Video Asylum

Posted by Dave Z on July 29, 1999 at 13:29:52:

In Reply to: Re: Pioneer DV-414. Is this a good DVD Player? posted by Darren A. on July 29, 1999 at 10:51:41:

Thanks very much for the info Darrin. You answered my questions, but also illicited a few more. When you were talking about 5.1, the format I understood. I guess my main question is this: I know my Denon 1700 has 5.1 capability, and I had assumed that all DVD's were recorded with this audio format in mind. Yet, when I was watching a movie last night, my audio settings were saying Dolby Digital, 2 channels. I also have the option for Dolby Digital ---> PCM. I also have 3 other audio format settings, Linear PCM, MPEG and DTS. I don't see a setting anywhere for 5.1 .

One of the main reasons I went to DVD was to get 5.1 sound, rather than Dolby Pro Logic, which I already had. I am suffering a 25" TV at present, so it certainly wasn't for the picture, although improvement is always nice. I have the feeling that I already am getting 5.1, through Dolby Digital, but I was just hoping for some more info on it. I hate not understanding things.

So, when my audio is saying 2 channels, am I missing out on performance? I'd like to know now, so I can re-adjust my system if necessary, while it's still a returnable/exchangable purchase.

Thanks very much for your help.

Dave Z

Quick run-down on my system:

Denon AVR-1700
NHT VT-1.2's, right and left
NHT VS-1.2 Center
JBL-2500 rears, old but adequate for now
Pioneer DV-414 DVD Player
Panasonic PV-4551 Hi-Fi VCR

Oh, lastly, I do have a question concerning my picture quality. You were saying that my current single video out is inadequate. Is that why my picture hesitates from time to time? I also notice this with my digital cable system, and it's quite annoying. I am afraid I might be limited by my television in this case, as the only video inputs it has are the straight RCA composite and coax for cable. Is there a way to get around this shortcoming? Again, thanks!