DVD playback on BluRay player oddity

[Seanette]

So far, I've hit this problem on two different discs. I don't get normal sound, just silence with occasional odd unpleasant sounds with some static involved. Picture is fine. Does anyone know how that happens?

[twickster]

Since this is a hardware question and not a software question, I'm moving to our tech advice forum, IMHO.

[Munch]

How is it connected (HDMI? Coax audio? Optical audio? RCA audio?)? What's it connected to (just the TV? an AV receiver? a soundbar? home theater in a box with permanently attached speakers?)?

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by twickster

Since this is a hardware question and not a software question, I'm moving to our tech advice forum, IMHO.

Thanks, and sorry for the wrong-forum post.

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by Munch

How is it connected (HDMI? Coax audio? Optical audio? RCA audio?)? What's it connected to (just the TV? an AV receiver? a soundbar? home theater in a box with permanently attached speakers?)?

The Blu-Ray is hooked directly to the TV via HDMI. I've only seen this problem on two discs out of a few zillion we've used in this player. Others behave fine.

[Munch]

And you're using just the TV for audio?

I think that's all the background info we need to actually answer your question...

[Seanette]

Yeah, audio's going through the TV's built-in speaker(s). I have a Vizio TV and a Panasonic Blu-Ray player, if that's relevant. Not sure what brand the HDMI cable connecting them is, not sure that matters.

[KneadToKnow]

Have you checked the disks to see what they are defaulting to for audio? Some manufacturers make odd choices.

Often, a DVD will have multiple choices for the main audio out option, Dolby, DTS, or others. You may have a couple that are defaulting for whatever reason to an output that your system isn't capable of handling.

[Munch]

What do you have your bluray player defaulting to output for audio? If it's anything better than 2.1 stereo, that's probably the culprit.

[Seanette]

Knead, I honestly do not know how I would check that.

Munch, I'm not sure how to go about checking that out either, and I'm not sure why that would only affect two specific discs, one released in 1999, the other in 2000. Both ARE Warner Brothers ("Deathtrap" and "The Green Mile", in chronological order). Other WB discs do play correctly in this player, though (such as "Blazing Saddles").

[Munch]

Originally Posted by Seanette

Knead, I honestly do not know how I would check that.

When you start the disc up you go to the audio setting in the menu, and see where it defaults.

Munch, I'm not sure how to go about checking that out either

You go into the bluray player's settings, and see where it's set at.

[Seanette]

Looking at the player's Audio menu, the only thing that looks remotely informative is "Digital Audio Output", but when I go into that submenu, what I get doesn't make any sense at all to me. It's talking about things like "bitstream", DTS, etc. and I really don't understand any of it.

Checking "The Green Mile", the Warner screen has normal audio, sound problems begin in the disc menu, which has no audio settings. Checking "Deathtrap", there is no menu, it goes straight into the movie, with no sound on my setup. Checking another Warner disc, "Blazing Saddles" (mine was released in 1997), audio performs correctly, no audio settings option in the menu.

We do have a workaround, using the VCR/DVD combo (component connection) for discs that the BluRay can't handle, but it's not the preferred solution.

[KneadToKnow]

If you can give us the make and model of your Bluray player, I'd be happy to look up the manual online to see if I can help with the audio settings there.

Not all DVDs start at the menu, but you should be able to get to a menu by hitting the "menu" or "top menu" button on the remote. Also, be sure to look under headings like "Setup" for the audio options. It's very rare for a DVD to give you no audio setup options at all, though older disks like that 1997 Blazing Saddles would be a likely candidate not to.

[Munch]

Originally Posted by Seanette

Looking at the player's Audio menu, the only thing that looks remotely informative is "Digital Audio Output", but when I go into that submenu, what I get doesn't make any sense at all to me. It's talking about things like "bitstream", DTS, etc. and I really don't understand any of it.

You may not understand it, but could you at least list the options, and what it's currently set at? This is getting really frustrating.

[KneadToKnow]

Also, be sure to tell us what kind of cable(s) you are using to connect the player to the TV.

[Munch]

He said HDMI on that one.

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

If you can give us the make and model of your Bluray player, I'd be happy to look up the manual online to see if I can help with the audio settings there.

Not all DVDs start at the menu, but you should be able to get to a menu by hitting the "menu" or "top menu" button on the remote. Also, be sure to look under headings like "Setup" for the audio options. It's very rare for a DVD to give you no audio setup options at all, though older disks like that 1997 Blazing Saddles would be a likely candidate not to.

It's a Panasonic DMP-BDT100, connected by HDMI directly to the TV (Vizio E3D420).

And I'm a she.

[KneadToKnow]

Originally Posted by Munch

He said HDMI on that one.

Missed that somehow. Looking at the manual now.

