Roku 2 (2015 model) and DD 5.1

Munkus

Munkus

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I had an Amazon gift card so I thought I'd pick up the Roku 2 2015 model on sale for $59.00. I hooked it up via HDMI to my AV receiver, but I can't get Netflix or Amazon instant video to play in 5.1 surround audio. I know that Netflix switched to Dolby Digital+ encoding, which my receiver doesn't natively support, but Amazon streams standard Dolby Digital. Both play 5.1 fine when I use my PS3 (which decodes DD+ to regular DD), but for the life of me I can't get 5.1 via the Roku. Just regular stereo.

Is it my receiver? Harman Kardon AVR 247, which has native decoding for Dolby Pro Logic I and II, Dolby Digital, and DTS. Or is it the Roku? I tried all audio settings in the Roku with no luck.
 
From what I just read, the Roku 2 is a pass-thru, meaning the Roku does not decode the signal but rather passes it directly through to the receiver. Thus your receiver must be DD+ capable in order to have 5.1.
 
curio said:
From what I just read, the Roku 2 is a pass-thru, meaning the Roku does not decode the signal but rather passes it directly through to the receiver. Thus your receiver must be DD+ capable in order to have 5.1.
Click to expand...

Yep. I had originally read that Amazon videos streamed with DD 5.1, not DD+. Now it seems like they do DD+ just like Netflix. Makes sense, considering that DD+ uses half the bandwidth.

I'll eventually replace my receiver. In the meantime, I've returned the Roku and I'll stick with my PS3.
 
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Well not all movies in Amazon Prime are in DD 5.1; you might have picked some that aren't. Fact is that there are many movies on Prime that are simply 2-channel. I think you can check the info page for the movie and it should state 5.1 if it is 5.1.

Also before you send it back, double check your Roku audio settings. Settings menu > audio mode; then either auto, stereo, or surround mode.
 
One thing that makes me curious though is shouldn't your receiver output to 5.1 when you set it to ProLogic II? Even if the source is 2-channel, ProLogic II should create 5.1 out of a 2-channel signal...
 
curio said:
One thing that makes me curious though is shouldn't your receiver output to 5.1 when you set it to ProLogic II? Even if the source is 2-channel, ProLogic II should create 5.1 out of a 2-channel signal...
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Oddly enough, no. I set it to ProLogic II and it still showed only the RF and LF speakers being used.

It's possible that I just have a crappy receiver, but it does sound amazing when I watch movies in 5.1 through my PS3.
 
My guess is it's a setting on your receiver that is not allowing 5.1 audio to be pass thru...

How is the Roku set up? Is the audio going through an HDMI, optical, or coax cable?
 
curio said:
My guess is it's a setting on your receiver that is not allowing 5.1 audio to be pass thru...

How is the Roku set up? Is the audio going through an HDMI, optical, or coax cable?
Click to expand...

HDMI and it's set to Auto for audio type. I've tried manually specifying DD, DTS, and DD+ but same result.
 
Munkus said:
HDMI and it's set to Auto for audio type. I've tried manually specifying DD, DTS, and DD+ but same result.
Click to expand...

So I assume you have it set up this way:

Roku -> HK AVR 247 via HDMI

and then

HK AVR 247 -> TV via HDMI

If that's right, just for troubleshooting sake, try an optical or coax audio cable from the Roku to the HK receiver, and then try a 5.1 show from Amazon and see what results you get...

I'm guessing if it works with with an optical or coax cable, but not with HDMI, then you probably have some kind of HDMI audio setting on that specific input on your HK receiver that needs to be changed. For example, I know on some Onkyo receivers there is a setting labeled "Passthrough audio" or something like that where you have to enable it in order to play 5.1 audio...
 
curio said:
So I assume you have it set up this way:

Roku -> HK AVR 247 via HDMI

and then

HK AVR 247 -> TV via HDMI

If that's right, just for troubleshooting sake, try an optical or coax audio cable from the Roku to the HK receiver, and then try a 5.1 show from Amazon and see what results you get...

I'm guessing if it works with with an optical or coax cable, but not with HDMI, then you probably have some kind of HDMI audio setting on that specific input on your HK receiver that needs to be changed. For example, I know on some Onkyo receivers there is a setting labeled "Passthrough audio" or something like that where you have to enable it in order to play 5.1 audio...
Click to expand...

The Roku 2 that I bought doesn't have an optical output. Just HDMI.

Thanks for the suggestion though. The Roku is on its way back to Amazon, so it's a moot point now. :p
 
Roku 3 is a huge improvement over any Roku 2. I'd recommend a refurb Roku 3 over any 2. I picked one up for around $75 on Amazon.
 
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