Dolby D / DTS / HDMI what is truth?

[ketand]

What did you have to do to get 5.1 channel sound via optical?

I activated a new DishTV HD connection yesterday, and connected an optical cable from the set top box to my Yamaha 6230 AVR. But I get only 2.0 stereo sound. PCM lights up on the AVR and only the indicator for Front L and R speakers light up. No sound from the centre and surround speakers. If I look at the incoming Signal Info on the AVR it shows only 2 channels.

FYI - for video there is a HDMI cable from the set top box directly to the TV.

Thanks!

To add more details to this, the only channel on DishTV for which I get 5.1 surround is MoviesNow. All other channels give only 2.0 stereo sound via PCM.

On the DishTV set top box, there is no setting available to output audio as a Raw bitstream.

 

[curious]

Yes. I have connected my STB to AVR through Coaxial (dont have optical option in my STB model). I am getting 5.1 channel sound. Is it possible to get 5.1 channel via PCM on STB?

Which AVR are you using?

I'm using airtel HD recorder and can confirm that it outputs DD signals(through optical audio out) for many HD channes like Movies Now, Star Movies HD, Discovery HD, History HD, NGC HD, Colors HD, Star World HD.