Dave,
Quote:
My pre/pro will let me set it to both "DTS" and "EX" (for center surround). Would having a DTS "ES" setup on my receiver give me a different playback than if set in the "EX" mode? |
First things first: it's not a "centre surround" or "centre rear" channel; it's the "surround-back" channel. If you check the THX, DTS and Dolby sites you'll notice that they never use the word "centre" (because those sounds are supposed to image behind you, NOT in the middle of the back wall).
With some extremely minor differences, EX and ES decoding use the same principles. If your pre-pro will let you apply EX decoding to DTS sources, then it should sound fine.
Most current ES decoders allow the decoding of ES (matrix)
and the newer ES Discrete 6.1 format (used, for example, on the
'Gladiator' DVD you mentioned). DTS ES 6.1, with its discrete surround-back channel, is marketed as sounding superior to standard ES (which has a matrixed surround-back channel, like EX). However, in my experience, the difference between DTS's discrete and matrixed surround-back channels is negligible.
So, since your processor has the ability to apply EX deciding to 5.1 DD and DTS sources, I wouldn't bother upgrading just to get official ES decoding.
Best,
Sanjay