Surround Sound Format questions

[jpzsports]

Hi,

I have some questions about when to use what Surround Sound Format.

My Receiver has the following Surround sound programs: Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 and DTS Neo 6


When I watch a Stereo TV show, which should I use?:

Use Stereo and hear it on all 6 speakers

Use Dolby Pro Logic II

DTS Neo:6

am I missing something? (something else)


When I watch a 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound show:

use 5.1 Dolby Digital and just not use the 6th speaker

(Also, if I push the Dolby Digital button again, it somehow makes it 6 channels - how does it do this)

use Dolby Digital EX

use DTS-ES (is it even possible?)

am I missing something? (something else)


Thanks

I forgot to mention something -

All the TV channels that aren't in HD, still have Dolby Digital - it says DD. The HD channels say DD 5.1. (BTW - I have digital cable). So, does this make a difference as far as what Surround Sound Format I should use? Because it's more than just stereo, it's DD - but is it still just a type of stereo?. So what is regular DD (compared to DD 5.1 and compared to Stereo) and should I use a different type of surround for it?

Thanks

Also - like I said, the regular TV channels have DD, which I assume is still a type of stereo. - So, should I use Dolby Pro Logic II or would DTS Neo:6 be better for those non-5.1 shows?
I would think DTS Neo:6 would seem to be better because it would use all 6 speakers instead of the 5 from PLII ( and since I don't have PLIIx). But, one thing that I saw was this:

One website said:
Dolby Pro Logic II is recommended for stereo and Dolby Surround-encoded VHS movies and broadcast TV programs

DTS Neo:6 is recommended for stereo VHS movies and broadcast TV programs


I noticed that DTS doesn't mention Dolby Surround broadcasts. Is that what I'm getting like I mentioned above with the DD? In that case, would it be better for me to use PLII since it knows how to use Dolby Surround better?


THANKS

BTW - regarding the 5.1 broadcasts - I tried Dolby Digital EX but it sounded worse. It took away some sound from the back left and right to help give it to the rear center surround. Should I just stick with 5.1 or am I doing something wrong?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi,

I have some questions about when to use what Surround Sound Format.

My Receiver has the following Surround sound programs: Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 and DTS Neo 6


When I watch a Stereo TV show, which should I use?:

Use Stereo and hear it on all 6 speakers


Use Dolby Pro Logic II

DTS Neo:6

am I missing something? (something else)


When I watch a 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound show:

use 5.1 Dolby Digital and just not use the 6th speaker

(Also, if I push the Dolby Digital button again, it somehow makes it 6 channels - how does it do this)

use Dolby Digital EX

use DTS-ES (is it even possible?)

am I missing something? (something else)


Thanks

I forgot to mention something -

All the TV channels that aren't in HD, still have Dolby Digital - it says DD. The HD channels say DD 5.1. (BTW - I have digital cable). So, does this make a difference as far as what Surround Sound Format I should use? Because it's more than just stereo, it's DD - but is it still just a type of stereo?. So what is regular DD (compared to DD 5.1 and compared to Stereo) and should I use a different type of surround for it?

Thanks

Also - like I said, the regular TV channels have DD, which I assume is still a type of stereo. - So, should I use Dolby Pro Logic II or would DTS Neo:6 be better for those non-5.1 shows?
I would think DTS Neo:6 would seem to be better because it would use all 6 speakers instead of the 5 from PLII ( and since I don't have PLIIx). But, one thing that I saw was this:

One website said:
Dolby Pro Logic II is recommended for stereo and Dolby Surround-encoded VHS movies and broadcast TV programs

DTS Neo:6 is recommended for stereo VHS movies and broadcast TV programs


I noticed that DTS doesn't mention Dolby Surround broadcasts. Is that what I'm getting like I mentioned above with the DD? In that case, would it be better for me to use PLII since it knows how to use Dolby Surround better?


THANKS

BTW - regarding the 5.1 broadcasts - I tried Dolby Digital EX but it sounded worse. It took away some sound from the back left and right to help give it to the rear center surround. Should I just stick with 5.1 or am I doing something wrong?

Your best options are to a watch in two channel stereo or Dolby PL II

 

[MDS]

The best option is the one that sounds the best to you.

Programs on digital cable that say DD could be DD 1.0 (rarely), DD 2.0, or DD 5.1. If it is DD 5.1, the receiver will automatically choose the DD decoder but you can change it to use DD-EX to utilise the surround back speaker.

If the signal is DD 2.0 the receiver would automatically choose Stereo but again you can change it. Most receivers will remember your last setting so you don't have to change the surround mode every time.

