Folks, I apologize for doing this. This is actually a non-HDTV question, but I don’t know where else to ask it. Also, as I have had an HDTV in past (and will again in about two months)…I have used this forum before. The knowledge of the members in this area is incredible and I am sure that someone can answer my question.

I am received SD content via DISH. I have my home theater equipment set up awaiting my replacement plasma. My receiver is hooked up to the DISH box via Toslink. I receive DD 2.0 or 5.1 on some HBO programming. This great and I’m happy for that much anyway. However, is it not possible to get the DD signal on sporting events through an SD signal on channels such as ESPN/ESPN2 or locals? Are there any times where I can get a DD 5.1 signal from something other than the premium movie channels? Or is this a lost cause until I get the new plasma?

Thank you for your help…and again…sorry for putting this here.

All of the HD channels from Dish has DD5.1 sound, while only a handful of SD premium channels do.

So you would have to get a HD receiver from Dish and subscribe to those HD channels, and of course hook up your toslink to the new HD receiver. But you will will only get DD5.1 on the channels that provide it (HD and some premiums) none of the other SD channels will get DD5.1 beyond what you get today.

If you go to www.dishchannelchart.com they list which Dish channels are DD5.1.

All of the HD channels from Dish has DD5.1 sound, while only a handful of SD premium channels do.

Not entirely true. NFLHD, for instance (the HD NFL Network) only does DD2.0 on the HD channel. I'd have to check, but I believe there is at least one, possibly 2, other channels that are HD but only do 2.0 sound.

Also some of the OTA networks (CBS for instance) do not always do 2.0 in their HD. Late Show w/ David Letterman, for instance is HD but only in 2.0 sound.

All the HD channels are Dolby Digital, but not all of them are 5.1 surround sound.

Also some of the OTA networks (CBS for instance) do not always do 2.0 in their HD. Late Show w/ David Letterman, for instance is HD but only in 2.0 sound.None of the HD late night shows are in 5.1. NBC flags all shows as 5.1 including the 2.0 ones. Fox synthesizes 2.0 shows to 5.1.

ok ok, now you guys are nit picking. If the guys considers HBO-SD to be DD5.1 because it has DD some of the time, then that's good enough for me.

Ok so all of the HDTV channels are DD5.1 capable with the possible exception of the NFL-HD channel which may or may not have DD5.1. I'll hold out until they are showing a live in-season game before calling them DD2.0 only.

I could also see HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD being DD2.0 only also. I mean why have DD5.1 for those networks? Need a LFE for stiring soup or rear channels for the hammers in next room?

But trying to address the original poster's spirit of his post. He likes DD5.1 and wants more of it. HD will give him that in spades. I remember it was a big deal when I was SD only, once I got HD and most of my locals went DD5.1, I lost track of thinking about it. I just expect it to be there.

I wasn't complaining... there are lots of times when DD 2.0 is sufficient, and DD5.1 wouldn't enhance the experience significantly.

I also was avoiding the argument that not all 5.1 is actually 5.1, since those are murky waters.

I was limiting the scope of my reply just to the stations that never light up my 5.1 indicator. NFLHD never does, and I know there are a couple of others that I can't recall right at the moment.

Nothing wrong with a good DD2.0 track though, especially for programming that isn't aliens flying in outer space shooting lasers where surround sound can mean something.

ESPN is not discreet 5.1, although it sends a 5.1 signal. They use SRS Circle Surround at the sources to encode. It's not bad, but......

Some locals also don't always pass the network 5.1 audio.

My local CBS station is 2.0 all the time. The NBC affiliate was the same way up until a couple of weeks back--now running "5.1" all the time. Fresno ABC and FOX stations have been 5.1 for some time. ABC is always flagged as such, FOX goes from 2.0 to 5.1 when FOX HD programming comes on.

Only way I get the original HD CSI in 5.1 is via Comcast OnDemand. Plus, no real commercials!

My local NBC is the only local station that never does 5.1. It's also happens to be the only one that stretches SD programs.