Advice on improving sound thru Sky

[AET]

Just set up my 1st HC. Sounds and looks great. VCR connected to digibox. Digibox scarted to AV1 on TV. Phono plugs from digibox to video 1 on amp. When Skys on, I can turn off the TV speakers and listen via the amp and surrounds. Because Sky is only broadcast in stereo, I only get sound out of the left and rights. That correct? No subs, no surrounds, no centres? Sounds a tinny cos they are only small satellites (part of the Eltax Stargates). Anyt way I can improve the sound/bass?

Thanks

[soberion]

A lot of Sky broadcasts are in Pro-logic. Even if not, you should still be able to select surrond on the amp and have all speakers working.

[RobDickinson]

If the program on sky is pro-logic encoded then you can switch your amp to Pro-logic (or if your lucky pro-logic II) and get sound out of all your speakers.

Sky have actialy started showing films in DD but you'll need one of the new SKY+ boxes to get a digital audio out.

(BTW - anyone witha Sony Sky box got DD through its dig conector?)

[soberion]

Rob - Sony box and DD just ain't going to work. Both Sky and Sony have conclusively said so. Only way you will get DD is Sky+.:mad:

[AET]

Ohh of course, silly me :(

I just assumed that the amp would autoselect if it could detect pro-logic. i thought only terrestrial was broadcast in pro-logic, Sky using pure stereo?

[soberion]

Nope, Sky broadcast DPL when it's available on the program.

[pjweston]

From www.dolby.com :Dolby Surround is the consumer version of the original analog Dolby multichannel film sound format. When a Dolby Surround soundtrack is produced, four channels of audio information—left, center, right, and surround—are matrix-encoded onto two audio tracks. These two tracks are then carried on stereo program sources such as videotapes and TV broadcasts into the home, where they can be decoded to recreate the original four channels and the surround sound experience. Thousands of feature films on home video, as well as many television shows, are encoded in Dolby Surround.Dolby Surround Pro Logic is the technology that decodes program material encoded in Dolby Surround; it is built into virtually every home theater audio system. Like the professional decoder units used in cinemas, Dolby Surround Pro Logic reconstructs the original four channels—left, center, right, and surround—that were encoded onto the program material's stereo soundtracks.

What this says, therefore, is that if you receive a Dolby Surround encoded stereo signal then your DPL decoder will be able to extract the surround information. This will be the case regardless of how the stereo signal is delivered (DVD/ VHS/ Sky/ NICAM etc.). Furthermore, since the Dolby Surround information is encoded onto the source material's stereo soundtrack, the broadcaster will be unable to remove it even if they wanted to...

Finally, note that since this is an analogue technology, there's no guaranteed way for your DPL decoder to detect that the material is Dolby Surround encoded. It's just a case of try it and see (i.e. just leave the DPL decoder turned on for video soundtracks :D ).

[AET]

YAYYYYY

Can't believe I've been mulling along for so long watching Sky through crappy PAL and via TV speakers.

For anyone with Sky thinking about upgrading their home entertainment system..... get an AV receiver, get some speakers and enjoy!!!!

We had a great night, beers, pizzas, Buffy, Sky movies all in lovely RGB and Dolby Pro Logic (with rumbling bass thru the subs).

Thanks for all your advice guys, really appreciate it.

Have a nice Xmas.

[Masha]

Originally posted by AET
I just assumed that the amp would autoselect if it could detect pro-logic. i thought only terrestrial was broadcast in pro-logic, Sky using pure stereo?

None of my receivers seem to be able to auto detect between stereo and the various pro-logic / PLII settings, I've always had to flick through and see which sounds best. I figured autodetect only worked with digital signals?

Would be nice if it did auto-detect.

[phelings]

You should be able to set your amp to auto,but it may only auto switch to DD when available,then go back to PL1/2 when a standard mix comes on.
If you have PL2 you can use 5/6 channel stereo to produce an effective surround soundfield from basic stereo,and even mono.Dialogue is not centred,but its better than standard,and is brilliant for stereo cd's.
PL2 offers music or movies settings.Its these you can auto select,but if you use the different DSP modes for different things,then you will have to cycle through and see which you prefer