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Choosing the right audio source

post #1 of 7
9/19/09 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
 I have an Onkyo reciever with 7.1 audio and overall I'm pretty happy with Neo:6 for movies.  My input is either Tivo from Charter cable or a Blu Ray player. I do have all the speakers set up and the Audyssy seemed to do a pretty good job of balancing the speakers to the room.

What source is going to give me the audio most accurate to what the sound designer intended?  I've heard that Neo 6 is "synthetic" 7.1.  Other choices are PLIIX Movie, and PLIIX Movie, Dolby D Ex, Dolby D.

Thanks for the input.
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post #2 of 7
9/19/09 at 7:05pm
Neo:6 is simulated 6.1 surround, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx is simulated 7.1 surround. DPL IIx will take a stereo or 5.1 surround signal, and make it 7.1 surround, if you have 7.1 setup.
From regular dvds, the best sound is Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital ES, DTS, and DTS EX.
From Blu ray movies, the best sound is going to be Dolby TrueHD, dtsHD Master Audio.
For tv watching, I use DPL IIx, since I have a 7.1 setup.
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post #3 of 7
9/19/09 at 7:55pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the response. I'll try DPL IIx for cable tv.  However, I don't have TrueHD or dtsHD, for Blu Ray -- should I try Dolby D Ex?

Of course, I do my own listening tests, just want to get some outside opinions on which is technically the most "accurate" to what is on the original source.

I did not know that Neo 6 is actually 6.1 (which is what I have in my editing room).

Another question: how can I determine whether the original source is 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1?  Are DVDs, Blu Rays or cable TV even consistent on what audio they contain?

Thanks
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post #4 of 7
9/19/09 at 10:09pm
It says on the dvd and blu ray box, what soundtracks it has on the disc.
The most you'll get from tv is stereo or 5.1 (stations that broadcast in 5.1). The most you'll get from regular dvd is 6.1, and they are few and far between. Some blu ray movies are in 7.1 (only in TrueHD and dtsHD MA), and more coming out all the time. No such thing as 7.1 on a regular dvd.
Star Wars movies are Dolby Digital EX and Lord of the Rings (Extended Editions) are DTS ES.

Why don't you have TrueHD and dtsHD for blu ray? Are you using a ps3 with an older receiver, or what? If you don't have TrueHD or dtsHD capability, Dolby Digital and DTS is the best you'll get, using digital coax or optical cable connection. If the disc has Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES (had them backwards before) soundtracks on it, then you'll be able to get that.
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post #5 of 7
9/20/09 at 7:00am
Hi Blain,

Wich Onkyo do you have?

After a 18 months I "think" I finally settled on THX Select.  I came to this conclusion after watching a DTS Demo DVD while switching between modes.  Of course I'll change my mind in a few months


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post #6 of 7
9/20/09 at 7:09am
Thread Starter 
Thanks all, very helpful.

My receiver is an Onkyo SR505.  Good receiver but limited functions. doesn't have TrueHD or dtsHD.  Eventually, I'll upgrade, but spent so much on the plasma, that will have to wait a bit.
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post #7 of 7
9/20/09 at 9:38am
Your 505 has the 7.1 multi-channel analog inputs, so if your blu ray player has the 7.1 multi-channel analog outputs, you can have Dolby TrueHD and dtsHD MA. It just won't say that across the front of the receiver. Just FYI, in case you didn't know already.
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