DVDs do not necessarily default automatically to Dolby Digital 5.1. (There is no need to connect the analog left and right audio cables to the A/V receiver except in special circumstances.) Note: While you are at it, do not forget to connect the video cable, because the DVD player's digital output does not carry the video signal. If it has both, use whichever one is convenient. There is no difference in sound quality between these two types of connectors. Connect your DVD player with either a single digital coaxial or optical digital cable from the DVD player's digital output jack to the digital input that corresponds to the DVD input on the A/V receiver.Now, here's how to do it correctly (the following instructions assume that you own a Dolby Digital/dts 5.1 to 7.1-channel A/V receiver with digital inputs and a DVD player with a digital output jack, either coaxial or optical or both): The truth of the matter is he wasn't hearing any surround effects at all-because his new A/V receiver wasn't operating in Dolby Digital 5.1! He was listening to the movie in stereo because he hadn't set up the DVD player's menu to output a 5.1-channel Dolby Digital bitstream, and he hadn't connected the DVD player's digital output jack to the A/V receiver's digital input. He also was disappointed with what few surround effects he could hear. The last query was from a user whose new A/V receiver wouldn't switch into the Dolby Digital mode, and refused to display Dolby Digital on its front panel. I answer email questions about this all-too-common scenario every week. You panic! Is my new receiver defective? Is the hookup wrong? Maybe the surround levels need adjustment? Aren't these new multipolar surround speakers supposed to be all enveloping, immersing me in an involving and realistic soundfield? Did I position them incorrectly? The movie starts, the sound from your main stereo speakers is great, but somehow the surround effects seem to be lacking. Here's a surprisingly common problem You've set up your new Dolby Digital/dts A/V receiver, Axiom 5.1-channel home theater surround system and DVD player, popped in a DVD, and pressed Play.

Dolby digital surround