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In Reply to: Watching DVD's with only 2 audio channels (stereo). posted by Zeus on April 27, 2001 at 11:56:49:
Either that, or trolling.1) Unless you're one person sitting in the "sweet spot," you need a quality center channel speaker. That's where the dialogue and 70-80% of the sound comes from.
2) Unless you have *terrific* speakers (and most of us don't) you need a sub to reproduce the low frequency effects of explosions, dinosaur footsteps, etc. etc. Even decent-quality floorstanders with solid extension to, say, 35 Hz won't truly cut it.
3) What happens in your system when a jet plane flies by or there is action behind or on the side of you? My rear effects speakers deliver this information to me. Your 2-channel system, as nice as it may be, simply doesn't.
4) Go to a quality movie theater and sit dead center of the screen in a middle row. Look around. You'll see four or five banks of drivers on each side of the theater. THAT'S what home theater is all about -- recreating that same sonic experience (perhaps, I will grant, to a lesser degree) in one's living environment.
Using a DVD player & quality projection screen in 2-channel mode is like those soccer moms who buy SUVs with 4-wheel-drive capability yet never leave the pavement . . .
Follow Ups:
Two channels of quality audio can be quite satisfying.
Your arrogance shines through with your reply!To imply that I may be trolling, just because my idea of what audio system method is 'proper' or preferred when watching home DVD's is ridiculous! Do you usually state that someone is trolling just because their opinions differ from yours? C'mon man. There are no rules that state we all have to go full-blown 5.1 surround or DTS just because we own a DVD player and hi-scan projection TV!! Jeez!
You didn't read my post correctly. Yes, when you have a surround system hooked up, the dialogue comes primarily via a center channel speaker, but when you have a 2 channel setup like mine, and choose Dolby 2.0 in a DVD's menu, you get ALL the dialogue piped through your left and right channels. So technically, you're not missing anything. That is adequate for many, including me.
Many things are relative, including how much base a person is happy with as well. Compared to a TV's speakers, the bass extension of my Paradigms is ample enough for me. I can STILL hear good explosions, dinosaur feet, or jets engines via my Paradigms (2 channels). It cuts it for me.
In addition, some people don't give a rat's derriere about sound effects going across one's environment, including audio cues to the rear. Besides, a decent 2 channel system with a synthetic surround spatial processor sounds pretty good to me, and I am pretty demanding to begin with. Many individuals are just happy enough with the sound quality a good 2 channel DVD home theatre setup will give you, especially considering it is a vast improvement over the built-in speakers most TV's have.
Lastly, your assertion that using a 2 channel setup with a quality DVD home theatre screen is like a soccer mom's limited forays with her 4WD SUV is retarded! That is completely different, as a soccer mom likes to KNOW she has the means when the weather goes bad, as it often does in the wintertime or any other time of year with road flooding, etc (pavement degradation). If I had to reply with an equally stupid analogy, I would say something like people who listen to DVD's with only 2 channels are like those that want a Porsche 911 Turbo but can only afford a VW GTI. On the other hand, many CAN afford the Porsche, but are content enough with the humbler, but still nice GTI.
So, to sum things up, I think 2 channel DVD is OK for many, but it is not for everyone. Ditto for 5.1 surround (or any multi-speaker surround for that matter).
I think the bare minimum home theater has at least four speakers: the two front mains AND the surrounds. This will enable the listner to be enveloped in the movie's soundtrack, rather than "just" hearing it. For several years I listened to just two speakers, and it did sound very good. But it was definitely missing that fun stuff many soundtrack engineers work so hard to create for the viewer. And sometimes you will notice onscreen characters looking "behind" you at something that is coming from the surrounds-obviously, if there are no speakers back there, this isn't going to happen, and will detract from the realism of the scene. And with most of those virtual/3-D/spatializer systems, you usually have to sit EXACTLY in front and in the center of the mains to hear the surround effects. Not good for large groups! (Of course this is all irrelevant if you only watch "serious" films with little or no rear effects.)
1) Unless you're one person sitting in the "sweet spot," you need a quality center channel speaker. That's where the dialogue and 70-80% of the sound comes from.I disagree 100% but beg you to convince me otherwise.
If you own a good to superb pair of stereo speakers (pref. full range or close), I simply see NO WAY hoe a center channel with half as many drivers (at best!) can handle the sheer volume and amount of information as adequately.
You are right the center channel gets 70-80% of the info (dialogue specifically, but it really gets a TON of the whole front soundfield). What cc that you know of could handle that as well as a superb main speaker (2 channel full range speaker)?
Peronally I love surround, think rears make sense and can be used to good effect,
But this center channel thing has NEVER seemed right to me (per my experience I mean- basically every system I have heard with one can be improved by eliminating it and using "Phantom" center.I agree with you about subs- they are needed.
You say
"Using a DVD player & quality projection screen in 2-channel mode is like those soccer moms who buy SUVs with 4-wheel-drive capability yet
never leave the pavement . . ."As someone who has a 2 channel set-up with a projector, I think we can agree your comment is a bit exaggerated, is it not?
Otherwise I might be a bit upset.DG
NT
(nt)
The replies to my post conveniently neglected to mention my principal point, which was to go into a movie theater and see how their gear is set up. A good home theater system (and, I must admit, I would give mine no more than a "4" on a scale of 1-10, perhaps even a "3.5") aims to recreate this capability in the home environment.The 2-channel system outlined by the first poster no doubt sounds excellent. But it ain't home theater. End of story.
NT
Each person has their own likings and dislikes. It is your own personal preferernces. if your happy with 2 channels thats great! but I prefer DTS via 5 channels. I like to feel the whispers of voices and the air in horror movies breathing down the back of my neck rather than into my face!
nt
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