Comments on: Transcoding surround sound for FreeviewHD

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 06:05:33 +0000

Hello, just bought the Technika STBHDH2010 (Harvard?) box from tescos as it was on sale, just want to ask does it do transcoding for 5.1 surround? it has DolbyDigitalPlus on the front of the box, connected up to my Sony surround system which does DD/DTS/LPCM, I set technika box’s Audio Output to Dolby but got no sound? does that mean the box is not doing transcoding, or just my system don’t support DD+?

will there be any firmware updates to get transcoding working for this range of boxes or is it a hardware limitation?

By: Paul Seager

Paul Seager — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:37:47 +0000

I’ll have to watch one of those and see what happens. Thanks.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:05:24 +0000

It usually says ‘Dolby Digital 5.1′ for shows with a surround soundtrack – though looking through the BBC HD listings, I didn’t spot any until Saturday, when ‘Tinga Tinga Tales’ at 14.50, 15.30 and The Tudors at 22.00 followed by Nurse Jackie at 23.00 are supposed to be in 5.1

By: Paul Seager

Paul Seager — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:36:19 +0000

Thanks for that. I’ve noticed alot of the shows on that guide say stereo. Does that mean 5.1 or will it actually say surround or 5.1?

By: Nigel

Nigel — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:09:01 +0000

If you have access to DigiGuide, that will sometimes tell you which programmes are in 5.1. That said, it’s not showing anything as 5.1 this evening on BBC 1HD or BBC HD – though I had a feeling Silent Witness was. There isn’t a massive amount, though films tend to be, and some of the imported drama on Channel 4.

By: Paul Seager

Paul Seager — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:01:23 +0000

Continuing from my last post. I’ve just read the BBC article from last year which was very helpful. I’m guessing the programs I’ve been watching haven’t been in 5.1. I’ve only just started using the box again after about 6 months. I haven’t a clue on the amount of 5.1 broadcasting at the mo.

By: Paul Seager

Paul Seager — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:20:18 +0000

Please can anyone confirm what the situation is with Luxor 690 HD box producing surround sound? My Sony home theatre system is only producing stereo when linked up to the box via the optical. I’ve had a look at the product info on the label and it mentions the T8300 which I thought supported Dolby Digital. I’ve had a look at the configuration menu and the only options are PCM and Bitstream.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:43:52 +0000

My understanding of this is that it will do the Dolby Transcoding with an update, but I’m not sure if that’s generally available.

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:13:18 +0000

Can anyone confirm what the situation is with the 5.1 sound output of the Technika SmartBox 8320HD? please?

By: Nigel

Nigel — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:16:28 +0000

Yes; it’s annoying isn’t it, especially if you want to use one sometimes, and another at other times, for example just the TV speakers when you come home late from the pub, and don’t want to wake anyone up.