I use PLII Music mode for everything. If the broadcast is DD 5.1 the normal DD decoder is used. If it is DD 2.0 or PCM or Analog, the PLII decoder is used to turn it into 5.1.

 

[jpzsports]

The best option is the one that sounds the best to you.

Programs on digital cable that say DD could be DD 1.0 (rarely), DD 2.0, or DD 5.1. If it is DD 5.1, the receiver will automatically choose the DD decoder but you can change it to use DD-EX to utilise the surround back speaker.

If the signal is DD 2.0 the receiver would automatically choose Stereo but again you can change it. Most receivers will remember your last setting so you don't have to change the surround mode every time.

I use PLII Music mode for everything. If the broadcast is DD 5.1 the normal DD decoder is used. If it is DD 2.0 or PCM or Analog, the PLII decoder is used to turn it into 5.1.

ok, thanks

What's the difference between PLII Music Mode and Movie mode? And why do you like Music Mode more?

 

[TLS Guy]

ok, thanks

What's the difference between PLII Music Mode and Movie mode? And why do you like Music Mode more?

The movie Cinema modes, have an Eq, that makes program material forward and shouty. Most Cinema sound is not something to be emulated.

 

[MDS]

Movie mode is not adjustable and forces more content to the center which is why TLS Guy says it sounds forward and shouty (and I mostly agree). Music mode has three adjustable parameters: Center Width, Dimension, and Panorama.

- Center Width alters the spread between center and front speakers. I usually leave mine at 4 which spreads the center content just a bit to the front speakers, creating a slightly wider sound stage.

- Dimension moves the sound field forward or backwards so if your center channel is a bit behind the fronts because it is in a cabinet you can move the sound field forward in an attempt to make the sound more even across the front sound stage. I move it forward one notch.

- Panorama sends some of the front channel content to the surrounds, supposedly to make it sound more enveloping. It's a mixed bag for me and I usually just leave it off.

 

[TLS Guy]

Movie mode is not adjustable and forces more content to the center which is why TLS Guy says it sounds forward and shouty (and I mostly agree). Music mode has three adjustable parameters: Center Width, Dimension, and Panorama.

- Center Width alters the spread between center and front speakers. I usually leave mine at 4 which spreads the center content just a bit to the front speakers, creating a slightly wider sound stage.

- Dimension moves the sound field forward or backwards so if your center channel is a bit behind the fronts because it is in a cabinet you can move the sound field forward in an attempt to make the sound more even across the front sound stage. I move it forward one notch.

- Panorama sends some of the front channel content to the surrounds, supposedly to make it sound more enveloping. It's a mixed bag for me and I usually just leave it off.

That is very interesting. I have played with those settings, but in my rig nothing sounds better than leaving the channels discrete. I don't spread any center to the the left and right fronts. If I do it sounds to me as if instruments are far too wide. Paradoxically the sound stage seems wider and deeper with a more believable perspective, without the channels blended. I don't use panorama or depth. The speakers are installed and aligned so that there wave fronts arrive in a coincident fashion in the best listening spot. I call it the rooms acoustic center.

It would be interesting to see what other members do.

 

[MDS]

I agree TLS Guy, it's all kind of subjective. I just feel that the slightly wider feel gained by adjusting the center width is worth it to me. At least the Music mode allows you to tweak; as you said you get what you get with the Movie mode and you cannot alter it.

I've also played with the various 'Onkyo Original DSP' modes and for the most part they just sound 'different' but not 'better' to me. I'm a purist in the sense that PLII Music works for me for the vast majority of cases and I just leave it.

 

[jpzsports]

Movie mode is not adjustable and forces more content to the center which is why TLS Guy says it sounds forward and shouty (and I mostly agree). Music mode has three adjustable parameters: Center Width, Dimension, and Panorama.

- Center Width alters the spread between center and front speakers. I usually leave mine at 4 which spreads the center content just a bit to the front speakers, creating a slightly wider sound stage.

- Dimension moves the sound field forward or backwards so if your center channel is a bit behind the fronts because it is in a cabinet you can move the sound field forward in an attempt to make the sound more even across the front sound stage. I move it forward one notch.

- Panorama sends some of the front channel content to the surrounds, supposedly to make it sound more enveloping. It's a mixed bag for me and I usually just leave it off.

Thanks for all the advice.

Do all AV Receivers have these adjustable parameters or just high end ones? I have to check mine, but I'm not sure if it has those options.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for all the advice.

Do all AV Receivers have these adjustable parameters or just high end ones? I have to check mine, but I'm not sure if it has those options.

If they have PL 2 music or PL 2x music I think they should, but I'm by no means certain. Dolby are usually regimental in demanding uniformity in their systems. My Rotel preamp has it. These settings are in a sub menu of PL 2x music in mine.