Pro Logic to 5.1 to 6.1 to 7.1... and onward
May 22 '01
The Bottom Line You can try any one of these setups, of which you'll be garanteed excellent sound.
Ah, good old pro logic, anyone here got that set up? If you have, setting up a home cinema may not be so costly after all. While with your pro logic setup, you’ll get only DTS & Dolby Digital 5.1 sound forms. But if you wish to go through to Dolby EX or DTS ES Matrix or the next generation in surround sound, you can find it all here in this guide. [By the way, I’d recommend you flow through the whole page, rather than pop in at a section, as it refers back to another area]
First to the basics;
1. Pro Logic to Dolby Digital/DTS
Does This Have Anything To Do With a DVD Player?
Of course it does, silly. In a Pro Logic setup, the DVD players with an inbuilt decoder are designed for pro logic amps. This is why they came with them! The old Pro Logic set-ups have five channels, which have a mono rear, the rear though have two inputs, one for each right and left channel. You can use you DVD players 5.1 exit to the Pro Logic amplifier to give you the Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 sound, thus reducing costs from unneeded amplifiers/receivers. So it sounds like an ideal idea, but only if you have the pro logic setup. I must admit, though, not all pro logic set-ups have a 5 channel input, so a full upgrade may be in order. If you do though, you can still enjoy the wonderful 5.1 sound still. All without the .1 low frequency sound though.
Connections
Run the video feed from your DVD player to the TV, and three pairs of phono cable to the Pro Logic amp. The speakers should already be there too.
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2. From scratch to 5.1
How much do I pay? What do I need?
Ah but its so, so simple… You see, you’ll first need you player; the DVD player should have the DTS & Dolby Digital symbols on the front, but does NOT require the inbuilt decoder. The decoding process can be handled by a 5.1 receiver (for information consult this guide; http://www.epinions.com/content_939958404); this is a big box of tricks where you connect all you home cinema components to, this will give amplification to speakers and inputs so you can switch between VCR and DVD player, LD player, CD player or anything you desire. Next you’ll need one of two speaker systems;
1). You buy a complete system, which includes floor-standing front speakers, with stand-mounting rears, and a centre channel too. The floorstanders should give sufficient bass, so a subwoofer won’t be needed. Unless you wish to add one of course. (For more information on subwoofers read the guide; http://www.epinions.com/content_1423155332)
2). A satellite system; which incorporates five small speakers plus an active subwoofer. I don’t prefer these, because they sound terrible with music, but are small and space saving.
The 5.1 stands for; two stereo channels + centre + two surround, and the ‘.1’ is the low frequency in the sounds.
Connections
Run a digital cable (I prefer the COAX – electrical type) from the DVD player to the receiver, a video feed to the receiver and from the receivers output to the TV. Connect each speaker to the corresponding output on the amp, and use a test tone generator to balance the speakers.
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3. From scratch to 6.1/7.1
What’s that then?
Ah, now this is for true audiophiles. 6.1 simply adds an additional centre rear, just like the front centre; it adds more surround sound, more atmosphere. As for 7.1, well I can say, its really new. I haven’t seen many, in fact no actual receivers which handle it. I can only guess it is a fourth channel to the rear. All you need to know, is to change your receiver. Do exactly the same as above, but get a 6.1/7.1 receiver, and a 6.1/7.1 speaker setup. You don’t need any specific player, just the right decoding. Some receivers need an additional amp to power the rear channels. The connections are also the same.
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4. Making music from my Home Theatre
Well I could use my DVD player to play CDs, and receiver to power my speakers….
STOP! Before you consider even thinking of using a receiver as a stereo amplifier, you should consider an alternative to buying a receiver. That is unless you have already bought one. If you haven’t you may want to consider an alternative:
If you read entertainment/electrical reviews of receivers these days, you can bet they say something like, average in stereo, this means it is not better than a conventional (equally priced) amplifier. I have heard that many receivers are no better than £200 stereo amplifiers. Ok you are compensating that with three or more other channels and more features, but until the manufacturers of receivers fix the stereo reproduction there is no better alternative that to…
Combine a stereo amplifier with a surround processor!
Why?
I’ll tell you why.
1). It’s cheaper
2). It’s just as good, no, better sounding.
3). It’s not hard to do!
Let me explain…
A processor is what decodes the encoded information from the DVD player, this information is passed onto the processors amplification section – this amplifies the centre, and rear surround channels, leaving the front two to be dealt with you stereo amp.
How?
Well its simple; on the processor there is outputs for each channels (righ left, centre, rear etc…) you simply connect the front stereo to you stereo amplifier. If you get a processor with a pre out for the front, you should use this. The pre out will vary the amount of volume for your stereo amp, though you may have to crank up the volume to max to achieve this. Unless you have a power amp; connect the front pre out to your stereo power amps inputs, and you can control the power amps volume from the processor.
If on the other hand you want the simpler setup, simply connect the outputs for front (from the processor) to your stereo amp, and use a balancer (which comes with the processor) to balance the channels; the front with the rest. Just turn your stereo amp to a good level for listening, and balance the processor for that level.
Once you have that set up you’ll want a CD player (if you want) as the DVD player won’t be as good with CDs. Now you will get surround sound, with no expense of musicality.
All you need next is the speakers.
Connections
The DVD player needs a digital cable to the processor; the processor needs a pair of phono cables to the stereo amp; the DVD player goes strait to the TV.
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Silly setup for 6.1!
What’s this one about?
This is my last attempt for a surround setup including 6.1 channel sound. What you’ll need; is only three stereo amplifiers; a DVD player; six speakers (or three pairs); a 6.1 decoder; and the cables.
First, the amplifiers, you’ll need three stereo amplifiers. WHY? Well with the decoder, you’ll be receiving 6 channels (plus the.1 channel) which need amplification, and instead of wasting music quality, by using stereo amp you won’t risk anything. For a decent setup buy the budget range, less than $200/£150, this will give excellent music sound. From the decoder you’ll need three pairs of phono cable to each amp. Use one amp for the front, another for the rear and the other for the centre front and centre rear. By using the same amp you will be getting exactly the same wattage for each channel, and the same sound. Buy a CD player and you’ll get even better music sound; buy a DVD audio player, and you have music heaven, with full surround music. From the DVD player, you use a digital cable to connect to the decoder, the signal from the decoder is amplified and giving a direct 6.1 sound field. As for speakers, get small standmounters for all round, or at least the same speakers. Don’t bother buying a centre channel, just lay a stand mounter on its side! That goes for the rear centre too.
It may sound odd but it will work. And it’ll work for less than a grand! I’d recommend a CD player added into the system, along with decent cable.
Cables
Don’t be pushed into buying cheap no brand cables. By buying a brand name, and paying a high price you will be guaranteed a better sound, and vision. Spend about 10% of your total setup on cables and stands. So that’s £100 for a £1000 setup. Not bad, but certainly a good idea. Buying a cheap brand will strangle your setup, reducing performance.
So in short…
What does you DVD player require? Well if your into a 5.1 from a pro logic setup, it’ll need some decoders for Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1. With the other set-ups, nothing. Only the ability to play output encoded Dolby Digital and DTS sound forms.
I was very serious about set up no. 4, receivers are not always great sounding with stereo music, and its often seen that a £800 receiver will be as good in stereo as a £150 amp; so try that setup, it works well for movies, and music, at less cost too!
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