Volume issue with VIZIO S4251w-B4 satellite speakers. Help!

Salzeda

Distinguished
Dec 27, 2011
8
0
18,510
Hello! I recently set up a VIZIO S4251w-B4 sound system with my 40" Sony BRAVIA HDTV.

The sound from the soundbar is working just fine. It's very loud and clear.

However, when trying to watch cable TV the sound coming through the satellite speakers is very faint.

The interesting thing is that this problem does not occur when playing games on my PS3. The sound coming through the satellite speakers when gaming is loud and clear and gives off a great surround sound feel.

The problem is only occurring when trying to watch cable TV.

What could be the problem here? For the record, I have the soundbar connected to the TV with the digital optical cable.

Would really appreciate some help here, thanks! :)
 
Solution
Check the audio menu on your cable box. It may only be sending out stereo. There will not be a lot of surround on most cable channels. Try a channel with a movie playing that should have a lot of rear channel use and change the surround mode on the soundbar.

Salzeda

Distinguished
Dec 27, 2011
8
0
18,510


Yep, I tried various ways of setting it up. Nothing changed.

I tried connecting the soundbar to the TV via digital coaxial cable. No change.
I tried connecting the soundbar to the cable box via digital optical cable. No change.
I tried connecting the soundbar to the cable box via digital coaxial cable. No change.

I'm not entirely sure what else I can try!
 

Salzeda

Distinguished
Dec 27, 2011
8
0
18,510


I have the "Surround" setting maxed so that shouldn't be an issue. Like I said, the speakers work fine when playing a game or movie through the Playstation 3, but with TV shows there's hardly any sound coming through them.
 

Salzeda

Distinguished
Dec 27, 2011
8
0
18,510


I figured it out!

There was a setting in the cable box settings called "Audio Output". It was set to auto initially, but I changed it to "L-PCM". I wasn't sure what L-PCM means, but it seems to have fixed the problem. I'm getting great surround sound when watching cable TV.

Thanks for the help!