Selecting Stereo

[IPhoneUser]

I'm not sure if its the encoding or my equipment, but some movies with surround sound appear to have a downmixed center channel. Surround sound does not necessarily mean better especially in the case of remixed soundtracks to older movies. Is there a way to select stereo sound like there is for Netflix streaming? I don't think this is done automatically because a lot of recent films I've watched on Vudu have been pretty underwhelming in the sound department, even though they sounded good in theaters. Perhaps I'm in need of an upgrade to my equipment.

[Guest]

Re: Selecting Stereo

I'm not sure if its the encoding or my equipment, but some movies with surround sound appear to have a downmixed center channel. Surround sound does not necessarily mean better especially in the case of remixed soundtracks to older movies. Is there a way to select stereo sound like there is for Netflix streaming? I don't think this is done automatically because a lot of recent films I've watched on Vudu have been pretty underwhelming in the sound department, even though they sounded good in theaters. Perhaps I'm in need of an upgrade to my equipment.

You won't be able to change the audio specifically inside the VUDU application. However, most devices should give you the option to do this from the main menu of your device. It's possible that your receiver may be able to do this as well.

[IPhoneUser]

Re: Selecting Stereo

You won't be able to change the audio specifically inside the VUDU application. However, most devices should give you the option to do this from the main menu of your device. It's possible that your receiver may be able to do this as well.

I have a Polk soundbar. The only options on the remote control are to toggle the volume or the bass from the subwoofer and of course there is no display. Is there any other way to customize the audio if you have a soundbar. I may just have to go back to my original setup where I had a receiver with separate speakers.

[Guest]

Re: Selecting Stereo

I have a Polk soundbar. The only options on the remote control are to toggle the volume or the bass from the subwoofer and of course there is no display. Is there any other way to customize the audio if you have a soundbar. I may just have to go back to my original setup where I had a receiver with separate speakers.

Does that soundbar support DD and DD+? Are you using a HDMI cable, Optical?

[IPhoneUser]

Re: Selecting Stereo

Does that soundbar support DD and DD+? Are you using a HDMI cable, Optical?

I'm not sure about DD+ but I know the soundbar is connected by optical and does not have an HDMI out. As far as I know it doesn't do lossless but should have no problem encoding Dolby surround.

[CT-Scott]

Re: Selecting Stereo

I'm confused as to how you're able to detect that a movie has a "downmixed center channel" when all you have to work with is a soundbar. What, exactly, is it that you're hearing that doesn't seem right to you?

[Guest]

Re: Selecting Stereo

I'm not sure about DD+ but I know the soundbar is connected by optical and does not have an HDMI out. As far as I know it doesn't do lossless but should have no problem encoding Dolby surround.

Could you give me the model number of the soundbar?

[IPhoneUser]

Re: Selecting Stereo

I'm confused as to how you're able to detect that a movie has a "downmixed center channel" when all you have to work with is a soundbar. What, exactly, is it that you're hearing that doesn't seem right to you?

For example, if there are actors talking in a crowded room, there conversation may be overshadowed by the ambient crowd noise. Also if there is a song on the soundtrack, it will sound overbearing.

[IPhoneUser]

Re: Selecting Stereo

Could you give me the model number of the soundbar?

This is the one I have:

Polk Audio - SurroundBar 5000 IHT Soundbar with 6-1/2" Wireless Subwoofer

[Guest]

Re: Selecting Stereo

This is the one I have:

Polk Audio - SurroundBar 5000 IHT Soundbar with 6-1/2" Wireless Subwoofer

Sorry, should have asked for your Blu-Ray model number as well.

Are you set to PCM or Bitstream on the BDP. Do you notice any difference when you switch between the two?

[IPhoneUser]

Re: Selecting Stereo

Sorry, should have asked for your Blu-Ray model number as well.

Are you set to PCM or Bitstream on the BDP. Do you notice any difference when you switch between the two?

I have a PS3. On audio settings, there is an hdmi, optical, and one other selection. I selected optical since that's the only audio out that comes with the soundbar, which takes me to a screen where I can select one or multiple audio streams. I have Dolby 5.1 and AAC both selected. Optical sounds better than HDMI on my setup, yet the audio level for dialogue can be a little low sometimes. This is especially apparent with modern movies with complex soundtracks.

Also, unlike with a blu ray movie, pressing select on my PS3 Controller doesn't bring a display screen when watching on Vudu.