Help: Should i use LPCM or DD/DTS in 2.1 setup?

[dack]

Hi again

i am converting my stereo set into HT with a sub and HT receiver.
Which should i hook up my dvd player?

A) red/white analog cable + sub cable and let my reciever do bass management?

B) optical cable and send DD/DTS to reciever which downmix 5.1 to 2.1?

C) optical cable but choose LPCM and reciever do bass management?

Which is best HT sq?

Is it DD/DTS are compressed signals so LPCM is better?
but LPCM is only 2.0 in stereo for DVD?
analog LPCM i hear is freq limited?

Thanks.

 

[j_garcia]

You got it - LPCM from SD DVDs is stereo only, so that is not what you want. LPCM is not frequency limited, it is essentially what all CDs are encoded with and IS actually capable of 7.1 sound, however SD DVDs are not encoded with that information; only BluRay and HD DVD and only via HDMI.

With an HT receiver you want to leave the digital set to bitstream and simply configure the receiver for 2.1 - tell it center = none, surrounds = none, and it will work just fine. I did this before in my bedroom and it does surprisingly well. No sound from the unused channels is missing.

 

[mark4mich]

Adding to this. I am moving my Denon 2802 from my main system to a small system (upgraded to the Yamaha 2700 for my main). Will be no surround speakers in the small system. Would I be better off just using 2 channel or adding the center? I do have the matching center channel speaker already. For music I listen in stereo, but for movies and HDTV am I better off with a center, even without rear surrounds, and if so, how do I setup the receiver?

 

[MDS]

Yes, I think having a center channel would be better for movies. When you setup the receiver you tell it which speakers are attached so it is no problem to have left, right, center and no surrounds.

 

[mark4mich]

Yes, I think having a center channel would be better for movies. When you setup the receiver you tell it which speakers are attached so it is no problem to have left, right, center and no surrounds.

So I would not lose any information that would normally go to the surround speakers?

 

[MDS]

No, the surround channels get mixed down into the front channels the same as when you don't have a center channel or when you play DD 5.1 in stereo mode.

 

[j_garcia]

In my little setup I used it with and without a center. It was louder with the center, but in a smaller room it also sort of blended them together a bit too much due to lack of positioning choices. If you have the room to properly position the speakers I think a center will help, but I ended up removing the center to get a bit more separation between the R&L.