Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Hans F. on November 21, 2001 at 17:50:29

OK, granted. Home theatre Dolby 5.1 or other multi-speaker environments are popular when it comes to viewing/listening to DVD's. However, there are also many people who DO NOT care for Dolby 5.1 or DTS or whatever! Many of us are quite content with viewing a DVD just hooked up to our TV's left and right stereo speakers! Or, in my case, my 2 channel McIntosh amp and Magnepan speakers! So why are many DVD's release with only a Dolby 5.1 surround soundtrack and NO ability to choose a Dolby 2.0 option in the setup or audio options menu? Is it possible that if you are watching a DVD with your player hooked up to a 2 channel receiver or preamp/amp or your TV's stereo speakers, you are getting all the proper audio cues going to your L and R speakers anyway, if the DVD is only a Dolby 5.1 encoded one? Does the DVD player properly 'mix' the multichannel sound to only 2 channel such that NO information is lost? I sure hope so! Otherwise, there should ALWAYS be the option of being able to choose Dolby 2.0 when we watch DVD's!! Film/DVD company executives, please take note!!!