[sdurani]

Joel,


One of the soundtrack choices on the 'Gladiator' DVD is DTS ES Discrete 6.1 (yes, that long thing is the official name of the format). This format has 6.1 discrete channels: Left, Centre, Right, LFE, Surround-Left, Surround-Right and Surround-Back. That's where the "6.1" comes from.


Since you've set up your Yamaha for 5.1 playback, the discrete surround-back channel is ignored. Don't worry, you're not missing out on any surround content. The information in the surround-back channel also exists in the left & right surround channels (to be backwards compatible with 5.1 systems).


If you did have a 6.1 or 7.1 speaker set-up, the surround-back information would be cancelled from the left & right surrounds and only be heard from the discrete surround-back channel. This cancellation step avoids duplicate sounds from being heard behind you and at your sides.


Best,

Sanjay

 

[sdurani]

Joel,
Quote:

So if I get another speaker for the middle rear, I can run 6.1 with my receiver?

I don't know. Does your receiver accomodate more than 5 speakers (i.e., does it have more than 5 channels of amplification)? Or does it have line-level connections (pre-amp outputs) for the surround-back channel? If so, then you can add more speakers.


BTW, personally I'd go with 2 surround-back speakers instead of a single one. A single rear speaker can be problematic as far as proper imaging goes. Also, the sound is supposed to be spread out on the wall behind you, not image from the 'middle' of the rear wall. If you look at Dolby, DTS and THX literature on the subject, you'll notice that they all refer to it as the "surround-back" channel, NOT a "middle rear" channel.


Best,

Sanjay