The "direct" mode means that no sound matrixing is applied. That means that if the source is 5.1, then in direct mode you will get 5.1 just like the source had intended. When you don't use direct, you apply sound processing like Pro Logic IIx or THX Cinema. Those sound fields will matrix the source into 7.1 and more often than not, they will degrade the sound. I use direct for all of my movies but I do use THX for some games.
|