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In Reply to: Without an SPL meter, correct setup is unlikely posted by bstan on December 31, 2001 at 12:41:12:
To clarify a couple of points: On some movies I do defeat the centre channel. I also have the Video Essentials disc. I have found it quite helpful in setting up the TV. I am digging around for an SPL meter.The main point is that on mono material the processor feeds everything to the centre channel. As a result, I believe that with well setup stereo speakers you can do without the expense and complexity of the centre speaker. On a good stereo setup mono will appear to come from the between the loudspeakers. Thus why bother with the centre channel. Let's face it, aside from action/adventure/war movies, a lot of films focus on dialogue which is mono. As a result there is little or nothing that comes from the other 4 speakers in the system. That begs the question, Why are they there? Clearly, movie transfer to DVD has a ways to come and on the right movies there is info on the other channels. I think it comes down to the type of movies that you like to watch. With certian types go for full blown hometheatre, but if you enjoy mainly drama, then HT is likely overkill.
Follow Ups:
Actually I pick up lots of spatial cues from 5 channel movie surround in lots of pictures that are not action/adventures.God examplesof 3D spatial cues include voices and music in various building sizes, or outside. Also, the way a sound intentionally pans across the soundstage (especially if it goes crosswise front to back).
The best realistic 3D example (DTS) I've experienced in my home relates to a previous life experience I had in Vietnam.
In the movie "Dances with Wolves" there is a scene where Kevin Kostner is being fired upon in the Civil War, where a bullet whizzes by narrowly missing his head (maybe 6" to a foot). This spatial cue was a front to back soundstage pan. My brain has that sound burned into it's memory and when I experienced that sound in the movie, my body instinctively ducked it was so real.
bstan
I went with a couple of veterans to see Saving Private Ryan. Their reaction to the beach landing was somewhat similar to yours.
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