JeTmAn

Hey guys, I recently had an argument with a friend of mine over "5.1 not being that much of a difference over Pro-logic". This argument lead to a main point over how many 5.1 systems were installed in the U.S. I said that it was perfectly reasonable to say that at least 1 million people in the U.S. have a 5.1-equipped sound system. I mean, out of 10 million sold or shipped dvd players, is this an overestimate? From the amount of feedback I've gotten from the internet, it seems right. Help me out here.

-JeTmAn

Centurion

There's differences between the two, big time!
The rears are in stereo in the 5.1 audio track and discrete. They get an audio source specifically for that channel. The LFE also gets an audio feed created specifically for your subwoofer.
The result is a much fuller, soundstage and an encompassing sonic experience you won't find ("hear") with Pro-logic.

The most convincing way to demonstrate this is to have your friend listen to 5.1 and switch to Pro-logic. A sort of A/B comparison of the same movie would be best. Also, use movies that travel from one speaker to the other, travel behind you, and have explosive bass.

My recommendation's:
Dragonheart (DTS)
Matrix
Godzilla
Saving Private Ryan (DTS)
MIB (DTS)
ID4
Jurassic Park/Lost World (DTS)
T2 Ultimate (DTS)

.....there's plenty more that make your rear speakers work overtime but this is a good list to start with.

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"You had me at hello.....tear." --Dr. Evil

Centurion

Oh, about the numbers.....

I don't know if they're correct, but what I was trying to elude to in my previous post is "hearing is believing."

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"You had me at hello.....tear." --Dr. Evil

JeTmAn

Well, that would be nice if I HAD rear speakers. However, we were discussing the new bigscreen we just got for the basement of our dorm. It's going to get its own dvd player, and surround sound. But the surround sound is Pro-Logic, which my friend says isn't that different than 5.1. We all know differently, but my friend is....well, an idiot. I gathered many many sources from the internet to show him this and he is still so obstinate he won't believe me. We argue like this all the time, but alas....anyways I won't be able to showcase the difference because all that will be available is Pro-Logic. However, I'm looking into a 5.1 setup for my pc, so maybe I'll be able to change his mind then. I don't think I know anyone with a discrete 5.1 setup in the building, unfortunately. My neighbor downstairs has 5.1 speakers, but no decoder (yet...he's looking into getting a dvd player). So, who knows.....I think I might get the Klipsch system or maybe the Cambridge one since the Klipsch is technically 4.1 and doesn't come with a decoder anyway.

-JeTmAn

Len2000

You're friend's an idiot alright! I've never met him and I can tell already...

But seriously - when I first bought my 5.1 system I went to a couple of specialist stores to really listen to the differences in DPL and DD5.1 (DTS for that matter). This definately did it for me. So maybe that's what you should do with your friend:

Leave the house, it will be nice to get out once in a while anyway and take him to a dealer that has some good equipment for sale. I mean "good" but still affordable. You might need to make an appointment with the dealer to really listen. Maybe try a Yamaha RXV 795a (if that's still available - it's the one I got 1.5 years ago) or an Onkyo 676. You will notice:

THE DIFFERENCE IS HUGE

DPL is not even close ! Matrixed channels were nice in the early nineties.

BTW - You may consider buying a set that can decode the new 6.1 feeds, you'll have to decide about that. For demo purposes, DD5.1 or DTS5.1 will do. Count on that.

Len

Kenwood

Moving to Hardware Forum

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JeTmAn

I think I'm going to be getting the Cambridge Soundworks DTT2500 5.1 setup........it's supposed to be pretty good, as while not nearly as powerful or good-sounding as the Klipsch pc setup, it IS in actual 5.1 (Klipsch is 4.1), and it comes with a decoder, which I need. I'm also going to get a hardware decoder for my dvd player so I can have 5.1 output to goto my Cambridge receiver......all in all it should sound pretty nice, and I will be the only guy with DISCRETE 5.1 sound in my building, I believe. Everyone else has either Pro-Logic or just non-discrete 5.1 (no decoder), so this will be nice.

-JeTmAn

Centurion

Hey look what I found buried deep down in the archives!

Anyway I was wondering, Jetman, what your friend thinks now about Dolby Pro Logic vs. DD 5.1 now that it is much more widely accepted.

Not that DD 5.1 wasn't accepted back in 2000 but just wanted to know if your friend is still as ignorant as he was then.

juanmgonzalez

Jetman is probably stuck in front of a tv right now listening to movies in 5.1 all day to even care about this thread