Page 1 of DumbBumb question for techies on backing-up DVD 5.1 sound on VHS

To date I have made my DVD back-up copies on VHS by choosing the Surround or ProLogic soundtrack option for analogue audio output. Now I have met dig. 5.1 only DVDs, which results in nice video and effects but inaudible dialogue on the taped copy. So, what can I do to get my dialogue back?

For sake of ease I connect by scart out from my Pioneer DV-626D to 3-phonos in on the front of my Panasonic NV-HD 650 hifi stereo VCR. I also have the 626 connected to a Sony STR-DB 830 dig. amp./receiver, to which the Panasonic is likewise connected, though only by analogue audio ins.

A quick squint at the Pioneer manual says the "power-rating" of the various 5.1 discrete outputs from its onboard decoder is the same as for its regular stereo audio-outs. Would there be any problem if I were therefore to source my analogue audio from the centre (for dialogue) and, say, either left or right front (for effects, music, etc.) discrete 5.1 outputs? The other 5.1 outputs would remain unconnected. I would continue to source the video signal from the scart and, although it sounds a bit complicated, in fact it would not be difficult.

The Pioneer onboard set-up menu also allows for speaker settings to be set. Would it help -or make any difference at all- if I were to "switch off" the rear speakers on this option? I already have the subwoofer option switched off as this is the missing link in my system.

Apart from this possible solution, does anyone know of any other, perhaps routing the audio through the amp. in some way?

This item was edited on Saturday, 2nd December 2000, 17:21

I don`t think there is any way you will get DD 5.1 sound from DVD to VHS. You VCR is only capable of recording analogue. It can record Pro-logic because that is embedded in the analogue stereo soundtrack. Using the 6 channel ouputs isn`t going to make any difference.

I stand to be corrected on this by one of the more technical members of these forums, but I would have thought that you just need to force your DVD player into non-Dolby Digital mode while recording. Even Dolby Digital DVDs will usually be able to be played in stereo or Pro-logic.

Thanks for yr reply Mick.

Yes, I realise I can`t get dig. sound recorded on an analogue tape, but what I believe is that, by the time the "sound" comes out of the 5.1 discrete outputs, the 626`s onboard decoder/DAC should have already converted same from dig. to analogue. Even when I record 5.1 tracks with the connection I mentioned in my previous posting, I do get some dialogue - but basically the minimal bleed one gets from centre to L & R front spkrs, and not the main dialogue audio directed at the centre spkr. As such it is too low to hear, and if the amp is turned up loud enough to hear it, all the effects normally routed to the L&R spkrs are deafening!

Having the digital amp. I don`t usually use the DVD`s onboard decoder -I forgot to say in my original that the DVD > Amp. connection is digital, though analogue connections are possible, too.

Theoretically I think my idea should work, even though the resulting mix surely can`t be perfect, as there must be effects sound lost (all the stuff that is being routed out of the other 3.1 outputs). I just don`t want to try it without someone "in-the-know" assuring me it`s not going to burn out my VCR or whatever.

As for analogue tracks on DVDs, well yes, I thought there surely must be on all of them, but you see, I don`t live in the UK and my DVDs are sourced in another European country so, although there is an English language track apart from other languages, there is generally only one and, for modern pics., only 5.1. Hence the pickle I am in.

Right, now I understand a bit more.

As I am not that technically knowledgeable, I doubt I can really help. But, I think you are right in assuming the dialogue you are getting is "bleed" from the front left/right feeds. I reckon you should try a straight analogue connection from the DVD player, either via the amp or direct from the DVD`s analogue/composite video RCA jacks to the analogue/composite RCA inputs on the VCR. You should, in theory, get a stero soundtrack that way. You might need to remove the Scart connection between DVD and VCR when you do this, as, it has been my experience in the past, that the Scart often takes priority on VCRs over the analogue/composite inputs.

Sorry, can`t be of more help. Hopefully, someone else will come along with some ideas.

Best of luck.