Hi all,

Does anyone know how the next generation players will work with current DD and DTS surround systems. Right now I have a Yamaha 5.1 receiver. Will I need to upgrade my receivers or will that remain status quo ??

And more importantly, will there be any sound improvement over the current DVD formats. I've got HDTV at the house and it does look better than regular dvd. Can I also expect big improvements in sound with the next gen players ??

Cheers,
Jas

Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will use "HiDef" audio. Currently audio is only 6 tracks (5.1). Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will use 8 tracks (7.1). Also, the bit rate will be higher, and even uncompressed audio. If you have the equipment, there will be much improvement.

Right on...thanks for the info. So will those with with standard 5.1 receivers have improved sound as well ??

I'd love to have 7.1, but the wife would kill me if I put up any more speakers - lol.

Yes.

If you have a receiver with multichannel inputs, you can use them (much as the users of SACD and DVD-Audio). The player will decode.

Alternately, you can just use the current digital (coaxial or optical) input, and set the player to decode and reencode as high-bitrate Dolby Digital 5.1. I read once that more than 90 percent of the population couldn't tell a Dolby Digital 640 kbps track from the lossless uncompressed one.

I wouldn't mind having to buy another receiver and of course the player is a gimme. It's the damn TV that's the craps. Just because mine has only component, they wont let me watch HD movies...bastards!!!