HAL9000
06-08-2012, 12:02 AM
I'm using the BDP7600/12 (firmware 1.55) with analog output, selected 5.1 output mode, and with the center and subwoofer channels disabled (=> "speaker size" configured to "OFF" for center/subwoofer, while all other speakers are set to "large"). TV is connected to HDMI.
Unfortunately this particular configuration (i.e. 5.1/center+subwoofer disabled) isn't working properly.
Issues start when entering the "speaker volume" menu:
* Configuring the "surround right" speaker works correctly (test signal is heard on right surround speaker), but configuring the "surround left" speaker results in a test signal on both, the left _and_ right surround speakers. Obviously there should be a signal on the left speaker only when adjusting left speaker volume. The issue is there as soon as 5.1 output is selected and independent of whether center/subwoofer channels are disabled or not. This issue is gone when selecting 7.1 output mode.
* A minor issue: only the rear right+left controls are disabled in the "speaker volume" menu (due to the selected 5.1 mode), but adjustment controls for the center and subwoofer speakers are still displayed (though they are also disabled, through the "speaker size" menu). Ok, this might be intentional...
* When the "center" volume is adjusted, a test signal on the left front speaker (only) is audible. Not sure what the intention is here: if this should be the volume of the speaker then there clearly should not be any audible test signal. If the intention was to allow configuring the volume of the "virtual" center channel, then this should be downmixed to both front speakers. With a test signal on the front-left speaker only, it's not possible to adjust a proper center channel volume.
This issue is gone when the "center" speaker is enabled in the "speaker size" menu - but this doesn't help those not owning a center speaker...
* Similar issue for the disabled subwoofer speaker: adjusting it's volume results in a test tone on the left front speaker (only). Same as before: this should either be downmixed to front left and right speakers (if this was a subwoofer _channel_ configuration), or no sound should be audible at all.
* Next issue affects actual DVD/bluray playback. When the player is switched on and playback is started immediately, then the center channel is not downmixed to the left+right front speakers (i.e. voices are almost inaudible).
However, if I enter the "speaker volume" menu prior to playback, change settings, then return to disc playback, then the center channel is downmixed. It seems some setting isn't properly restored when the player is switched on, unless the audio settings are manually changed prior to playback. I haven't tested (yet) if that's a general issue or only related to 5.1 mode, or to the "center speaker disabled" option.
So, playback kind of works - but requiring a manual setup whenever the player is switched on is annoying - especially since the "speaker volume" menu seems rather messed up for this particular audio configuration.
And yes, I'm sure everything is wired up correctly (BDP7600/amplifier/speakers). I confirmed this by running the "speaker layout" / "test tone" option: I correctly hear the test signal on the 4 individual speakers - one by one on the front left+right and surround left+right speakers. So all is fine with the "layout" test and my setup.
cheers,
HAL9000
Unfortunately this particular configuration (i.e. 5.1/center+subwoofer disabled) isn't working properly.
Issues start when entering the "speaker volume" menu:
* Configuring the "surround right" speaker works correctly (test signal is heard on right surround speaker), but configuring the "surround left" speaker results in a test signal on both, the left _and_ right surround speakers. Obviously there should be a signal on the left speaker only when adjusting left speaker volume. The issue is there as soon as 5.1 output is selected and independent of whether center/subwoofer channels are disabled or not. This issue is gone when selecting 7.1 output mode.
* A minor issue: only the rear right+left controls are disabled in the "speaker volume" menu (due to the selected 5.1 mode), but adjustment controls for the center and subwoofer speakers are still displayed (though they are also disabled, through the "speaker size" menu). Ok, this might be intentional...
* When the "center" volume is adjusted, a test signal on the left front speaker (only) is audible. Not sure what the intention is here: if this should be the volume of the speaker then there clearly should not be any audible test signal. If the intention was to allow configuring the volume of the "virtual" center channel, then this should be downmixed to both front speakers. With a test signal on the front-left speaker only, it's not possible to adjust a proper center channel volume.
This issue is gone when the "center" speaker is enabled in the "speaker size" menu - but this doesn't help those not owning a center speaker...
* Similar issue for the disabled subwoofer speaker: adjusting it's volume results in a test tone on the left front speaker (only). Same as before: this should either be downmixed to front left and right speakers (if this was a subwoofer _channel_ configuration), or no sound should be audible at all.
* Next issue affects actual DVD/bluray playback. When the player is switched on and playback is started immediately, then the center channel is not downmixed to the left+right front speakers (i.e. voices are almost inaudible).
However, if I enter the "speaker volume" menu prior to playback, change settings, then return to disc playback, then the center channel is downmixed. It seems some setting isn't properly restored when the player is switched on, unless the audio settings are manually changed prior to playback. I haven't tested (yet) if that's a general issue or only related to 5.1 mode, or to the "center speaker disabled" option.
So, playback kind of works - but requiring a manual setup whenever the player is switched on is annoying - especially since the "speaker volume" menu seems rather messed up for this particular audio configuration.
And yes, I'm sure everything is wired up correctly (BDP7600/amplifier/speakers). I confirmed this by running the "speaker layout" / "test tone" option: I correctly hear the test signal on the 4 individual speakers - one by one on the front left+right and surround left+right speakers. So all is fine with the "layout" test and my setup.
cheers,
HAL9000