I have looked at the web sites for dolby digital and dts and got there lists of movies that are in 6.1. Dolby has a long list of DVDs that are in dolby digital es which they say is 6.1 but most of them that I have checked are not. The list DTS gives seems more acurate but some are not. Here are the DVDs that I have found so far that are in true 6.1. Terminator 2 the ultimate edition, both lord of the ring dvds, Pirates of the caribbean, Finding nemo, Harry potter and the chamber of secrets, Gladitor, and Blade II. Does anyone else have DVDs that can be added to this list. Thanks for your help Cope

There are 2 types at dts.com, discrete and matrixed. All Dolby's are matrixed. I haven't noticed any discrepancies in their lists. Are you sure you looked at the right versions of these discs? If you are simply looking at the back of boxes, the Dolby ones will say "5.1", which is accurate, but they will also say Digital-EX if there is matrixed 6th channel encoding.

I find that plenty of 5.1 movies also sound decent converted to 6.1 by my receiver, just like stereo sources can sound good converted with Pro Logic or similar.

FYI, it is DTS-ES and Dolby Digital-EX.

Spiky Thanks for your feedback. I know of Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES. Both dolby and dts have a list of movies on their web site that are in 6.1 but most of the ones I have checked are not, X Men, Pitch Black, Bone Colector, The Ring, A I, and both Star Wars movies for example. Im trying to get a list of DVDs that are in 6.1 that will send a signal to the back center speaker with out having to use the enhanced mode on my av reciever, is all that does is take a blend of the back R and L speakers and send it to the center which sounds ok but I would like more movies that have a direct signal to that speaker. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.---Cope---

To be fair, a matrixed rear-center channel is much more than "a blend of the back R and L speakers", and can approach discrete channels in separation. Matrix decoding of a rear channel is the same as the steering with a DPL decoder in 3-channel mode.

In fact, I use exactly that setup to extract a rear channel in my system; a second decoder which I feed the left and right surround channels from my pre/pro, and outputs left, center, and right to separate anp channels.

I am curious: how have you determined you are not getting a rear channel?

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Larry My av reciever is a Panasonic SA-XR25. It shows what input it is recieving and what speakers are getting a signal. I have found quite a few DVDs that are in Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES but only a few of them have a seperate signal for the back center speaker. ---Cope---

Ok, I think you're missing something. I've got XMen and Star Wars...they are all 6.1 matrixed. Note that matrixed means the 6th channel signal is embedded in channels 4, 5. Skip to the last paragraph if you won't accept this.

There is an issue with Dolby-EX. You often have to turn it on manually, perhaps you need to try that. This is due to Dolby being so slow to put out the codec for receiver and DVD mfgrs to use. It ended up a big ol' mess. I now play with every matrixed or 5.1 movie. The only ones I let go with auto are the DTS discrete movies.

Ex: There is a huge difference in the opening explosion scene in Star Wars 2. When the flames go straight over the viewer, the 6th channel is very different from the side surrounds.

If you are simply looking for discrete only, notice what I said in my first post. Dolby does not have a discrete 6.1 format. Only DTS does, and only some movies, which are pinpointed on the list at their site. Read it carefully.

Spiky its clear you know more about this than me. I guss what im trying to find out is why some Dolby Digital EX DVDs send a seperate signal to the back center speaker and some do not. For example The Terminator special edition and T2 the ultimate edition both are in EX. when playing T1 the light on my av reciever that shows a seperate signal is going to the B/C speaker does not lite and when playing T2 it does and I have not changed any settings. What do you think? Also I have a new question (looks like im full of them) I have noticed when playing some DVDs they are in DTS NEO:6 what can you tell me about this? ---cope---

Well...it's a long story. I'll try to hit some key points.

First, know that DVDs have software flags for various things to tell receivers/players how to decode the information. One of these flags is for EX/ES to turn on the 6th channel in a matrixed 6.1 recording.

Now, Dolby made too many changes to the DD-EX software over the last few years and receiver mfgrs couldn't stop to wait for the final, bug-free version. So, some receivers have something called THX-EX, which is basically Dolby's early EX software under THX's badge. (they are partners in many things) Other, newer receivers have the actual Dolby DD-EX.

Some discs were put out with an early version of DD-EX encoded on them (Star Wars Ep1 for example), but the receivers couldn't read the DD-EX flags because of a software incompatibility. Eventually, they finallized their software and started putting it on all new discs with 6.1. But due to some incompatibility issues, they never really got it straightened out with those original discs.

So you have some discs where the players/receivers can't read the flags for the 6th channel and you must turn it on manually. I know I have this issue as I have an older receiver with THX-EX only. I assume this is the problem you are noticing, also.




DTS Neo:6 is their software similar to Dolby Pro Logic II for making 5.1 out of 2 channel sources. If you have a DTS stereo source, your receiver will probably default to DTS Neo:6 as the surround mode.

I found another movie in 6.1 Its Final Destination 2 in DTS ES 6.1 The crash seen will take your breath. Has anyone else found any more DVDs in 6.1 thanks for your help---cope---

[Link: hometheaterforum.com]

This drives me nuts. It is dts, lower case, but DTS-ES ?


Since there is no actual sixth channel on the disc, wouldn't a disc intended to give a really strong rear center simply "take a blend of the back R and L...?" That's what ProLogic did for the front center, and that is why we prefer discrete digital whenEVER possible!

I have a Panasonic AV control Receiver model SA-XR25. The receiver indicates which speakers are geting a direct signal. Im looking for movies that have a seperate signal for the back center speaker. Not all DVDs in dts-es or Dolby Digital EX do this.

Sort of. Keep in mind the capability of DLPII is much better than DPL. This is the system that is used to encode and decode the 6th channel of DD-EX recordings, and DTS's Neo6 isn't far behind in capability. Also keep in mind that recordings created specifically to have the 6th channel matrixed will sound better than simply taking a 5.1 recording and allowing your receiver to process a 6th channel.

It really varies from movie to movie, in my experience, at least for 5.1 recordings. Just try what you like if you have 6.1 capability. I will say I've never preferred an EX or ES recording in 5.1, regardless of matrix vs discrete.

This message was edited by Spiky on 03/15/04 12:32.

If it makes things easier, you'll be pleased to know that G50AE is always spelled in capitals.

If we would be more pleased if you don't post inane stuff like this, will you stop?