Basic DVD-Audio question (1 Viewer)

[Angelo.M]

A dumb question, which a search of HTF and a DVD-Audio FAQ webpage didn't clear-up for me.

My neighbor bought a few DVD-A's; she doesn't have a DVD-Audio player. I realize that the multi-channel track on these discs will play in her DVD player. The kicker is this: she doesn't have a full speaker set-up, just left/right front, a center channel and a sub.

She asked me if she should return the discs, or if she can get some use out of them. I have no experience w/ DVD-A, so I didn't answer. :frowning:

 

[John-Miles]

Tell her to get the other two speakers she is missing, otherwise she will be missing a big part of the music.

 

[Angelo.M]

John:

Can the DVD-Video player downmix the multichannel tract to allow for 2-channel playback?

 

[Craig F]

Since her player is not a DVD-Audio player, then what she is playing is either Dolby Digital or DTS; both of which can always be downmixed to 2 channel stereo. Setting the DVD player to output PCM rather than Bitstream will accomplish this.

 

[Angelo.M]

Craig:

Thanks. That's what I suspected.

 

[Brian L]

And if she downmixes to 2.0 Pro Logic, she may have a Dolby 3CH mode on her receiver that will take into account the lack of surround speakers.

But getting the surround speakers is still the better option.

BGL

 

[Craig_Kg]

She can just play them like she plays ordinary DVDs. I assume her receiver is set up to have fronts/center/sub 'yes' and rears 'no'. If not, this is the way her receiver should be set (with center and fronts set to 'large' or 'small' depending on size).

 

[Angelo.M]

Terrific help all around. Many thanks.