6.1 AV Reciever Question

DannyB · 20-05-2003, 17:57

Hi everyone,

I am soon going to purchase a new AV Reciever and I specifically wanted the feature of 6.1 sound. I am under the impression that if you have a reciever that is 6.1 capable then you can listen to the sound formats of Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES which is what I want.

What confuses me is that there are now 5.1 recievers that have Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES decoders. For example in the new Sony catalogue the STR-DE695 is described as having both sound formats but is only a 5 X 120W reciever. the EX and ES formats are supposed to be for a sixth speaker right? so how can a reciever that only has 5.1 channels truelly decode EX and ES????

The Sony 1080 on the other hand is quoted as having 6x 100 W output and this is what I would expect from a reciever that claims to output EX and ES.

Would someone please explain this to me because maybe im getting confused, and it will also aid my purchasing decision. Surely you need a 6.1 reciever like the 1080 to produce the EX and ES sound formats?? So why are they advertising a 5.1 amp as having the decoders.

Thanks

comicsansserif · 21-05-2003, 08:47

The 5.1er's that do ES and EX produce a "phantom center rear" by decoding the 6.1 channels correctly and then apply then "adding" the center rear sounds to the rear left and right channels.

This is really no different to the way these AV amps can produce a "phantom" center forward by using just left and right front speakers.

The sound made in this way will contain all the sounds recorded and should be better than 5.1 alone, but it will not be quite as direction as true 6.1 output.

Matt F · 25-05-2003, 12:49

Any 5.1 DD/DTS amp/receiver/processor will replay the EX/ES soundtrack because it is "matrixed" in with the normal rear left/right soundtracks - what they won't do,of course, is play it through a separate "surround back" channel.

I can see no benefit in being able to extract the matrixed surround back channel if you can only play it back through the normal left/right rear speakers - after all, that is what any 5.1 Dd/DTS decoder will do anyway (see paragraph above).

The only exception is DTS-ES discrete which is a totally separate (non matrixed) channel - only a DTS-ES discrete decoder will pick this up. Having said that, I understand that all DVDs with a DTS-ES discrete channel also have a normal DTS-ES matrixed soundtrack so you won't miss out either way.

Matt.

PAUL SPRIGGS · 29-05-2003, 14:52

SORRY IF IM STATING THE OBVIOUS HERE BUT WHY DO YOU WHO HAVE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS (WHAT IS DPL2 , WHAT IS 6.1 ,WHAT PLASMA DO I BUY ETC ETC) NOT VISIT A SPECIALIST AV RETAILER ?
THESE GUYS CAN EXPLAIN AND DEMONSTRATE THE SORT OF GEAR YOU ARE INTERESTED IN . (BY SPECIALIST AV I DO NOT NECESSARILY MEAN CURRYS , COMET , RICHER SOUNDS ETC , BUT THERE MUST BE INDEPENDENTS IN YOUR AREA).
JUST A THOUGHT
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

davep · 29-05-2003, 15:00

WELL FIRST OF ALL: DON'T SHOUT!

Secondly, not everyone is lucky enough to have a helpful specialist retailer in their town. If they do, they probably can't aford the prices these people charge and they just may have a conscience when it come to taking the time of the specialist and then buying from the web!

Finally, I thought we were all here to help as well as be helped!

DaveP

PAUL SPRIGGS · 30-05-2003, 13:21

sorry guys : didnt mean to shout(didnt realise caps lock on : honest!)

Nikhil · 01-06-2003, 17:31

I've got the Sony 1080 at home and can highly recommend it to anyone. Apparently in the summer Sony are going to upgrade this amp again (minor upgrade) so it may be worth holding out for a bit cos u'll get it cheaper soon.

I have only connected 5 speakers at the moment and matrixed the rear centre into the rear side speakers. The home cinema sound is superb with DD-EX and DTS-ES sounding amazing.

Its well worht investing in one of these, especially cos u can then add a speaker in the future if you so desire!!

