Surround Sound question

Hey guys -

I've been curious about surround sound formats and I'm a little confused. Using a blu-ray player and a Yamaha 6.1 receiver (with all necessary speaker connections to allow 6.1 sound), I've noticed that the vast majority of movies do NOT allow more than 5.1 surround sound! In fact, there are a very select few titles that allow this.

So why are so many companies selling 6.1, 7.1, 7.2 and even 11.2 receivers? What good is it to have a receiver if the movie doesn't support it?

Hardware I'm using:
Samsung BD-P1600 (updated firmware)
Yamaha RXV-730
two front speakers, two surround speakers, center front channel, center rear channel, and subwoofer

I'd appreciate any comments, and if I need to link to some of the information I've read about sound formats, I'd be happy to do so.

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What good is it to have a receiver if the movie doesn't support it?

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I think the general idea of owning one is to be forward compatible for a time (if and when) those multi channel formats will be more common.

The general idea of selling them is to have as many bells and whistles available to prospective customers as an incentive to buy the receiver even if the format isn't commonly available (and either may not be to any great degree or won't be for some time)

A bit of a crap shoot but on the plus side the receivers aren't necessary much more expensive than standard 5.1's.

On the minus side it you may never be able to take full advantage
of all the channels. Also on the minus side there's always the possibility of completely new technology on the horizon rendering
current tech obsolete (although I'm not specifically aware of any pending.. this is just how it often works).

Depending on the receiver you are using, you can usually use the receiver to listen to any program, stereo to 7.1 etc. as 7.1. Read the manual for your receiver, you can probably do this. It is usually called 7 channel stereo/surround or something similar. I listen to all my music, movies etc. in 7.1 as that is what I like. :)

I should add that for my media pc, I use 7 channel analog input on my receiver, from the sound card software outputting 7.1 from the sound card.

For the OP, make that 6.1 instead of 7.1

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Originally Posted by cdroman

For the OP, make that 6.1 instead of 7.1

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Thanks for your feedback.
The trouble I'm having is that my receiver doesn't output the signal to the rear center channel unless a movie is truly 6.1 compliant. And even then, I'm struggling to get it to work.

I've been hesitant to spend the money on another receiver, as I like the features and the setup of my Yamaha other than the fact that I've currently got a doorstop for a 6th channel. Its rare to find a DVD (or even a BluRay) that supports it.

Taking a quick look at the spec sheet for your receiver; if you try Movie Theater 1, Movie Theater 2, or Entertainment DSP modes, does it then output to the back center speaker? It says that it is quad field cinema capable (6.1 capable) with those settings.

I've tried every setting recommended by Yamaha, and have yet to hear sound out of the rear center channel unless I'm using 6 channel sound (and that's NOT surround sound, that outputs the same signal to each speaker).

I've checked to verify everything was connected properly. I've run the audio test (where the signal goes around in a repeating circular pattern) and I DO get signal at that point.

Guess it depends on what you like. Actual surround sound isn't important to me, as long as I like the way 7.1 sounds. If you don't care for 6 channel sound, then it looks like you are sol in most cases, in which case it does you no good to fret about it. :)

But that still doesn't explain why they market anything over 5.1 as being special. Shoot, on my old 2.0 system, I could add as many speakers and place them in a circle around me. That would give me the same effect as what you receive (based on the way I understand you have setup your sound).

Me personally, I'm trying to achieve that movie theater effect, where you hear a distinct noise behind you when something is behind you on screen.

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Originally Posted by jslater25

But that still doesn't explain why they market anything over 5.1 as being special. Shoot, on my old 2.0 system, I could add as many speakers and place them in a circle around me. That would give me the same effect as what you receive (based on the way I understand you have setup your sound).

Me personally, I'm trying to achieve that movie theater effect, where you hear a distinct noise behind you when something is behind you on screen.

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There is not much interest in good sound or true surround sound; most people just buy a pos sub woofer that makes boomy noises, and they are happy. I usually listen to movies in Neo6 (7.1) and it sounds decent enough. For music in 7.1 I listen via software for my sound card that steers sound to the different channels via 7.1 analog out put. The way I have it set up via the various controls available; I get very good sound with a great deal of resolution. My kids (over 20) love the way it sounds. Other peoples systems do sound pretty drab in most cases. Again it is a personal choice. What I like, the next person may not like. :)

If you scroll down to the 7.1 setup in this link, it is virtually identical to the layout of my room. The 4 surrounds are 6' off the floor, and my sub is in a different location.

http://en.kioskea.net/contents/audio...l-5-1-7-1.php3

I own a 7.1 receiver, and I've owned 5.1 receivers.

The true difference between them, which everyone knows, is that instead of just front and side with 5.1, you get front, side, and BACK with 7.1.

Few movies (Blu-Ray or DVD) take advantage of the extra 2 channels, but there are a few very good reasons to go with 7.1 over 5.1:

1) Any decent 7.1 receiver can utilize "multi-zone" speaker arrangement. That means you can be watching TV and getting 5.1, while your wife in the kitchen is listening to her mp3 player in stereo, all from the same unit.

2) EVENTUALLY new movies will come around to the 7.1 format now available, so you are ahead of the game.

3) Any decent 7.1 receiver can basically "fake" 7.1 from a 5.1 source, like HD cable channels or DVD's (even stereo radio). Mine can, and the difference is QUITE impressive.

4) Plenty of computer games seem to be in the 7.1 format, which a 5.1 system is not gonna be able to get the most out of.

5) The price difference between a 5.1 and 7.1 receiver made by the same company, with the same basic set of features, is quite small for what you get in return.


I spent 5 months carefully researching and choosing my receiver, and I couldn't be happier with my choice.

It may have a drawback here or there, but the overall effect of watching the SuperBowl with 960 watts of cheering fans, or playing Crysis with 7 big speakers and a thumping subwoofer can't really be described to someone that uses the standard 10 watt speaker(s) that come with their TV.

I can shake my house, I can hear my fav radio station 300 feet away, and when I sit in a dark room and play a game, it's as real as it gets without actually being shot at.

7.1 is worth the extra few dollars.


IMPORTANT TIPS:

Speakers should be matched side to side, but front, side and rear don't have to be all the same brand or same size (you can save some money with what you already have, but see below).

ALL SPEAKERS MUST BE OF THE SAME IMPEDANCE!!!! You'll cook a receiver in minutes if you try using 4 ohm fronts, 3 ohm surround, and 8 ohm rear surround. I cannot stress this enough!!! Speakers don't have to match each other, but your receiver can only use speakers of a single ohm number. All speakers should have the ohm number on the back. 3, 4, 6, 8, etc. But ALL NUMBERS MUST MATCH!!!

Good luck and have fun.

(I can post my theater specs for those interested).

Negative -

THanks for the update.

I've continued searching for decent movies with good surround sound (more than just the basic 5.1 setups) and have continued to be disappointed.

My current receiver is capable of playing multi-zone as well, although the house I'm in is not ideal for that (kitchen, dining room and living room are all open).

I am hesitant to spend any extra cash on a system that seems pointless. And considering I have the 6.1 speakers but cannot get 6.1 surround from movies, I really wish I had not bothered spending the cash on that middle rear channel speaker.

You're comments are good, and I know others will benefit from it. Thanks for the post and the information!

Anything I can do to help, I'll do.