Page 1 of How do Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS 6.1 discs play back on 5.1 equipment??

DVDs & Films Forum

How do Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS 6.1 discs play back on 5.1 equipment??

Hulk Smash! (Elite) posted this on Monday, 9th September 2002, 21:12

(Hope this is in the right column - I wasn`t sure!?)

I was just wondering how Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS 6.1 play back on a 5.1 set-up/system (ie - without a rear centre speaker). I`ve noticed a few new discs (Blade 2, The extended LOTR) coming out as 6.1 - will it just play as normal on a 5.1 system, missing the rear centre sound, or are seperate 5.1 tracks also included on the discs?? THANKS!!

(I hope this make sense!!)

RE: How do Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS 6.1 discs play back on 5.1 equipment??

mickl (Competent) posted this on Monday, 9th September 2002, 21:45

they play as 5.1 discs, you just wont benefit from the 6th channel. The discs are fully backwards compatible

RE: How do Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS 6.1 discs play back on 5.1 equipment??

Anil Khedun (Elite) posted this on Monday, 9th September 2002, 22:16

5.1 EX/ES is the rear centre channel soundtrack which is matrixed into the rear L-R surround channels. If you have 5.1 EX/ES equipment, the sound will be decoded correctly. If not, then the sound will stay undecoded within the bitstream and you won`t notice it.

Nice to have EX/ES though! Except for all those cables...

RE: How do Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS 6.1 discs play back on 5.1 equipment??

MATR1X (Mostly Harmless) posted this on Monday, 9th September 2002, 23:13

Go for ex/es systems,all you are adding is one extra speaker cable to the back of the room.I`ve had mine almost 2 years with great bennefits,playing non encoded ex/es films with good results.Gladiator in dts discrete 6.1 and the haunting in dts discrete 6.1 rocks with bass that will rock your house.

RE: How do Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS 6.1 discs play back on 5.1 equipment??

Westy (Elite) posted this on Monday, 9th September 2002, 23:48

Funny one this, the actual sound for the rear centre can be heard from the left/right surrounds at is carried in this signal, however the localisation is very poor as many of us have our surround speakers on side walls or use dipoles which means the sound doesn`t `image` like a proper monopole can.

I`ve tried many comparisons, flicking from 5.1 to 6.1 and the matrix rear surround from Dolby and Dts Ex/Es soundtracks can be heard, all the rear channel does is localise the effects and add a lot more depth to the rear soundstage - like those above, i`ve had this for ages now and wouldn`t be without it! Though i wouldn`t say it`s essential, a good 5.1 system will still thrill and put a smile on your face!

Westy

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