Help needed - older system surround sound issues

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NotVeryTechie

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Hi there, I need some help and not even sure how to phrase the question properly. I am trying to help my (elderly) parents with their TV setup. They have DSTV with a new Explora Ultra, that works really well. I have now also signed them up to Netflix and will add Disney and Amazon in the future. They have an older TV with terrible sound and a Bluray player that connects to a nice surround sound system. This has always worked really well. Now the DSTV has pretty good sound through the sound system, but the streaming apps on the Explora sound awful - even I can't hear at maximum sound. I have unplugged and plugged various formats and I have improved the sound from Netflix a little by routing from the TV to the sound system. Still not happy though. I am just totally lost with what to suggest for them and what else I can do.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Firstly, ensure that the TV speakers themselves are turned off. (Try checking the TV settings menu for that.)

Also, try checking that all the remotes of all the devices are set to a high volume setting?

Try adding another HDMI cable between the devices, or an optical cable. (It seems that there are ports for that.)

Or try connecting the HDMI cable/cables to different ports on the TV.
 
DapperDanMan said:
Firstly, ensure that the TV speakers themselves are turned off. (Try checking the TV settings menu for that.)

Also, try checking that all the remotes of all the devices are set to a high volume setting?

Try adding another HDMI cable between the devices, or an optical cable. (It seems that there are ports for that.)

Or try connecting the HDMI cable/cables to different ports on the TV.
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Thanks for this. We have changed the HDMI ports on the TV and got a new cable. We did switch off the TV sound and pushed the sound on the other devices to their maximum and even I couldn't hear most of the dialogue. Now we have switched to plugging the surround sound into the TV directly and then using the TV sound, which is marginally better. Just really struggling with all the bits and bobs and having to plug and unplug stuff every time they change viewing input. But if they have to do that, I guess they will have to :(
 
This is what I thought, but I am honestly not confident in getting it right! A hub sounds like a great idea to me.
 
I think that the problem might be a little more basic than the TVwhich should function simply as a monitor in a home theatre system, i.e. you shouldn't be hearing anything through the TV.s speakers.

My guess is that the problem lies within (amongst others) the .mixture of analogue & digital connections that feed the AV receiver, i.e. what your refer to as the surround sound system. Generally a lack of sound is indicative of a mismatch.

Incidentally, from what I read on the DSTV website, the Explora Ultra has Wi-Fi that is s used for the streaming services provided by DSTV.

Under the circumstances I would consider calling in a home theatre expert for assistance.
 
Does the TV have a Digital Audio Out? I see the sound system has a Digital Audio In and as such if the TV can support it that would be the best way to go.

As it stands you are feeding it stereo which is then probably forced over all the surround speakers and why you can't hear anything. You would do better to force it to stereo in that case and only play it on the two speakers and the sub.

What is connected on the red/white wires? What is connected on the HDMI port?
 
SauRoNZA said:
Does the TV have a Digital Audio Out? I see the sound system has a Digital Audio In and as such if the TV can support it that would be the best way to go.

As it stands you are feeding it stereo which is then probably forced over all the surround speakers and why you can't hear anything. You would do better to force it to stereo in that case and only play it on the two speakers and the sub.

What is connected on the red/white wires? What is connected on the HDMI port?
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Um, slightly lost here. I added the photos to try to show what is connected. The red and white wires are connected from the TV to the DVD player that has the surround sound coming out of it. The HDMI is connected from the DSTV box to the TV. It is all a bit confusing :unsure:
 
NotVeryTechie said:
Um, slightly lost here. I added the photos to try to show what is connected. The red and white wires are connected from the TV to the DVD player that has the surround sound coming out of it. The HDMI is connected from the DSTV box to the TV. It is all a bit confusing :unsure:
Click to expand...

Why do you need to connect the TV to it?

The HDMI is already providing the audio so that’s likely where your problem comes from.

You cannot have surround sound with the red/white wires, only the HDMI.
 
SauRoNZA said:
With one of them sure, in a completely different coax port.

Not in this configuration.
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I’m assuming they are stereo L and R?

A Dolby Pro Logic (or II or IIx or IIz) can pull Dolby Surround signals for a matrix surround sound.
 
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Dolby said:
I’m assuming they are stereo L and R?

A Dolby Pro Logic (or II or IIx or IIz) can pull Dolby Surround signals for a matrix surround sound.
Click to expand...

That’s still a stereo source. Just bullshitted over 5 speakers.
 
SauRoNZA said:
That’s still a stereo source. Just bullshitted over 5 speakers.
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I disagree totally.
SauRoNZA said:
With only one of either the red or white so it becomes a mono digital coax connection
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Source ?

That R and W are analogue signals - how does it change to digital? A coax cable isn’t compatible with analogue anyway ? It’s difference impedance
 
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