Tinkering for listening tv/video streaming on my DAC

Tinkering
1

Hello,

I have an issue with my Panasonic TV when plugged on my x sabre pro mqa DAC using optic output/inputs on my 2.0 system (2 ground-floor speakers).
As soon as, I am watching a content that has 5.1 capability or more, the voices are not strong enough vs. music and effects. I know that this is a well known issue but I have not found a solution. I am only watching movies over different streaming services (amazon prime, Netflix, orange).
Is there any magic box that can downmix properly the content on the fly for a 2.0 system? Just to get a correct equilibrium between voices and the rest?
Is there any tinkering that can be done (raspberry pi or else?).
Thanks for your help.
J

2

Hi @Judelow, have you tried getting the TV to do the down-mixing explicitly, i.e. output stereo rather than 5.1 over the optical. I have an LG TV but this did the trick for me. Any tinkering would be an extra encoding step, this is a good place to start but it’s unlikely to prove that useful and may (for RPi implementation read WILL) introduce a delay in the audio. Again you can probably fix this by introducing an audio lag in the TV settings but it’s a painful set of tweaks that are far from guaranteed to give you good results. What’s the TV model?

3

Thanks for your answer.
My TV is a Panasonic TX-50CX700E UHD 3D, I bought it in 2015. I have not been able to find the right parameter in the configuration menu. I agree this would be the easiest way.

4

https://www.libble.eu/panasonic-tx-50cx700e/online-manual-659045/

pg. 88 try setting Audio Preference to stereo
pg. 89 try SPDIF setting to PCM

This is what happens when I’m sat in front of a report I DO NOT want to write.

Good luck :slight_smile:

4 Likes
5

Thanks so much :pray:
I will let you know as soon as I am home.

6

Hi @Judelow. Any joy?

7

Hi Carl
Unfortunately it is not working. I cannot find the right option to activate.

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For spdif selection I have the choice between auto and pcm…

8

What’s under audio preference? PCM should be good BTW.

9

So I think try setting stereo under audio preferences in the second picture. Again good luck @Judelow

10

Audio preferance is : auto or mpeg

I noticed that sound set up is also input dependant and shall be configured for each.

Also forgot to mention, on hdmi3 a chromecast is connected and casts amazon prime video most of the time. The issue with voice is also encountered in this configuration

Thanks again