[KneadToKnow]

Okay, based on a quick perusal of the manual, I'd try this for the misbehaving disks (presuming something in a disk menu doesn't resolve it):

Go to Functions > Other Functions > Setup > Audio

Somewhere around "Digital Audio Output," select PCM. They don't show the actual menu, so I can't say exactly how to do that. Also, if you see an on/off setting for "PCM Downmix," turn it on.


FWIW, I own the Deathtrap DVD, so I can look when I get home tonight and see if I can find where its audio setup is, if it has one.

[jacobsta811]

Digital Audio Output is the right menu. There are a lot of settings, but they boil down to you wanting it set to two things:
PCM output (NOT Dolby, or any of the other options)
Stereo (not 5.1, surround sound, etc) sometimes you'll have to make the settings say something like "downmix audio" to get this setting.

You want this because the most likely problem is that the bluray player is sending your TV audio it can't handle. Play with the options and test with a problematic disk until you get it to work.

Edit to add, I really should refresh before replying, basically, what he said.

[Munch]

Yup. From the manual, you'll have several things to set:

Digital Audio Output:
- Dolby D/Dolby D+/Dolby TrueHD: PCM
- DTS/DTS-HD: PCM
- BD-Video Secondary Audio: Off

PCM Down Conversion: no effect
Downmix: Stereo

[KneadToKnow]

Given that this only affects 2 discs, I'm still suspicious that the best solution is in the setup menu on those disks.

Consider going over to HomeTheaterForum.com and either searching for those titles with the words "audio problem" or just posting a thread asking if anyone has had problems with those specific titles.

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

Okay, based on a quick perusal of the manual, I'd try this for the misbehaving disks (presuming something in a disk menu doesn't resolve it):

Go to Functions > Other Functions > Setup > Audio

Somewhere around "Digital Audio Output," select PCM. They don't show the actual menu, so I can't say exactly how to do that. Also, if you see an on/off setting for "PCM Downmix," turn it on.


FWIW, I own the Deathtrap DVD, so I can look when I get home tonight and see if I can find where its audio setup is, if it has one.

I saw "PCM Down Conversion" which was off, it's now on. Next menu entry is "Downmix", currently set at "Stereo" (the only other choice is "Surround Encoded"). This failed to help "The Green Mile", which produces some annoying blips of sound that I find hard to describe in more detail.

[Munch]

Yeah, considering the fact that she's seeing Deathtrap go straight to the video (which is highly unlikely - I'm betting the player just remembers where she left off), she may be having issues navigating the disc menus.

[Munch]

Also, make sure all your connections are tight and that the discs themselves are clean. Any scratches, smudges, etc. on the bottom of the discs?

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by Munch

Yup. From the manual, you'll have several things to set:

Digital Audio Output:
- Dolby D/Dolby D+/Dolby TrueHD: PCM
- DTS/DTS-HD: PCM
- BD-Video Secondary Audio: Off

PCM Down Conversion: no effect
Downmix: Stereo

Tried your first three settings (all of which needed to be changed). On the "PCM Down Conversion", do you mean On or Off (those are the two options presented)?

Either way, this seems to have fixed "The Green Mile". Also seems to have fixed "Deathtrap". You're good.

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by Munch

Yeah, considering the fact that she's seeing Deathtrap go straight to the video (which is highly unlikely - I'm betting the player just remembers where she left off), she may be having issues navigating the disc menus.

Honest, that disc has NEVER presented me with a menu, just headed right into the movie.

Some discs can be odd to navigate, and I do not claim to be at all proficient on unusual configurations.

I do appreciate all the help everyone put in.

[Ruby Slippers]

I'm no technical expert, but I'd also ask where were the 2 problem DVDs acquired? I've borrowed a few movies from my local library that wouldn't play at all in my Bluray player, but would play on my computer. I think their regional coding was incorrect. Is it possible that someone can put a library DVD into their PC and make coding changes, intentionally or accidentally? In at least one case, after I started the movie on my PC, I stopped it, took it back to the Bluray, loaded it up again, and was able to play it.

[KneadToKnow]

Originally Posted by Munch

Yeah, considering the fact that she's seeing Deathtrap go straight to the video (which is highly unlikely - I'm betting the player just remembers where she left off), she may be having issues navigating the disc menus.

Originally Posted by Seanette

Honest, that disc has NEVER presented me with a menu, just headed right into the movie.

Some discs can be odd to navigate, and I do not claim to be at all proficient on unusual configurations.

I do appreciate all the help everyone put in.

Especially from the early days, DVDs that go straight to the movie aren't unheard of. DVD makers were still trying to figure out how best to balance replicating the VHS experience and the DVD technology's new features, and some opted to lean more toward VHS. Does pressing the "menu" or "top menu" button do nothing at all? Even if you stop the movie first?

