How to Equip to Receive Dolby Digital from DirecTV Satellite TV

For several years, Dolby Laboratories experimented with different formats of processing audio signals to improve the quality of recorded sound. Their most advanced technology known as Dolby Digital refers to the process of coding, storing and transmission of superior quality digital audio signals so listeners are treated to realistic sound effects. To receive Dolby Digital, you need to have an appropriate receiver. Not all DirecTV receivers are Dolby Digital compatible. Read the guidelines below to receive surround sound.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine if the receiver you have is Dolby Digital capable. For this, refer to the receiver user manual you received with the system.

2. Alternatively, go to the DirecTV Web site (see Resources below) and select Customer Service >> System Manuals option from the menu to the left of the screen. Click the receiver brand name and then the model for information about the particular receiver model you have.

3. If you do not have a Dolby Digital compatible receiver, call DirecTV to inquire about the necessary procedure. Check the pricing and place an order for a Dolby Digital supporting receiver.

4. Use the coaxial cable to connect the receiver with the satellite dish antenna.

5. Connect the receiver with the television set.

6. Ensure that other related equipment such as your speakers also supports Dolby Digital. If you want, either buy a new home theater system or upgrade the existing one.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the Dolby Digital Web site (see Resources) for detailed information about upgrading an existing system to one that supports surround sound.
• 5.1 in the term Dolby Digital 5.1 refers to the five channels used for the surround sound effect. Typically, a sixth channel is used additionally for low frequency effects (LFE). Because the LFE channel uses only a tenth of the bandwidth compared to others, the sixth channel is denoted as .1.
• At times, a coaxial cable may pick up interference from home appliances and/or nearby broadcast stations or power lines. Using optical cables resolves the situation. Optical cables are, however, more expensive than coaxial cables.
• Some Dolby Digital compatible equipment has only one of the two kinds of connectors– coaxial or optical–meaning that you are stuck with one type of cable. When buying the equipment, ensure that it supports both kinds of connectors so you have the choice of using a suitable cable.
• The newer varieties of receivers can easily be upgraded to home theatre systems. Old models cannot be converted. For systems that support in-built audio video receivers, an additional Dolby Digital decoder can be added. Alternatively, you can purchase a new system. If you need to buy a new system, first consider its price.
• Before buying a new home theater system, do a thorough market search and understand the terms completely. Limited knowledge of the technology may lead to sales personnel selling you a sub-standard product.