Dolby Pro Logic or THX or NEO:Cinema ...

[Jib Carrib]

I'm new but I've had probably 4 different AVRs in the last several years and every time I watch a movie I go through the sound field selections and eventually settle on one, but am unclear on what is best (aside from what my ears tell me). Each manual describes the different sound field, but I'm just not sure. It seems different AVRs have different sound field setups and I'm just wondering if anyone has opinions on what AVR has the best sound fields for movies? I may replace my Denon if there is something better (within budget, sub $700 range) wrt movie playback. Not a total loss because I need to purchase an AVR for the living room, so I might upgrade my Denon unless you say no. I'm like a baby fawn here.

Denon AVR-S900w
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 mains and center, CBM-170's for surround, LV12R sub
Used for: 95% of the time watching movies, 3% listening to music, 2% fighting to get more time in my room alone.

 

[markw]

DPL and Neo are used for taking two channel information and getting "something" to come out of all speakers,. Not sure about THX.


For movies, you will use either Dolby Digital or DTS (whichever they were recorded in) or one of their hi-rez formats, all of which are made for multi-channel sources.

 

[Jib Carrib]

Thanks markw - So when you throw a disc in or stream a movie, do you check to see what it was recorded in first and make the appropriate selection or just start it and then adjust to what you like to hear?

 

[markw]

Most AVR's have an "auto" function and default to whichever is on the disc being played. DVDs are usually DD, Blu-ray are geneally DTS. Check your manual when you get your AVR for more details on this.