This has been bothering me since the very day I bought my first home theatre system, standard 5 speakers set. On DTS soundtrack of Saving Private Ryan 2-disc;

Is it normal for the back speakers not to include any verbal effects e.g. shouting?

Is it normal for rain or other natural sounds like insects or birds to be quieter compared to exact natural sounds from front speakers, while flying bullets and explosions loudness are constant through out?

Is this normal?

The black bar thing on top, I guess it is not normal but what could cause it?

Thanks all.

1) It depends on the recording. I remember there's some scene in the movie which contains verbal effects from the surround speaker. But normally, dialogue would only come out from the front and especially center speaker.

2) Usually it is. Surround speaker mostly used for ambience. But you can crank the volume a little bit higher than the front speaker to the desired level.

3) I'm not sure. Probably its your player thing. Is it always happen to other movie?

Yeah, it just depends on the sound design. Bullets will have a more dramatic effect when they're whizzing around the soundfield.

Does that little thin black bar appear throughout the movie and on all players? If only on the PC, it might just be the player. I can't check mine right now...

Get a SPL meter and calibrate your system. Odds are strong that the volume between center, front and surround is way off if you did it by ear.

I don't know about that particular disc, but most verbal effects will come through the center channel. If you feel your speakers aren't at the same level, I encourage you to purchase a calibration dvd like AVIA and a sound meter.

Yep, most of the action/dialogue should be directed at the front soundstage. The rear channels are for ambience and background music, etc.

Phew, thanks a lot and yes that black bar thing appears on all players. I think I will just re-place the disc.