Why does my DVD-Player (as well the display of the DVD-Player on the TV-screen) shows only Dolby Digital 3/2.1CH even I use DVDs which have following labels: Dolby Digital, DTS, 5.1ch surround? My DVD-Player is a Pioneer DV-464-S. I have Kenwood HBT-S500 Home-Theater-System, which includes a KAF-S500-Amplifier (boxes: 2 front, 2 rear, 1 center, 1 sub-woofer).
Astrid: My understanding is that 5.1 and 3/2.1 are exactly the same.
If you are having trouble getting the dts track, then you probably need to go into the DVD player's audio menu setup and activate dts.
You then, before you play the movie, select dts on the disc's menu (usually labeled "Audio Setup"). If you don't, audio automatically defaults to Dolby Digital.
By the way, Astrid, in order to obtain genuine 5.1 mutichannel sound from the DVD, there has to be a digital connection between the DVD-player and the amplifier/receiver. That means either electrical co-axial cable or the fibre-optic "TOSlink" cable. It is usually the receiver that processes the Dolby Digital or DTS, using the digital signal the player gives it. If you use the stereo, analogue connection, you only get two-channel.
I had the same problem with my fancy new Yamaha set up. Problem was resolved when I connected the digital cables! Simply use chep co-ax cables and the beast lights up like a dream.