[muldoonthief]

Originally Posted by Munch

Yeah, considering the fact that she's seeing Deathtrap go straight to the video (which is highly unlikely - I'm betting the player just remembers where she left off), she may be having issues navigating the disc menus.

I've got a Panasonic blu ray player a few model #s back from hers, and it does, in fact, go straight to the movie on some DVDs. Even ones that it's never played before. I've been reluctant to investigate further, since I find this to be much nicer than having to FF my way through multiple previews of movies that came out years ago.

I can always get to the DVD's own menu however.

[KneadToKnow]

I believe some players also have a setting that, if the disk is encoded to allow it, will let it start playing the movie immediately.

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by Ruby Slippers

I'm no technical expert, but I'd also ask where were the 2 problem DVDs acquired? I've borrowed a few movies from my local library that wouldn't play at all in my Bluray player, but would play on my computer. I think their regional coding was incorrect. Is it possible that someone can put a library DVD into their PC and make coding changes, intentionally or accidentally? In at least one case, after I started the movie on my PC, I stopped it, took it back to the Bluray, loaded it up again, and was able to play it.

Both are in our home collection, I don't recall specific purchase sources (both have been in the collection for years, and we have a lot of DVDs).

[voltaire]

Originally Posted by Ruby Slippers

Is it possible that someone can put a library DVD into their PC and make coding changes, intentionally or accidentally?

No, that's not possible. Any settings you change for a DVD take place on the hardware playing it, not on the DVD itself.

[Munch]

Originally Posted by Seanette

Tried your first three settings (all of which needed to be changed). On the "PCM Down Conversion", do you mean On or Off (those are the two options presented)?

I'm not sure - I'm just going with what the manual says. It says "no effect" so I'm guessing it doesn't matter. Were you able to set the Downmix to "Stereo"?

(FYI: Essentially what these settings are doing is stripping out all the excellent audio features of bluray, so that it can be played by your television. If it's in a larger room, you may want to consider upgrading to a surround system, or even just a soundbar.)

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by Munch

I'm not sure - I'm just going with what the manual says. It says "no effect" so I'm guessing it doesn't matter. Were you able to set the Downmix to "Stereo"?

(FYI: Essentially what these settings are doing is stripping out all the excellent audio features of bluray, so that it can be played by your television. If it's in a larger room, you may want to consider upgrading to a surround system, or even just a soundbar.)

My living room isn't that big. The TV is less than 10 feet from the sofa or DH's computer desk (the customary viewing spots).

[Munch]

10 feet is actually a pretty big distance for a TV. If it's cramped, I'd look into an affordable soundbar (I've been seeing refurbs available for $40-50 lately) - it'll make a pretty substantial difference, especially if you've been noticing the need to crank your TV volume to 80% or more of its volume bar.

[KneadToKnow]

Depending on the size of the TV, 10' might be a little or a lot. Calculator.

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

Depending on the size of the TV, 10' might be a little or a lot. Calculator.

According to the calculator, my 42" TV is the right size for my room.

If I start noticing sound problems on disc playback, I'll consider the soundbar.

One oddity with this TV is that if I'm watching something while it airs, comfortable volume is generally in the 16-18 range. If I'm watching something from the DVR, Blu-Ray, or DVD/VCR, I have to usually put it up to about 30 to get the same apparent sound level.

[KneadToKnow]

That's not an oddity. It's a feature.

[voltaire]

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

That's not an oddity. It's a feature.

Interesting factoid, thanks. I've always noticed that, but was never annoyed or curious enough to find out why.

The part I hate about that is with some movies you have to really crank the volume to pick up the faint sounds and whispers, but then something blows up and the guns start blazing and your neighbors start reaching for the phone to call the police.

[KneadToKnow]

Originally Posted by voltaire

The part I hate about that is with some movies you have to really crank the volume to pick up the faint sounds and whispers, but then something blows up and the guns start blazing and your neighbors start reaching for the phone to call the police.

Most players (and if not in the player, in your receiver or TV) have a dynamic range setting to narrow the difference between the loudest and softest sounds. The narrowest range is sometimes called the "Nighttime" setting, the idea being that you are watching a movie at night and want to hear all the dialogue but don't want the sex scenes explosions to wake up your family.

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by voltaire

Interesting factoid, thanks. I've always noticed that, but was never annoyed or curious enough to find out why.

The part I hate about that is with some movies you have to really crank the volume to pick up the faint sounds and whispers, but then something blows up and the guns start blazing and your neighbors start reaching for the phone to call the police.

I loathe that too (apartment dweller).

Also hate mumbling actors and bad sound mixing that makes dialogue hard to make out at normal volume. We've resorted to using subtitles/closed captioning, and both of us have normal hearing.