Tv listening with 5 speaker surround sound system?

Question

Hooked up Yamaha 5.1 system to TV (digital optical cable/hdmi to receiver, and hdmi to TV). Only can hear front left and right speakers during TV broadcasts. During CD or DVD playing from my CD/DVD player, can hear all 5 speakers, so I know there is no prob with connections of speakers. Is this normal? I thought majority of TV dialogue came from center front speaker, but I only hear front L and R.

Answer 1

Yeah, bro. What the guy above me said. Hit "Prologic" on your remote if you have the button. It converts all 2-channel audio tracks to 5.1 channels.

Answer 2

Looks like you are using a set-top box. Make sure the format of its digital audio output is Dolby Digital (not PCM).

As others said, very few programs broadcast in 5.1 so this may explain why you only get audio from L and R.

Answer 3

Only a minority of TV broadcasts are in 5.1 sound (most are in stereo), so this may be normal. If you know the broadcast is stereo use Prologic on the receiver (or another matrix format) to create matrix surround. If you know it is a 5.1 broadcast and you are not getting surround it is possibly a setting issue (have a look at the menu options) or possibly an HDMI limitation (some components don't output audio or surround audio over HDMI). If you suspect the latter try an optical connection from TV to receiver (if possible).

Without model numbers and specifics it's difficult to be more precise (kind of like being told "I have a stomach ache" with no further detail and being asked to diagnose the problem).

BTW your descriptions of the connections are confusing since you appear to have optical and HDMI to the receiver .. but what from is not specified. Also you state "HDMI to TV", when I would assume you meant HDMI FROM TV. If yo really mean "to TV" where is the TV signal being tuned ... an external cable or satellite box?

You may consider that not all receivers process surround audio over HDMI (nor do all satellite or cable boxes, either, although these aren't mentioned).

Happy new year.

Answer 4

i think regular cable only broadcasts in anlog (left and right audio). try changing the surround settings. my recievier has a setting called "5 stereo" where everything will play thru all 5 speakers. but i just bought my g/f a HTS and she has the same problem as you, there is no "5 stereo" setting and so the tv will only play thru 2 speakers...