sound output device, it supports DTS MASTER AUDIO.
I will try the disc on DVD player to confirm

KevinDubya

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2018 14:19 Messages: 6 Offline

Feb 28, 2018 21:04

IS anyone able to play DTS-HD?
I have tested from 3 different computers. Nothing but 2.0 works.
TRU-HD no problem.

KevinDubya

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2018 14:19 Messages: 6 Offline

Feb 28, 2018 22:01

Problem Fixed.
Aren't I a dummy...

turned out the Onkyos DO NOT play DTS-HD out of the box.
I had thought I updated the firmware when I got this receiver 4-5 months ago, perhaps not.

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/en/articles/dts-x-firmware-update-for-select-onkyo-network-a-v-receivers-announced-for-release-this-august-132708.html

thanks for the help people.

I am done with ONKYO AVR's.

Anyone want to buy 5 of them?