Darryl,
Quote:
First let's get the nomenclature correct: there is no "DD ES" mode. There's DD EX, DTS ES and THX Surround EX decoding (can be used with DD EX and DTS ES titles).
Quote:
There are no "THX Surround ES titles". THX Surround EX is the name of a decoder, which is used to extract the surround-back channel from EX and ES encoded movies. There could be a couple of reasons why your receiver switches surround modes when you go from the menu to the actual movie: either a flag in the DVD is triggering a different surround mode and/or your receiver's Auto Surround Mode is switching to the last mode you used.
Quote:
You are correct: PLIIx is Pro Logic IIx. It is Dolby's latest surround processing technology, which converts 2-channel and 5.1-channel material into 7 independent channels. EX/ES decoding is intended to be used with EX/ES encoded material and results in 3 surround channels (surround-left, surround-right, surround-back). PLIIx can be used with all sources and results in 4 surround channels (stereo sides and stereo rears). Personally, I would use PLIIx with all 5.1 sources (EX/ES encoded or not) as well as all 2-channel sources (movies and music, especially you like music in surround).
Quote:
Sounds like you have a 7.1-speaker set-up rather than 6.1. If so, you should place your side speakers directly to the sides of the listening area (this will give you good rear vs side separation in the surround field). Also, the rear speakers should be well separated behind you in order to appreciate the stereo-rear effect of PLIIx.
Best,
Sanjay
Quote:
I am unclear about whether my receiver is in DD ES mode or not. |
Quote:
When playing THX Surround ES titles, when on the DVD menus, the receiver display shows Dolby Digital ES. When actually in the movie, it shows Dolby D + PLiix C. Why did it switch from DD ES? |
Quote:
What is PLiix..ProLogic IIx? Sounds inferior to DD 5.1 |
Quote:
BTW, I do have 6.1 speakers (Surround L/R plus 2 Surround Back). |
Best,
Sanjay