20-05-2003, 17:57	#1
DannyB Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 62	6.1 AV Reciever Question Hi everyone, I am soon going to purchase a new AV Reciever and I specifically wanted the feature of 6.1 sound. I am under the impression that if you have a reciever that is 6.1 capable then you can listen to the sound formats of Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES which is what I want. What confuses me is that there are now 5.1 recievers that have Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES decoders. For example in the new Sony catalogue the STR-DE695 is described as having both sound formats but is only a 5 X 120W reciever. the EX and ES formats are supposed to be for a sixth speaker right? so how can a reciever that only has 5.1 channels truelly decode EX and ES???? The Sony 1080 on the other hand is quoted as having 6x 100 W output and this is what I would expect from a reciever that claims to output EX and ES. Would someone please explain this to me because maybe im getting confused, and it will also aid my purchasing decision. Surely you need a 6.1 reciever like the 1080 to produce the EX and ES sound formats?? So why are they advertising a 5.1 amp as having the decoders. Thanks

29-05-2003, 14:52	#4
PAUL SPRIGGS New Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2	TECHNICAL QUERIES SORRY IF IM STATING THE OBVIOUS HERE BUT WHY DO YOU WHO HAVE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS (WHAT IS DPL2 , WHAT IS 6.1 ,WHAT PLASMA DO I BUY ETC ETC) NOT VISIT A SPECIALIST AV RETAILER ? THESE GUYS CAN EXPLAIN AND DEMONSTRATE THE SORT OF GEAR YOU ARE INTERESTED IN . (BY SPECIALIST AV I DO NOT NECESSARILY MEAN CURRYS , COMET , RICHER SOUNDS ETC , BUT THERE MUST BE INDEPENDENTS IN YOUR AREA). JUST A THOUGHT WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

21-05-2003, 08:47	#2
comicsansserif Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: In front of my computer! Posts: 2,865	The 5.1er's that do ES and EX produce a "phantom center rear" by decoding the 6.1 channels correctly and then apply then "adding" the center rear sounds to the rear left and right channels. This is really no different to the way these AV amps can produce a "phantom" center forward by using just left and right front speakers. The sound made in this way will contain all the sounds recorded and should be better than 5.1 alone, but it will not be quite as direction as true 6.1 output.

25-05-2003, 12:49	#3
Matt F Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 42	Any 5.1 DD/DTS amp/receiver/processor will replay the EX/ES soundtrack because it is "matrixed" in with the normal rear left/right soundtracks - what they won't do,of course, is play it through a separate "surround back" channel. I can see no benefit in being able to extract the matrixed surround back channel if you can only play it back through the normal left/right rear speakers - after all, that is what any 5.1 Dd/DTS decoder will do anyway (see paragraph above). The only exception is DTS-ES discrete which is a totally separate (non matrixed) channel - only a DTS-ES discrete decoder will pick this up. Having said that, I understand that all DVDs with a DTS-ES discrete channel also have a normal DTS-ES matrixed soundtrack so you won't miss out either way. Matt.

29-05-2003, 15:00	#5
davep Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 1,107	WELL FIRST OF ALL: DON'T SHOUT! Secondly, not everyone is lucky enough to have a helpful specialist retailer in their town. If they do, they probably can't aford the prices these people charge and they just may have a conscience when it come to taking the time of the specialist and then buying from the web! Finally, I thought we were all here to help as well as be helped! DaveP

30-05-2003, 13:21	#6
PAUL SPRIGGS New Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2	sorry guys : didnt mean to shout(didnt realise caps lock on : honest!)

01-06-2003, 17:31	#7
Nikhil Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Devon/London Posts: 963	I've got the Sony 1080 at home and can highly recommend it to anyone. Apparently in the summer Sony are going to upgrade this amp again (minor upgrade) so it may be worth holding out for a bit cos u'll get it cheaper soon. I have only connected 5 speakers at the moment and matrixed the rear centre into the rear side speakers. The home cinema sound is superb with DD-EX and DTS-ES sounding amazing. Its well worht investing in one of these, especially cos u can then add a speaker in the future if you so desire!!

DS Forums

6.1 AV Reciever Question