6.1, 7.1? Where's the data coming from?

[GilesGuthrie]

I've got a 5.1 Dolby Digital/DTS setup at home, but you can now get 6 and even 7 channels. So where's the data coming from for the extra two channels? I know that the 6th channel is "Centre Rear", but what's the 7th? And do these simply stay mute when you're playing a 5.1 DVD, or is it 'fudged' in some way like Dolby Surround was?

Tell me about the new channels please!

 

[boombexus]

I didn't think that there was a 7.1. I thought it went to 8.1 so that you had a center right and left.

 

[risingson77]

Interpolation, usually. The only exception to this DTS ES, which has six truly discrete channels plus LFE. THX EX (there are also "generic" 6.1 schemes) simply take the mono information from the rears channels and send it to a rear center. 7.1 makes a stereo version so you have a side pair and a rear pair.

Honestly, there's very little reason to get excited about it unless you have an extraordinarily large room.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I think anything over 5.1 is just plain stupid. I listened to a 6.1 surround system a year ago, and I couldn't stand it. The sound coming directly behind you doesn't sound natural to me. It was really annoying. Besides, were am I going to put that 6th speaker? My couch is up against the wall! And there is no way I am going to a 6th speaker THAT close to me, especially one that already annoys me.

I don't know what I am going to do in the future. What happens if they don't make 5.1 anymore?

Why can't they just leave well enough alone!

 

[risingson77]

Why? Look at a catalog of surround receivers. There are hundreds of surround receivers. Basically, they need a way to stand out from the other receivers. More channels, more surround modes, what have you. It's hard to sell sound quality from a catalog (or even from many showroom floors). So you add more features and promote them as necessities. Other manufacturers will quickly follow suit.

I'd wager that the system you heard was not well set up. Any receiver worth its salt will have independent channel volume adjustments to compensate for speakers of different sensitivities and proximities. I have a 7.1 setup at my store, and it definitely helps. The imaging is more definite, and more detail can be heard. However, it's a big jump in price and installation difficulty for a very small benefit. I can't imagine it being worth the trouble for 90% of the population, who are already trying to cram five speakers into their living space.

 

[LoudMusic]

I also thought that for rear sub it was x.2, but I'm probably wrong.

8.2?

 

[Omnis]

would 7.1 be foward, right, left, foward R, foward L, rear left, rear right?

i think thats about right.