DTS ES and DD EX in a 5.1 System

[Lexmark3200]

What happens when a DVD that boasts a 6.1 DTS ES or Dolby Digital EX soundtrack is played back through a 5.1 system? Is anything "lost" per se without that sixth back surround channel? My receiver does decode DTS ES and DD EX signals, but I am only running a 5.1 array, yet I choose DTS ES and DD EX soundtracks from DVD menus when they are available----what happens when you play back films with 6.1 channel soundtracks through 5.1 systems? Is the "extended" sound somehow being "ghosted" or "matrixed" between the standard surrounds?

[zapr]

............It would be the same as running the front centre in phantom mode. You'll hear things localize between the rear surrounds........Zapr.

[Lexmark3200]

............It would be the same as running the front centre in phantom mode. You'll hear things localize between the rear surrounds........Zapr.

Thanks Zap,

So Im not really listening to "Discrete" 6.1 without the back surround channel, but kind of "ghosted" 6.1? Is it much different from 5.1?

[zapr]

.........If you were to run a test sequence on your speakers, when the noise comes to the rear centre it will sound from the two rear surrounds at the same time creating a rear phantom centre speaker. Listening to a 6.1 dvd on a 5.1 system, the signal to the rear centre would be distributed to both rear surrounds. Just for example, I have the T2 extreme dvd which is 6.1 and played on my 5.1 system, I hear sounds directly behind me. Although a centre channel would localize better...........Zapr

[Lexmark3200]

.........If you were to run a test sequence on your speakers, when the noise comes to the rear centre it will sound from the two rear surrounds at the same time creating a rear phantom centre speaker. Listening to a 6.1 dvd on a 5.1 system, the signal to the rear centre would be distributed to both rear surrounds. Just for example, I have the T2 extreme dvd which is 6.1 and played on my 5.1 system, I hear sounds directly behind me. Although a centre channel would localize better...........Zapr

Thanks Again Zap...

So, then, what is the point of a 6.1 system exactly if you are hearing the sixth channel's signal between the two surrounds of a standard 5.1 setup? Just some dedicated signal every now and then from the center rear?

[vivisimonvi]

So, then, what is the point of a 6.1 system exactly if you are hearing the sixth channel's signal between the two surrounds of a standard 5.1 setup? Just some dedicated signal every now and then from the center rear?

Depends if you find it convenient to place a speaker directly behind you. My receiver is 6.1 capable but I find it HIGHLY inconvenient to place another speaker behind me in my setup. I find the matrixed effect from two back surrounds to work very well (depending on how good your surrounds matrix a "back surround" effect). It's all a matter of opinion, although not a lot of movie soundtracks support 6.1. Heck, we've gone this far why not have a 10.1 system in the next decade? Just stick with the standard 5.1 setup with good surround back speakers... I would think adding another discrete channel would rob power and add more stress to your receiver anyways.

[Monstrous Mike]

Thanks Again Zap...

So, then, what is the point of a 6.1 system exactly if you are hearing the sixth channel's signal between the two surrounds of a standard 5.1 setup? Just some dedicated signal every now and then from the center rear?

I think these guys have covered this already here. It is similar to using the fronts without a centre and using the Phantom Center Mode. Any panning from right to left, etc. will likely sound better with a rear centre. Also any dialog will appear to come from directly behind you, if that is what is encoded by the sound engineer.

In the end, it really is a matter of opinion and whether you can position a centre rear speaker properly in your home. I think having a receiver that is 6.1 capable and matrixes the rear center to the rear surrounds is a pretty good compromise. It is a lot better than a 5.1 receiver which simply discards that rear center channel information.

[This Guy]

dude give it a rest. You know you asked this question about 8 times in the past year, we keep telling you, except you continue to ask the question as if nobody answered it. He's just messing with you new members. Do a search for this screen name, as well as "To live and die in New York". Both are the same person asking the same question over and over. I thought this guy changed cause he was actually starting some legit posts, but i guess that didn't last too long.

[Lexmark3200]

dude give it a rest. You know you asked this question about 8 times in the past year, we keep telling you, except you continue to ask the question as if nobody answered it. He's just messing with you new members. Do a search for this screen name, as well as "To live and die in New York". Both are the same person asking the same question over and over. I thought this guy changed cause he was actually starting some legit posts, but i guess that didn't last too long.

FIrst of all, "dude", you cant prove that I am "messing" with anyone-----I am NOT messing with anyone and I say that here with angst and disgust toward a glaring generalized comment such as yours----I dont know any "To live and die in New York" and I am not "messing" with any new members----I really did want to know what happens when playing a 6.1 DVD through a 5.1 system. Seems the characteristics of surround systems change from disc to disc in this scenario, so I was just curious. I think its YOU who needs to give it a rest because I clearly stated to the last poster "FAIR ENOUGH, THANK YOU" and was accepting his analysis of the topic until you stepped in.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

dude give it a rest. You know you asked this question about 8 times in the past year, we keep telling you, except you continue to ask the question as if nobody answered it. He's just messing with you new members. Do a search for this screen name, as well as "To live and die in New York". Both are the same person asking the same question over and over. I thought this guy changed cause he was actually starting some legit posts, but i guess that didn't last too long.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL........ouch it hurts.............I have no more emoticons to express my feelings.....hehehehehehehe.....ooopps here is one I guess that sums it up!

[JSE]

dude give it a rest. You know you asked this question about 8 times in the past year, we keep telling you, except you continue to ask the question as if nobody answered it. He's just messing with you new members. Do a search for this screen name, as well as "To live and die in New York". Both are the same person asking the same question over and over. I thought this guy changed cause he was actually starting some legit posts, but i guess that didn't last too long.

And John Beresford or something like that. 3 screen names and counting.


JSE

[Lexmark3200]

And John Beresford or something like that. 3 screen names and counting.


JSE

Oh I knew it was a matter of time until I heard from you, Mr. JSE.....I have read and bore witness to ALL your posts on here, attacking innocnent people who are simply trying to learn and/or share problems with gear.....I KNEW YOU couldnt possibly stay out of this for too long, because, well, its just in your nature, isnt it? Gonna attack someone new now once again, are ye? AMAZING people like you actually exist in this world....absolutely amazing. Fun of the chase, eh, JSE?

[JSE]

Oh I knew it was a matter of time until I heard from you, Mr. JSE.....I have read and bore witness to ALL your posts on here, attacking innocnent people who are simply trying to learn and/or share problems with gear.....I KNEW YOU couldnt possibly stay out of this for too long, because, well, its just in your nature, isnt it? Gonna attack someone new now once again, are ye? AMAZING people like you actually exist in this world....absolutely amazing. Fun of the chase, eh, JSE?

Huh? Attacking innocent people? When? Show me examples. The only people I have ever had issues with are you, TLADINY, and to some extent John B. You know, YOU. Again, who are all these people I attack? This could not be farther from the truth.

JSE

[Lexmark3200]

Huh? Attacking innocent people? When? Show me examples. The only people I have ever had issues with are you, TLADINY, and to some extent John B. You know, YOU. Again, who are all these people I attack? This could not be farther from the truth.

JSE

PEOPLE-----as in the PEOPLE you mention above----PEOPLE I DONT KNOW.