What is Dolby Digital 3/2.1 CH

[Froze]

I don´t have the option Dolby Digital 5.1 on the DVD player for the TV. Instead, when the audio button of the remote is pushed the option Dolby Digital 3/2.1 CH comes up.
Is there some difference?
Hope I´m not missing some fine sound. Tried to change audio settings in the menu of the player (Pioneer DV 370) but without success. It´s the same thing with different DVD´s.

Pioneer support couldn´t answer the question.

Hope someone is wiser than me and them.

[blutach]

That is 5.1 It means 3 channels in the front, 2 at the rear and one LFE channel (subbie).

Regards

[techreactor]

the option Dolby Digital 3/2.1 CH comes up.

I doubt that Blu, 2.1 would mean two front channels + 1 sub-woofer.

Froze, how many audio output ports do you see at the back of your player ??

how many speakers do you have connected to your amp/player ??.

5 (front left + front right + Center and Rear left surround + rear right surround) .1(one sub woofer) is base minimum for good surround(leave aside Virtual surround).

[Zero G]

blutach is correct. My sony players show Dolby Digital 5.1 like that. Definitely 5.1

[nwg]

Blu is right.

I have Sony kit. It is their way of showing DD 5.1 (3 front, 2 rear and 1 subwoofer)

[Furiousg]

By that context, would they represent a 7.1 track with 3/4.1???

[nwg]

By that context, would they represent a 7.1 track with 3/4.1???

Afaik, there is no such thing as proper 7.1 audio yet. Some amps can use Dolby Pro Logic IIx to produce 7.1. Most DVD's fake it by using DD EX and DTS ES amnd craete matrixed rear speakers.

There is Dolby Digital plus but I am not aware of any home amps that do that yet. This can do up to 13.1 channels.

If a proper 7.1 did appear then, 3/4.1 would sound about right.

[Furiousg]

Ahhh, so there are still only 5 discrete channels of audio ( plus LFE ) and they "simulate" the extra 2 rear ones. I'm glad I didnt spend the moolah earlier when I was looking at a new receiver. Any ideas when such a mix will be more available??

[Zero G]

Considering how many theatres are still only Pro Logic, I'm guessing it will be a bit before it becomes main stream for all but special applications.

[blutach]

Nah - they simulate the side ones. The rear ones are coded.

And, yes, my SONY has this readout too. Otherwise, I would have assumed the same as you techreactor.

Regards

[nwg]

I am still using only 5.1 and see no point in anymore as my setup is in my small bedroom. I don't have the room for all my equipment and certainly not anymore speakers.

I believe Gladiator R2 and R4 is DD 6.1. (DD EX). This has a extra rear centre speaker. There is DD 7.1 but I am not aware of any home DVD's that support this.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/dolby_ex.html

DTS ES is the DTS 6.1 equivalent.

I believe setting a amp to DD EX or DTS ES with a 5.1 audio track will create a fake matrix rear centre speaker. The matrix is a good DVD to show DD ES which demonstrates it (the bullet dodging scene on the roof).

To make it more confusing some DVD's state DD EX Matrix and DD EX Discrete (same for DTS ES). Matrix indicates the audio creates a matrixed fake channel and Discrete is a proper dedicated sixth channel.

[Zero G]

In all honesty, other than having the extra rear centre channel in 6.1, how much coverage do we need? I'm running 5.1 in a large area of my rec room, and it's more than enough. Any more speakers and it would be too hard to enter the viewing area.

[nwg]

It might sound good having a rear centre speaker but a good mixed audio track should be able to duplicate it using the left and right rears. Listening to Resident Evil Apocalypse. At the end, the nemesis walks off through the centre of the room and carries on past the rear speakers and into the background. It was quite something to hear. I also heard similar sound effects with Tanks and Band of Brothers. They sounded like they were going across the room just in front of me.

I have seen setups that have four rear speakers and four speakers at the right/left sides between the fronts and rear speakers (two one each side). I haven't got a clue what format that would be on a amp.

[Furiousg]

I have experienced a few viewing rooms that have ridiculous setups similar to those nwg ( local audio/video dealer home ), and I have been less than impressed by the presentation. I believe a properly tweaked 5.1 will more than satisfy my tastes ( but alas I am sure to be proven wrong ), and as stated, I dont really have the room to house many more drivers

[Zero G]

I find that DTS tracks seem to fill the room better than Dolby Digital. They sound more spatial. Resident Evil Apocalypse did have a nice mix to it.