linear pcm output from playstation2

[rajatQ2]

hi there,
here is my setup:
JVC 6500 VBK Amplifier, capable of dolby digital 5.1, dts, linear pcm
its about a year old.
playstation2, connected via digital optical cable.

When i have them hooked up, and am watching movies which have either DTS or dolby digital, the amplifier can only get a signal in Linear PCM mode. None of the other modes give a signal. I have them connected via digital optical cable, one of those monster cables specifically for the ps2. I know there is nothing wrong with the receiver because i had a toshiba dvd player hooked up to it with a digital coaxial cable, and it worked fine and the receiver's "digital auto" mode detected dolby or DTS, whichever applied.

However now i can only get Linear PCM out of the playstation. Isnt the playstation supposed to do so much more?
PS: The sound comes out like crap when i have surround sound on in linear pcm mode for most movies. all the dialogue comes out of my (very nice ) cambridge soundworks center channel, and the two side speakers are almost silent. this exact same setup works 1000x better when hooked up to a real dvd player. what to do?

[M_A_C]

Make sure you have the digital output turned on in your PS2 option menu. You have to manualy turn that on, it doesn't just recognise it or anything.

[ufcrusher]

Mac, you are correct sir! I used to have to talk customers through that lovely mistake all the time.

[TommyBoomfiger]

i have a ps2 hooked up to an amp with a dd 5.1 and dts decoder with an optical cable, and i cant get any dts sound at all. dd5.1 comes perfect but when i turn on dts the amp goes back to dolby prologic. using the same amp with an apex dvd player i can play the same discs in both dd5.1 and dts. yes i have the optical option on. any ideas?

[ufcrusher]

You have to turn on the dts option on the dvd player, make sure that your amp is set to recognize both and then select it on the disc.

[rajatQ2]

Originally posted by M_A_C
Make sure you have the digital output turned on in your PS2 option menu. You have to manualy turn that on, it doesn't just recognise it or anything.

thanks for the advice. unfortunately, i do have the digital output turned on
the 'analog output' from the ps2 are just hanging loose and not plugged into the amp. need some more ideas
rajatq2

[ufcrusher]

So you have gone into the system menu of the PS2 and turned on the digital output?
What about turning on the digital input on your receiver?
Since I dont know about JVC receivers (never sold them) I cant talk you through that, but for most receivers you have to select the type of input. For example on yamahas you have to select from Auto (meaning it will automatically default to the highest input coming in), Digital, or Analog. On sony's and denons you have to go through the setup menu and either assign the input (denon) or activate it(sony)

The last thing is the disc itself...there are certain discs that claim to be Dolby Digital but are really Dolby Digital STEREO...meaning that it is only capable of Dolby Pro Logic. For example, Blade Runner is one of these discs. (I am assuming that you know how to select the type of audio on the disc itself)

Hope this helps.

[TommyBoomfiger]

thanks guys, i never saw the options for dd and dts before, only the option to turn on optical output. works perfectly now