New (2022) Freesat STB doesn't seem to provide digital 2.1 output?

[Mel_P]

I have just bought a new Freesat branded STB. The tuner on my Panasonic DVD Recorder has failed so needed new Freesat device. I have wired up the optical connection to by Marantz av amp. This is a 5.1 set up. With DVDs u get full surround sound and with iPlayer I generally get 2.1 sound. With Freesat programmes I sometimes get 2.1 sound but very often only stereo. The same programmes on iplayer generally give 2.1 and sometimes 5.1.

Is this a general shortfall of Freesat - poor sound?

My Panasonic Freesat DVD recorder seemed to provide 2.1??

Mel

 

[Rodders53]

No freesat services are broadcast i.e transmitted as DD 2.1

They use DD 2.0 on the HD services with the occasional programmes in DD 5.1 surround.

All SD programmes a PCM stereo (MPEG 2 coded).

As far as I know ZERO programmes on iPlayer are in 5.1 surround, and they don't use DD 2.1 either. Not even on the UHD trials. Just vanilla stereo.

You'll need to tweak your receiver to redirect stereo low frequencies to a subwoofer if that's what you want. As you did for the Panny and iPlayer it appears.

 

[Mel_P]

Does DD 2.0= stereo? please.

I do get sound from the centre channel on iPlayer?

 

[Rodders53]

Dolby digital 2.0 = L + R stereo
DD 2.1 = L + R + LFE (low frequency effects - divert to subwoofer.
The .1 = LFE.

ANY 2.0 output to Centre, Surround L/R etc. will be by the amp "upscaling" to those missing channels.
(Dolby Surround one of the most common).

I-Player will be stereo 2.0 at most as that's how ALL BBC programmes are played out and downmixed on iPlayer.
(BBC have tried some 5.1 stuff in the past but had issues with user devices that have yet to be resolved. AIUI.)

 

[Mel_P]

Dolby digital 2.0 = L + R stereo
DD 2.1 = L + R + LFE (low frequency effects - divert to subwoofer.
The .1 = LFE.

ANY 2.0 output to Centre, Surround L/R etc. will be by the amp "upscaling" to those missing channels.
(Dolby Surround one of the most common).

I-Player will be stereo 2.0 at most as that's how ALL BBC programmes are played out and downmixed on iPlayer.
(BBC have tried some 5.1 stuff in the past but had issues with user devices that have yet to be resolved. AIUI.)

Thanks!