HELP - No Surround Sound with Sony Receiver??

[imasnyper]

I have a Sony HT-DDW790 HTIB(i know:() sound system and I have it hooked up using an optical audio cable. I have a couple problems with the receiver. First, the receiver will shut off power to the speakers or something unless there is a constant source of sound. Like in the XMB, the little clicks when navigating around will only be heard if I press and hold in one direction. Second, and by far the biggest problem is the fact that I don't have any sound coming out of the two rear speakers. In the audio settings, I have the 5.1 options selected, but when I turn the receiver on the little message that scrolls across the screen says "Dolby Digital 3/2.1" If I put my ear up to the two rear speakers I hear nothing, and I am a little annoyed! My old $150 HTIB system had surround sound with the same settings, and that thing was a piece of junk. HELP!!!

[imasnyper]

Does anyone have any idea? This is quite annoying, and there has to be a fix...I just don't know what they are...

[ex nihilo7]

Does anyone have any idea? This is quite annoying, and there has to be a fix...I just don't know what they are...
Make sure the rear speakers are actually connected. Sometimes when moving equipment the speaker wire comes loose. Also, usually you won't have sound coming to your rears in the xmb unless the 2 channel sound is being matrixed.

edit: I'm guessing that it says dolby when you are playing a game or movie. Well, make sure the speakers are connected.

[imasnyper]

Make sure the rear speakers are actually connected. Sometimes when moving equipment the speaker wire comes loose. Also, usually you won't have sound coming to your rears in the xmb unless the 2 channel sound is being matrixed.

edit: I'm guessing that it says dolby when you are playing a game or movie. Well, make sure the speakers are connected.

Yes the speakers are definitely connected...in the menu on the receiver when you change the speaker levels, the usual hiss comes out of both speakers. And yes, it does say Dolby, but it says that its Dolby 2.1 audio, not 5.1. :confused::confused:

[faaeng]

I have the same HTiB in my bedroom.

When you set it to auto and the reciever displays DD 3/2.1 that IS 5.1. 3 up front 2 rear and the .1 is your sub. Your probably not hearing anything from the rear channels because your levels are set incorrectly or possibly there isnt any sound being sent to the rear channels for the specifc scene at that time.

Granted the mic and the auto calibratkon is decent for the unit, it is far from perfect.

As for the sound cutting out in the xmb. Yeah mine aswell. Youll hear the click every other press. ie left,left(click),left,left(click) unless your holding the button down. Nothing big but rather annoying nonetheless. It only does this on the XMB.

I also dont like that the volume is rather low. Volume maxes at 60 I believe but anything under 30-35 (halfway)or under is realy pointless. Then again It is a budget box so I dont complain. Its for my bedroom anyways (12'x12') Its rather small so it does its job. I dont need anything all that expensive for in the bedroom.

[imasnyper]

Thanks for the response faaeng...I guess I'll just have to set the levels again.