Sorry if I sound like an airhead, but I'm really knew to this. Anyway, here's the question: What does 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 mean when talking about receivers? Is that how many speakers you need or is it something else? Thanks!

Kathy

5.1 means: 5 speakers and a subwoofer (the ".1"). Typically, the 5 speakers would be 2 fronts, a center, and 2 surrounds.

6.1 means: 6 speakers and a subwoofer (the ".1"). Typically, the 6 speakers would be 2 fronts, a center, 2 surrounds, and one rear center.

7.1 means: 7 speakers and a subwoofer (the ".1"). Typically, the 7 speakers would be 2 fronts, a center, 2 side surrounds, and 2 rear surrounds.


One other thing to keep in mind... If you see a receiver that's "6.1," it doesn't mean you have to have 6 speakers and a sub, but rather that the receiver is capable of sending signals to that many. Same for 5.1 and 7.1.

That's correct Kathy. The .1 is the subwoofer and the first number is usually the number of surround speakers.

Most People are very happy with 5.1DD/DTS for the price vs performance plus 6.1+ encoded soundtracks are scarce

5.1 = Center/Front Left and Right Channels/Rear Left and Right channels/ and 1 Subwoofer

DTS is 5.1 but encoded differently

EDIT*
Steve beat me ....

Hey -- more information is better than less.

Ok thanks guys for going into such great detail for me, I appreciate it!

Kathy

Just to clarify, it's not the number of surround speakers, but the total number of speakers, including surrounds.

Nice job// I feel better!
Ok, this is my wish list!

Sony 1075=6 discrete amps( not really what I want)

denon 3802= possibly in my budget
Yamaha 2200= Tempting
Onkyo 898= divorce at Christmas


Kathy, If you have not bought, be sure to check the specks for 5or6or7 discrete separate amps and dolbyII.

Would it be more accurate to say that the .1 refers to LFE? That would include subs and buttkickers.

One more point: I've heard lots of folks say that 6.1 and/or 7.1 isn't worth it because there aren't that many DVD's coded correctly. I for one am trying to plan for the future, and in the meantime, I'm enjoying all the channels.

YES/WE HAVE BANANNAS

I got in a pissing contest in another forum over this issue!!! 5.1 is all there is! period. Someone said I was wrong and I was. See list of 6.1 below. You can still use the 6 discrete amps and dolby II for all your stuff if you so wish!!! The discrete 5 independent amps and a quality unit is the min. 5 will do fine. Dolby II fills in the brain dead rear amps with a stereo signal. Nice when listening to stereo cds=thats all there is!!!

6 or 7 will be better

Ok thanks everyone for all the great replys, you guys were a lot of help and I ordered the (Onkyo - TXDS797). Boy, this stuff is not cheap is it? lol. Oh well, a year from now I won't even remember how much it cost me, lol. Oh and don't anyone go anywhere, because I'll be back when it comes and need more help! Thanks again everyone!

Kathy

So Far...

Dolby Digital EX
102 Dalmations
Art Of War, The*
Astronaut's Wife, The
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me*
Bad Taste*
Bats
Beastmaster*
Bone Collector, The*
Cast Away*
Caveman's Valentine, The*
Chicken Run*
Claim, The*
Exorcist:TVYNS, The*
Fight Club*
Gladiator*
Haunting, The*
Hollow Man*
Legend Of Bagger Vance, The*
Maniac
Messenger: The Story Of Joan Of Arc, The*
Mexican, The*
Mission To Mars
Opera*
Perfect Storm, The*
Pitch Black*
Rush Hour 2 - Next Tuesday
Say It Isn't
See Spot Run
Se7en: Platinum Series*
Someone Like You
Spy Kids*
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace *
Stunt Man, The *
Suspiria *
Terminator *
Terminator 2: Judgement Day: Ultimate Edition*
Toy Story 2*
Unbreakable*
World Is Not Enough, The*

DTS-ES discrete
Bad Taste*
Beastmaster*
Chicken Run*
Gladiator*
Haunting, The*
Maniac*
Opera*
Rush Hour 2 – Next Tuesday
Se7en*
Stunt Man, The *
Suspiria*

DTS-ES discrete CDs
Don Henley - End Of Innocence*
Studio Voodoo - Studio Voodoo
Cheryl Crow - Globe Sessions*

DTS-ES matrix
102 Dalmations
Bad Taste*
Beastmaster *
Bone Collector, The*
Cast Away*
Chicken Run*
Gladiator*
Haunting, The*
Legend Of Bagger Vance, The*
Maniac
Mexican, The*
Opera *
Pitch Black*
Rush Hour 2 - Next Tuesday
Se7en*
Stunt Man, The*
Suspiria*
Terminator 2: Judgement Day: Ultimate Edition*
Unbreakable*

Well eat my grits!!!! I pulled out gladiator and it is 6.1/5.1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Don't figure. The new DVD's I have are 5.1. What gives????
Nice list!!! Thanks for some real info!!!

Available DTS-ES 6.1 DVDs are listed in this thread:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=165391

GatorOne
Member

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:

Updated DTS-ES 6.1 DVD list.




102 Dalmations (M)

Bad Taste - Limited Edition

Beastmaster

Bone Collector (M)

Cast Away (M)

Chicken Run (D) (M)

Evil Dead (D)

Fifth Element - Special Edition (D)

Gladiator (D) (M)

Haunting (D)

Legend Of Bagger Vance (M)

Maniac - Special Edition (D)

Opera - Limited Edition

Pitch Black (M)

Rush Hour 2 (D)

Se7en - Platinum Series(D)

Stunt Man - Limited Edition

Suspira - Limited Edition

Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Ultimate Edition (M)

Unbreakable (M)

Vigilante


(D) DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete Surround.
(M) DTS-ES 6.1 Matrixed Surround.

Be aware that some receiver manufacturers are a bit deceptive by labeling their receivers with 6.1 or 7.1 designations in their model numbers but they are in reality 5.1 receivers!

Also, unless you have a HUGE room (something like 75' x 75') you will achieve at best a minimum improvement going from 5.1 to 6.1/7.1 surround setup!

In the words of Homer J. Simpson..."I agree with you, in theory".
Actually, I only disagree with the second part of your post. Sure having a larger listening room is nice, but room size has nothing to do with proper placement of a signal. Sure, 6.1 tracks can be played back with a 5.1 set-up, but they are mixed the way they are for a reason, and the added center back channel adds depth to the track and adds to the overall experience of watching the film with the intended sounds coming from behind the listener as intended.
Most people can't afford the luxury of having a large, dedicated HT, so are we to say they shouldn't enjoy surround sound (of any type) because of their small room?
And btw, who in the heck has a 75'x75' HT?.