How to detect a multichannel signal?

[LuckyLyndy]

I have questions. I have not been able to receive a surround sound signal streaming from my Fire Stick 4K>Pioneer VSX-1120>Hisense U7. My subscription is the MFC, (My Family Channel). I can't get surround sound, nor the 4K.
I ordered a Denon X1700H, thinking my receiver is too old to process it.
How can I discern if I am actually receiving a multichannel signal? I have the set up in the Fire Stick correct.
If the signal doesn't carry it, I am wasting my money, as I viewed the movie, Heat, through my Blu-ray player, and it was wonderful! I am viewing it now, via my streaming and it is only in stereo.
A side note, Amir, thank you for the recent video reviews.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Your AVR should tell you whether it is receving MCH or up-mixing from stereo. Perhaps you can choose some "direct" setting and hear if you are getting the other channels.

 

[kyuu]

Based on this data sheet for your VSX-1120 it should have no trouble receiving and decoding surround formats from the Fire Stick. As Kal said, generally the screen on an AVR will give an indication of what audio format it is receiving. For most streaming services, it will probably show Dolby Digital Plus. If it's not receiving a surround sound format from the Fire Stick, check the audio settings as described here. It's also possible the AVR is set to a mode where it is downmixing the signal, for example you could have the stereo mode erroneously engaged on that source instead of auto surround, as described in the manual.

 

[LuckyLyndy]

Kal and kyuu, thank you for your responses.
I think I do have all those suggestions checked. I am thinking I need to subscribe to another streaming service, YouTube, or Hulu, etc, and see if that source is detected as a multichannel signal. I will wait for a trial subscription.
Does that make sense? kyuu, thank you for that link to my AVR manual. I do think my receiver detects the signal, as the Blu-ray disc was played back in the correct multichannel format. I tried another disc, and could stipulate between Dolby and DTS.
But that excludes the Fire Stick. And yes, I did have those settings on my Fire Stick to what was suggested.
My nephew also commented that at my age, and at the distance from my 55", the 4K just doesn't matter.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I think I do have all those suggestions checked. I am thinking I need to subscribe to another streaming service, YouTube, or Hulu, etc, and see if that source is detected as a multichannel signal. I will wait for a trial subscription.

Let us know. The only multichannel streaming sources I know of are Atmos-based.

 

[kyuu]

What streaming service were you using?

 

[LuckyLyndy]

kyuu,
I am using MFC, My Family Channel, and IPTV. I just called Denon US in California, and am told my
receiver might ship next week. Wonderful.
I am now convinced that it was my source (MFC...IPTV), and not my old receiver, in my ability to receive 4K and multichannel material. I'll just grin and enjoy my new toys. The KEF Q150's will arrive tomorrow, and I can close my eyes and dream I've got their LS50's. All this silliness, while I have yet to switch out my Scan-Speak driver in my main system. Perhaps there is an Audio Anonymous. "Hi, I'm Lyndy, and I have a HiFi problem...first, they lured me back with the promise of tubes..."
Whenever the new receiver arrives, I'll try out a new content provider, and see what comes through the pipe. Back watching Blu-ray movies last night, for a popcorn matinee movie, John Carter (of Mars), is fun home theater. And even older DvD's were fun. I also watched 'The Doors' Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970, and the DTS soundtrack was quite good.

 

[LuckyLyndy]

kyuu,
I'm getting more nervous about this incoming? Denon receiver. Since nothing has transpired since last Monday, I wonder about their customer service. I was surprised that when they transferred me to the tech department, the fellow couldn't tell me what video processing chipset is in the X1700H. I am considering what options I have for a similarly spec'd model from another company. Denon has neither made a pull on my credit card, or said anything aside from my order is in "processing".
I also noticed on the Denon US website, a $200 increase for the same model. Wow! I guess I will 'sit' on my order.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

What streaming service were you using?

I was referring to music services only, not general purpose movie/video services. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Multicore]

It's one thing to know the format of the input. It's another to know how many signals these channels are carrying. Data in some channels might be identical to others. A vectorscope might be revealing with two N-into-1 input selectors, each of the N inputs wired to the format's channels.