I hope someone can answer something for me that I just don't understand. I have Dish satellite, audio is hooked up to my digital Yamaha HTR-5740 reciever via digital optical. I also have an Xbox and DVD player hooked up via digital optical to my reciever too.
When I watch DVD's or play Xbox, if I select Dolby Digital "Standard" or "Enhanced" on my reciever all 5 speakers' icons are showing up on the LCD screen, and the sound sounds great. But when I watch TV via satellite, and select Dolby Digital Standard or Enhanced for sound, only my 2 front speakers show up on the screen. The sound is good - all 6 speakers are getting sound, but it doesn't sound as good as on DVD or Xbox. This is even when I am watching shows that say they are broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1. I've noticed that Dolby Pro Logic II will make it sound closer to the Dolby Digital sound I get w/ Xbox or DVD, but not as good.
Why is this? Is there any way to improve the sound on the satellite? Should I really care that much?
Sounds like a broadcast problem or it is possible your receiver is experiencing switching difficulty. I would guess the former. Check with your satellite provider. Not particularly unusual for DVD to sound better than broadcast.
Only the PPV channels and certain channels with "DD" are broadcast in Dolby Digital. Most channels are not. Check the website for exact channels.
Unfortunately, this is a problem with Dish that they will be addressing soon. Very disappointing to spend the $$ for the Audio system to find that you cannot use for the Sat feed.