weird home theater sound thingy

[Bayou_Brawler]

so I am experiencing a weird sound phenomenon with my new home theater set up.

let me try and explain....

every now and then during a "drama scene" while there are say two people talking....it sounds like all the background noise is cutting out between people speaking.....

even in a silent room you still have ambient background noise....

this is not effecting any of the people talking....no important sounds you are supposed to hear are being dropped....but the background noise is going 100% dead.....

this is actually VERY noticeable when watching a movie.....it's almost like someone is putting earplugs in your ears and pulling them out when there is something you are supposed to hear...

the last three movies i have watched it's happened in one scene each.....but goes away with the scene change..i think...

anyone ever experience this??????? ideas????

the set up is pretty simple......sound bar ->hdmi cable->tv


Samsung - 300W 2.1-Ch. Soundbar
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200702389258

Samsung - 50" 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202649424626

[PSPookie]

It soudns like you have some strange multi-channnel decoding issues going on. Maybe the sound bar is droping the fron L & R channels during th espeaking scenes and only sending the center channel signal?

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by PSPookie

It soudns like you have some strange multi-channnel decoding issues going on. Maybe the sound bar is droping the fron L & R channels during th espeaking scenes and only sending the center channel signal?

im a noob at this stuff so i have no idea....but please keep the ideas coming....

the sound bar isn't great but pretty good for $500 (open box)....i am thinking qbout returning it if it keeps happening....again it's very infrequent (1 scene a movie)...but.....

[Brick Top]

So if I understand correctly...you are only using 2.1 surround(which isn't surround)?

I don't want to sound audio snobbish....but virtual surround is no match for true discreet 5.1 or higher. Using any type of wireless signal can also lead to problems...not to mention low fidelity. I would suggest you check the surround field settings. The description said " 9 discrete soundfields". Depending on what format the dvd player is outputting...this may be the issue.

Otherwise...the wireless connection to the sub may be an issue. Is there a way to tell if the sub is receiving the signal un-interupted?

Cheers,
BT

[hbarcat]

I'm almost certain the problem is caused by the translation from the true 5.1 surround to the "virtual surround" 2.1 that you are using. Every channel in the 5.1 system is necessary to the coherence of the spacial audio experience and it's not possible to directly translate it to a '2 channel + sub' without losing some audio data.

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by Brick Top

So if I understand correctly...you are only using 2.1 surround(which isn't surround)?

I don't want to sound audio snobbish....but virtual surround is no match for true discreet 5.1 or higher. Using any type of wireless signal can also lead to problems...not to mention low fidelity. I would suggest you check the surround field settings. The description said " 9 discrete soundfields". Depending on what format the dvd player is outputting...this may be the issue.

Otherwise...the wireless connection to the sub may be an issue. Is there a way to tell if the sub is receiving the signal un-interupted?

Cheers,
BT

oh its cool snob away.....

the sub seems fine.....in fact too good....rumbles my heart sometimes....

i was sitting right in front of the speakers and it seems like the interuption is coming from the sound bar....

the funny thing is the problem happens when i have the virtual surround off (which is how i typically run it).

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

I'm almost certain the problem is caused by the translation from the true 5.1 surround to the "virtual surround" 2.1 that you are using. Every channel in the 5.1 system is necessary to the coherence of the spacial audio experience and it's not possible to directly translate it to a '2 channel + sub' without losing some audio data.

this seems logical.....however liek i said above the problem seems to happen when i have the virtual surround setting off.....

[Brick Top]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

I'm almost certain the problem is caused by the translation from the true 5.1 surround to the "virtual surround" 2.1 that you are using. Every channel in the 5.1 system is necessary to the coherence of the spacial audio experience and it's not possible to directly translate it to a '2 channel + sub' without losing some audio data.

No offence...but this is incorrect. 5.1 information can be played in a 2.1 or even a stereo only setup without any loss of data providing you set either the pre/pro or receiver to output the signal in stereo...or change the settings on the DVD menu to output in stereo.


Bayou_Brawler....My suggestion would be to change the settings to stereo or 2.1 during playback and see how it sounds. You may find it sounds quite nice. Virtual surround has a tendency to phase different parts of the soundtrack in and out to create a surround sound field image...which in my system usually sucks. I find I get much better realistic sound in 2.1 when listening to sound tracks that are not 5.1 native.

Cheers,
BT

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by Brick Top

No offence...but this is incorrect. 5.1 information can be played in a 2.1 or even a stereo only setup without any loss of data providing you set either the pre/pro or receiver to output the signal in stereo...or change the settings on the DVD menu to output in stereo.

Yes, you are right. I meant to say that the translation from 5.1 to stereo is done in the settings and is an internal process, and that one should not expect a pair of speakers to output proper stereo when the player is in 5.1 mode. My post was worded pretty badly.


Edit: The OP says that the problem occurs with the surround setting "off" so what setting is the unit actually "on"? Rather, what mode options are available?