which HT in box will receive movies on TV with surround sound (if movie recorded in Dolby 5.1)?

Question

Most home theatres allow for surround sound from movies played on your DVD. Which system will give you surround sound when viewing TV movies that were recorded with Dolby 5.1?

Answer 1

Any that say they support Dolby Prologic. If you are using the RCA out jacks on your TV, digital cable box or satellite box, then the only surround sound available is prologic since the extra channels must be matrixed onto the 2 channel stereo tracks. You will need a HT system that has Dolby Digital with either optical or coaxial digital inputs AND the same digital output on your satellite or digital cable receiver (or HDTV terrestrial receiver). This is the only way you can get true 5.1 sound via broadcast. Note that not all broadcasts are even in 5.1. Many digital PPV movies are, and some of the premium channels, but most TV is not broadcast in Dolby Digital.

Answer 2

When it comes to HTIBs the most imortant thing that you need to look for is to ensure that the system has a fiber optic input. This will be the connection that your digital source will connect to. What a lot of people get confused with is that they see the icon come up in the bottom of the screen about 5.1 surround sound and think that all they need is a surround system. That isn't always the case based on what your current system entails. You must have a source that outputs Dolby Digital surround sound via either an Optical Cable, or a Digital Coaxial cable. If you have a high definition source like HD Satellite or HD Cable then your box will be equipped with the correct output. If you have an HDTV with a built in HD Tuner then your television will have a fiber optic output to connect to the receiver. But you must have an antenna connected to the TV for your local HDTV broadcasts to utilize that output for 5.1.

This all seems a little confusing, but basically it boils down to you needing the proper outputs, and connections, then you are good to go.

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