I have a Samsung HTX40 DVD home theatre system. Why am I not getting center or rear sound?

Question

I watched a movie and noticed that no sound came from the center channel or the rear speakers. Is this normal? Do only certain movies use all channels?

Answer 1

I used to own a Samsung HT too. Yup, as mentioned, the Dolby Prologic (either version I or II) is to be blamed. When you first set up a HT system, the default is well at default sound setting: stereo.

So, with Dolby Prologic setting activated, usually in 'Music' or 'Movie' mode, it transforms the 2ch sound to 5.1, or even 7.1 for high end theatre systems. Cool right?

The bad side? 5.1/7.1CH output is usually softer than 2.0CH, and the rear channels sounds so soft or even mute when the music or movie you played does not have many 'reverberating' sound effects in them. Centre speaker? Its on a high load thus if power compared with centre to front left/right or rear left/right is similar, the 5.1CH/7.1CH output is well, 'not that nice' from my opinion. My Panasonic HT does better though, sorry...

Also, try activating Samsung's own set of EQ modes. I have tried some like Matrix or Disco/Club mode; its merely similar to Dolby way of transforming sound modes.

Answer 2

Check to make sure the surround setting on the unit isnt set to stereo.  It should be set to dobly or prologic II