If I get a 7.1 receiver do I have to use 7.1 (1 Viewer)

[brianflick]

I really don't see the need for 7.1, especailly in my room (14'x18', 7.5' ceiling basement), 5.1 is more then enough. Most of the better receivers out there now are 7.1. Can I run 5.1 set-up with a 7.1 receiver? Most the todays BRs, DVDS, and xbox/ps3 games are done in 5.1 not 7.1 anyhow.

 

[John Brill]

Yes, most, if not all, 7.1 channel recievers give you the option to run in 5.1 mode turning off 2 surround channels.


JB

 

[Dave Moritz]

Not only can you run 5.1 with many of these recievers but many of them will allow you to assign the unused amplifiers to another zone. So if you run the 7.1 in a 5.1 configuration you could at least use 2 unused channels to play music in another room from the reciever, single disc or multi disc cd player.